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Family Engagement

Family engagement is a collaborative and strengths-based process through which early childhood professionals, families, and children build positive and goal-oriented relationships. It is a shared responsibility of families and staff at all levels that requires mutual respect for the roles and strengths each has to offer. Family engagement focuses on culturally and linguistically responsive relationship-building with key family members in a child’s life. These people include pregnant women and expectant families, mothers, fathers, grandparents, and other adult caregivers. It requires making a commitment to creating and sustaining an ongoing partnership that supports family well-being. It also honors and supports the parent-child relationships that are central to a child’s healthy development, school readiness, and well-being. The Office of Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework is a guide to learning how family engagement promotes positive, enduring change for children, families, and communities.

Strategies to Build Partnerships with Fathers

Explore this practical guide to learn more about how program staff build strong, meaningful, and authentic relationships with fathers in Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

Tips for Staff Working Remotely with Fathers

Review tips for family services staff, fatherhood coordinators, and other direct service professionals who work with Head Start and Early Head Start fathers, whether in person or virtually.

Birth to 5 Father Engagement Guide

Explore this series to learn how Head Start programs partner with fathers to promote positive outcomes for children, families, and fathers themselves.