Head Start program directors, managers, and parent and other leaders set expectations and model effective PFCE practices. Leaders set a clear vision and goals and make sure that program policies, operational procedures, and practices (e.g., hiring) actively promote PFCE. They monitor activities in all of the Program Foundations and Program Impact Areas and make changes when needed to ensure that they are mutually reinforcing. Leaders also advocate for family voices at all levels of the program, including in formal decision-making groups, such as parent committees and Policy Councils.
Key Resources
- Bringing the PFCE Framework to Your Program: Beginning a Self-Assessment—Program Leadership
- Integrating Strategies for Program Progress
Research
- Reedy, C. K., McGrath, W. H. (2010). Can You Hear Me Now? Staff-Parent Communication in Child Care Centres. Early Child Development and Care, 180(3), 347–357.
Regulations
- Purpose, 45 CFR § 1301.1
- Parent committees, 45 CFR § 1301.4 (a)-(b), (b)(1)-(3)
- Determining, verifying, and documenting eligibility, 45 CFR § 1302.12 (m), (m)(1), (m)(1)(i)-(iii), (m)(2)-(4)
- Purpose, 45 CFR § 1302.30
- Teaching and the learning environment, 45 CFR § 1302.31 (b), (b)(1), (b)(1)(ii)-(iv), (c), (c)(1)-(2)
- Parent and family engagement in education and child development services, 45 CFR § 1302.34 (a)-(b), (b)(1)-(8)
- Tribal language preservation and revitalization, 45 CFR § 1302.36
- Purpose, 45 CFR § 1302.40 (a)-(b)
- Collaboration and communication with parents, 45 CFR § 1302.41 (a)-(b), (b)(1)
- Family support services for health, nutrition, and mental health, 45 CFR § 1302.46 (a)-(b), (b)(1), (b)(1)(i),(iii)-(iv), (b)(2), (b)(2)(i)-(iii)
- Family engagement, 45 CFR § 1302.50 (a)-(b), (b)(1)-(6)
- Parent activities to promote child learning and development, 45 CFR § 1302.51 (a), (a)(1)-(3), (b)
- Family partnership services, 45 CFR § 1302.52 (a)-(c), (c)(1)-(4), (d)
- Community partnerships and coordination with other early childhood and education programs, 45 CFR § 1302.53 (a), (a)(1), (b)
- Transitions from Early Head Start, 45 CFR § 1302.70 (c)-(d)
- Transitions from Head Start to kindergarten, 45 CFR § 1302.71 (b), (b)(1)-(2), (b)(2)(i)-(iv), (c)
- Family partnership services for enrolled pregnant women, 45 CFR § 1302.82 (a)-(b)
- Management system, 45 CFR § 1302.101 (a), (a)(1)-(4), (b), (b)(1)-(2), (b)(2)(i)-(iii), (b)(3)-(4)
- Achieving program goals, 45 CFR § 1302.102 (a), (a)(1)-(4), (b), (b)(1), (b)(1)(i)-(iv), (b)(2), (b)(2)(i)-(iii), (c), (c)(1)-(2), (c)(2)(i), (d), (d)(1), (d)(1)(i)
- Implementation of program performance standards, 45 CFR § 1302.103 (a)-(b)
« Go to Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) Framework
Last Updated: February 12, 2025