WHAT IS THE POLICY COUNCIL (PC) OF HEAD START?

It is the "CONGRESS" of Head Start, set up by federal law so that parents have a way to make decisions about the nature and operations of the program. In each Head Start class, parents elect one delegate and one alternate to represent them at Policy Council.

WHAT DOES THE POLICY COUNCIL DO?

The Policy Council:

a) Gets information,, helps plan, discusses, then approves or disapproves:

(1) The program proposal (how the program will operate)

(2) The program budget

(3) The recruitment and training plans

(4) The personnel policies, hiring and firing of Head Start staff

b) Has direct responsibility for the annual On Site Program Review

c) Elects members to represent the PC on the Community Action Board and in the Maryland Head Start Parent's Association

d) Develops and approves the Policy Council budget using the funds allocated by the program for PC activities. In the past, these funds have been used for parent education, emergency fund, center committee activities, council expenses, and "out-of-pocket" for attending delegates and alternates.

WHO ATTENDS PC MEETINGS?

a) Parents elected from each Head Start class

b) All Head Start parents

c) Community Representatives - usually past Head Start parents and community organization representative who are interested in the program and are voted in by council members

WHO RUNS THE POLICY COUNCIL?

Head Start parents elected by their centers and the elected officers: Chairperson, Vice Chairs, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, corresponding Secretary and Parliamentarian. The officers terms run from election in December to the following January.

HOW INVOLVED MUST I BE?

Attendance at one night meeting a month-except for the month of October, when two additional meetings are held to prepare representative to do their important work. The other exception is for officers who also attend an executive meeting each month to plan for the regular meeting.

WHAT DO THE PC REPRESENTATIVES DO?

a) Attend all PC meetings.

b) Votes on all PC business

c) Attends parent center meeting at the School

d) Reports PC information to the parent center committee held in each school.

e) Reports center concerns and activities to the PC.

f) Serves on at least one PC standing committee.

g) Keeps the alternate informed. If unable to attend, informs the alternate so he/she knows to attend the meeting. The delegate and the alternate may attend together.