The Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) Framework is a guide for families, program staff, and community service providers. It offers a road map for promoting effective family engagement in program systems and services by showing us how we can intentionally support positive, lasting outcomes for children and families. A central part of the PFCE Framework is the “relationship arrow,” which spans the top of the chart and points right. This arrow reminds us that equitable, inclusive, and culturally and linguistically responsive relationships drive effective family engagement.

This resource helps explain the significance of that arrow and defines equitable, inclusive, and culturally and linguistically responsive family engagement. The following drivers can assist program staff and leaders in integrating equity when partnering with parents, families, and communities:

• Understand and Challenge Biases
• Be Open to the Many Ways Families May Want to Engage in Head Start Programs
• Discover and Uplift Family and Community Strengths
• Use Power Responsibly
• Recognize Families as Partners and Honor Their Contributions

Review each driver and complete the worksheets to reflect on and create actionable responses you can implement in your program. You will also find examples of how to incorporate the equity drivers into PFCE and strategies to strengthen equity within program environments and service delivery systems.

Last Updated: July 25, 2024