Handout 1:
Program Scenarios:
Family Partnerships

Instructions
Read and discuss each of the following program scenarios. Focus your discussion on these questions: Did staff initiate a staff-family partnership? What activities did the family partnership focus on? How did the family partnership assist or benefit the family? Staff? Program? What would you have done differently to strengthen the family partnership? What impact did the program's policies or procedures have on the staffs ability to form a family partnership? What program policies or procedures would you change? Keep the same?

Program Scenarios

• Deer Park Head Start
  
  To speed up the enrollment process, the Head Start program has pre assembled packets available for parents who come to inquire about enrolling their children. These packets contain an application, health forms, income guidelines, a Head Start brochure, and a community resource guide. Parents are given a date and time to come back and meet with a family service worker. The parents are asked to have all forms in the packet completed when they return.
  
  At the follow-up meeting, with papers and forms completed, parents are told whether their children are eligible for enrollment. Eligible families are given a starting date for their children and are taken on a tour of the facility. Children usually remain in the classroom with teaching staff while parents are given an orientation with other parents. During the orientation, the philosophy of Head Start is explained and the parents are given the opportunity to introduce themselves.
  
• Little Tikes Head Start
  
  Last Saturday, Jamie Schultz and her son, Paul, attended a "welcome back" event at the Head Start center. The event was designed to reacquaint the children and families with the program prior to its opening. Jamie and Paul were able to meet all the staff and other families, and attend a barbecue. Paul also was invited to participate in a talent show, in "Children's Olympics," and in arts and crafts.
  
  While the children were working on a family tree, the parents were encouraged to record their family's story. The staff provided examples of how families grow and change over time. The Head Start director handed each family a handmade, blank storybook. The director encouraged the parents to place their family tree and highlights of their family's development in the storybook.
  
  Today, Jack Quinn, a family service worker, is coming to the Schultz's home. Jamie is very excited to tell Jack what the family has been doing over the summer. As Jack and Jamie catch up, they begin to discuss Jamie's hopes and goals for the family. Jack listens to the challenges that Jamie has overcome, affirms the family's strengths and supports, and applauds her success. By the end of the visit, Jamie has begun writing three goals and plans for achieving them in her family storybook.
  
• Poplar Heights Head Start
  
  Poplar Heights' family service staff are required to conduct two home visits each year. However, because most of the neighborhoods are deemed unsafe by the police department, each family is asked to meet the family service worker (FSW) at the Head Start center. While these meetings are warm and friendly, there are usually many interruptions.
  
  During these visits, the FSW and the family touch on numerous family topics, the weather, the community, and upcoming program events. The FSW reinforces her role as a support to the family and explains that Head Start can help with the family's concerns or goals. During the discussion, the FSW discusses the opportunities for parent involvement and lets the family know when the next parent meeting will be. At the close of the meeting, the FSW encourages the family to call her if anyone needs anything. After each meeting, the FSW carefully documents the visit.
  
  A few months before the end of the year, the FSW begins to develop a transition plan for each family. The FSW provides the family a list of community supports and explains that the list contains resources the family may need once its time at Head Start ends. The FSW asks the family to sign information release forms, in case they are needed at a later time.
  
• Youth Action Head Start
  
  When Maria, a parent volunteer, enters the Youth Action Head Start center, she is greeted by an abundance of beautiful art work. Maria quickly looks for her child's drawing and readily notices the progress of her daughter, Joy. She is greeted by a friendly face and asked if she needs any help. Maria explains that she has an appointment with Dollie, her family service worker.
  
  Quickly, Dollie enters, greets Maria with a hug, and asks, "What can I do for you?" At Maria's suggestion, the two move to the outdoor picnic area. Maria happily explains that her new apartment complex is wonderful; it has a play group for Joy, laundry facilities, a bus stop, and a fitness center! Dollie congratulates Maria on attaining her goal and working through all the hard times to achieve it. Dollie encourages Maria to discuss how she feels about accomplishing her goal.
  
  As the meeting comes to a close, Dollie asks Maria, "What's next for your family? Where do you want to go from here?" Maria explains that one of the parents at Joy's play group is encouraging her to take a computer training course. Maria explains, however, that she doesn't have enough money saved to cover the application fee.
  Two days later, Maria receives a plant from the Head Start program as a housewarming gift. The card reads, "Congratulations on your new home and all your hard work!!"
  
  
  BACK