The following is an excerpt from Physically Healthy and Ready to Learn.

Building Community Partnerships

THE HEALTH SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Head Start Program Performance Standards require that every Head Start program form and maintain a Health Services Advisory Committee (HSAC) to advise in the planning, operation, and evaluation of health services in Head Start and Early Head Start programs [45 CFR 1304.41(B)]. The HSAC links Head Start programs to essential persons, organizations, and resources within the community. The HSAC plays an important role in ensuring that Head Start children have medical and dental homes that will remain in place after they leave the program. The HSAC also plays an integral part in the development of health policies and procedures for Head Start programs. This committee is unique in Head Start programs because it is an internal resource: It helps programs look carefully at how high quality health services can be provided for families. It also is an external resource: It allows programs to draw on resources in the greater community to meet the needs of Head Start families. The committee is formed on a voluntary basis and composed of Head Start parents and staff, health and human services professionals, and other community volunteers who are representative of the cultural and linguistic groups served by the local Head Start program. The Head Start Program Performance Standards do not specify who or how many should serve on the committee. Rather, each Head Start program determines committee membership based on program needs that are specified by the program’s most recent community assessment. Head Start programs are creative in determining how to use the HSAC, how often it meets, and when to access members’ expertise outside of the regularly scheduled meetings. The HSAC is a valuable resource in the community assessment process because its members are knowledgeable about available community resources. The HSAC also can assist in forming partnerships between the Head Start program and local healthcare providers and building relationships between the Head Start program and the local community.