What is Program Governance?
Program Governance is a formal structure where parents, the governing board and key management staff collaborate to make decisions about Early Head Start and Head Start programs. Both grantee and delegate agencies are responsible for ensuring parents are involved in program governance. District 65 is the grantee agency and has received funds from the federal government to administer center-based Early Head Start and Head Start programs within the city of Evanston and the Village of Skokie. As the grantee agency, District 65 (D65) chose to delegate the administration for a portion of the Early Head Start program to the Infant Welfare Society of Evanston (IWSE), the delegate agency, which provides services through a contract with D65.
How do I become involved?
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First, review the role and leadership opportunities of each Program Governance opportunity.
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Second, choose which Program Governance opportunity you would like to participate in.
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Third, recommend a friend or peer – if you know someone who would be a great volunteer or nominee, please encourage them to participate as well.
There are four different Program Governance groups:
- Parent Committee is responsible for advising staff on center-related activities, communicating with the policy council and participating in the recruitment and screening of center staff.
- The Policy Committee is responsible for the direction of IWSE’s Early Head Start programs.
- Policy Council is responsible for the direction of the D65’s Early Head Start and Head Start programs. The Policy Council includes IWSE because of services provided through the contract with D65.
- Governing Bodies, D65’s Board of Education and IWSE’s Board of Directors, have legal and fiscal responsibility to administer and oversee the agency’s Early Head Start and Head Start programs.
Why is it important to participate in Program Governance?
Program Governance is a GREAT way to become actively engaged in your child’s education. Participating in program governance opportunities helps parents develop leadership skills, meet and encourage other parents through networking, participate in community activities and provide valuable input about program services that impact your child’s education, as well as community resources and other support. This leadership experience can be used as a stepping stone for future opportunities. Early Head Start and Head Start parents may become involved in Program Governance Opportunities by:
- Participating on the Parent Committee by volunteering to become a Parent Ambassador
- Participating on the Policy Committee by being elected to become a Policy Committee Representative
- Participating on the Policy Council by being elected to become a Policy Council, PACE Representative
Participating in these parent engagement activities will positively impact your child’s education
