Organizational Leadership
Leadership and governance are the bedrocks of effective management. Head Start program leadership consists of three key entities: the governing body/Tribal Council (i.e., legal and fiscal responsibilities), Policy Council/parent committees (i.e., set program direction), and management staff (i.e., day-to-day operations). These entities work together to provide leadership and strategic direction. Explore resources to help grantees navigate these tasks and relationships. Learn how to build communication and information systems that connect internal and external stakeholders. Find resources to help design and distribute reports and manage recordkeeping activities.
Learning for New Leaders
In the Head Start A to Z, 2.0 learning modules, explore Head Start’s history, guiding regulations, and management systems. Find easy-to-adapt resources to tailor trainings for staff and other stakeholders.
Strategies for Program Leaders to Support Father Engagement
Explore strategies to expand program leadership practices related to father engagement in Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Discover opportunities for practice and reflection.
Head Start Management Systems Wheel: Guiding Questions During a Pandemic
Use the guiding questions in this version of the Head Start Management Systems Wheel to address your program's immediate and temporary needs during a pandemic.
Serving on the Policy Council
In this this tip sheet, learn more about being a Policy Council member. Find out about training and how to engage in making policy suggestions.
What Is the Policy Council?
Parents and family members often have questions about their program’s Policy Council. Explore this tip sheet to learn answers to common questions about the Policy Council.
Leaving the Policy Council
You have served on the Policy Council. Now it is time for other parents to have the opportunity to be a member. Explore this tip sheet to learn more about leaving the Policy Council.
Head Start Policy Council Series
In this series, learn how to support parents serving on your program’s Policy Council. Find tip sheets to help parents better understand how to join, ways to serve, and when to leave the Policy Council.
Joining the Policy Council
Explore this tip sheet to help you decide whether to join your program’s Policy Council.
Parent Leaders as Partners in Promoting Family Engagement
As a parent or family member serving on the Policy Council, you are part of your program’s leadership. Use this tool to reflect on how your program is partnering with families using the framework.