A network of caring relationships offers an ever-expanding circle of support for children and families. These caring relationships are at the heart of partnerships that are nurtured with families and forged with community partners. Welcoming opportunities for families to be involved in all aspects of the program are key to building strong relationships. This section includes ideas to enhance the family partnership process, programming to strengthen families, and community advocacy. This section also outlines strategies for working with families in crisis, ideas about communicating within family structures, information that increase employability, as well as knowledge about the core competencies of the Head Start family workers.

The information and resources are related to the subjects listed below:

Advocacy
Margaret Meade once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” This section contains materials that support families’ involvement in the community, including an article that describes how parents can use storytelling as a way to support advocacy efforts. Also available are resources about groups that support community and child advocacy. 

Communicating with Families
Interpersonal communication is key to building staff/family partnerships. Effective strategies to establish communication practices are explored in this section.

Community Services and Resources
Head Start and Early Head Start must work collaboratively with parents to identify and make referrals to services that are responsive to each family's interest and goals. This section contains resources designed to improve support services for children.

Cultural Diversity
Head Start and Early Head Start have established an atmosphere of recognition and respect for others' traditions, beliefs, practices, and cultures. This section covers the range of bilingual and multicultural services offered by Head Start and Early Head Start.

Early Head Start
Early Head Start is designed to foster healthy prenatal outcomes for expectant parents and positive development of infants and toddlers. This section contains information that addresses services for pregnant women, and guidance for Early Head Start programs outlining the family partnership process.

Employment
This section contains information on the impact of job training and adult education initiatives designed to assist families to gain meaningful employment and job opportunities.

Family Partnership Process
Head Start and Early Head Start programs must engage in a process of establishing partnerships with parents. This section includes a variety of resources designed to assist staff that work with families in identifying services and other supports.

Family Service Workers
This section provides the framework of the Head Start Family Worker Competency Goals and Indicators. Also available here is an exercise on "plain language writing."

Program Options
Head Start and Early Head Start offers a variety of program options in an effort to meet the needs of families. This section includes resources that describe different program options available to families.

Strengthening Families
The relationships within the family and the amount of support and guidance provided for young children are critical. This section includes information that describes different approaches for family support.