Assessing the children's and families' needs,
strengths, and interests, and translating this information into individualized
short and long-term goals with the family, are key elements of the home-based
program option that are part of the home visitor's role.
Review your agency's children's developmental
screening and assessment and family needs assessment processes prior to
viewing the videotape.
The videotape illustrates various strategies
for assessing and planning with families. Identify some examples from the
videotape.
After viewing the videotape, think about the
following assessment and planning issues. Discuss these with your super
visor, other home visitors, or other Head Start team members.
- How do you involve reluctant parents in the assessment and planning process?
- How do you involve parents with limited literacy skills in
the assessment and
planning process? - How do you assist parents to identify their child's and family's needs, strengths, and interests?
- How do you help parents set goals for their child and family?
- How do you and parents design activities to help meet these goals?
- How do you and parents evaluate the outcomes of these activities?
- How is this information incorporated into agency plans?
- Read Chapter Two, "Completing Screening and Assessment Activities," in The Head Start Home Visitor Handbook
- Read Chapter Six, "Home Visits," in A Guide for Operating the Head Start Home-Based Program Option
- Read Chapter Four, "Implementing the Education Component Plan,"
in A Guide for Education Coordinators in Head Start
- Read Part Three, "Five Step Process for Planning the Mental Health Program," in Mental Health in Head Start: A Wellness Approach
- Read Chapter Four, "The Social Service Process," in A Guide for Providing Social Services in Head Start
- Request from your supervisor and participate in training
that addresses assessment and planning