Pinellas County Head Start/Early Head Start believes that parents are to be respected as the primary influence in their children’s lives. They are welcomed into the planning and governance of the program and supported in their efforts to improve the lives of their families.
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About
Family Services acts as an advocate for the families by assisting them to community resources and then tracking for follow-up.
Training is also provided for families in areas such as child abuse, family violence, and budgeting.
Parents of Head Start / Early Head Start children may experience problems reaching their goals. Family Services assists them in obtaining the services required and to provide crisis intervention when necessary.
Family Servies also recruits and enrolls the children and families into Head Start / Early Head Start.
Families are given guidance to identify their goals, interests, strengths and needed services. Families are referred to appropriate community resources to help families reach their goals and meet their needs. Families in need of crisis intervention are assisted immediately.
Parent Involvement
Parents are the most important influence in a child's development.
Parent involvement in education, program planning, parent education, and operating activities is an essential part of every Head Start / Early Head Start program.
Parents are eligible for committee involvement and are urged to participate in their child's classroom and center activities.
Parents are also given the opportunity to become active members of the Head Start/Early Head Start community by participating in:
- Parent Committees
- The Policy Council
- The Board of Directors
These groups share the responsibilities, along with staff, for making decisions about how the programs are operated.
Resource Centers
A wealth of educational materials are housed in six resource rooms.
Resource materials include children and adult books, records, educational games and toys, program materials, resource films, film strips, and cassette tapes.
Materials are available for use by Head Start / Early Head Start teachers, parents, children, and staff.
Training Opportunities
- Survival Skills for Women
PCHS/EHS in conjunction with its grantee agency, Pinellas Opportunity Council (POC), offers " Survival Skills" for Women, a training module for women preparing to go into the workforce. Seventy-three percent (73%) of the Survival Skills participants completed the course to assist with transitioning back into the tax-base.
- Bridge Builders
- Visible Men
- Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Computer Literacy
- Accepting the Leadership Challenge
- Food Services Training Program
- GED Literacy/Event Start Training Program
- Parenting Classes
- Life Skills Training
- ESOL Classes
- Employment Skills Training
