Family Handbook: Family Services

Table of Contents

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We embrace the child’s family as their first and most important educator; we work to build off of this philosophy by encouraging families to take part in their child’s educational experiences.

Within the first few months of your child’s enrollment, you will meet with your Family Liaison (assigned to you based on the age of the child and the location) in order to start the Family Partnership process. At these meetings, the Family Liaison will help you create your own Family Partnership Agreement that identifies: strengths, interests, needs, wants, and goals. The Family Liaison will also be available to provide support in taking steps towards achieving identified goals and needs.


Some ways we can support you and your family includes but are not limited to:

    • Assisting in referrals to other community resources;
    • Assisting you to get household needs and clothing;
    • Contacting services to help with crisis situations;
    • Ensuring that your family receives all services to which it is entitled;
    • Linking your family to other YCCAC support services.

If you have any questions, concerns, or would like more information, please contact our Family Engagement & ERSEA Manager at 207-432-3961.

Parent and Family Engagement

Family engagement is the backbone to our Program. The success of our Program comes from our commitment to building partnerships with families, and families committing to actively supporting their child/ren’s learning. 

! There are also many ways to be actively involved in the Program and thus, to support your child’s education.

Policy Council

Policy Council is our governing body that helps to guide the direction of our Program!

As a Policy Council representative of your child’s classroom, you will have the opportunity to actively participate in shaping the Program’s direction, ensuring that we are meeting the needs of children, families, and Program requirements when you share ideas for your classroom, home activities, the Program in general, and so much more.

Family Linkz

Family Linkz meetings are a great opportunity for all families to:

    • Meet other parents;
    • Share ideas, thoughts, and feedback about the Program;
    • Give input to Program decisions;
    • Plan activities for your child(ren) and their classroom;
    • Plan activities for your family and community;
    • Hear about Policy Council and other Program updates.

Family Engagement Events

Family Engagement events are fun activities and gatherings that occur throughout the year that provide you with an opportunity to actively engage in your child’s learning while making connections with other families and Program staff.

Fatherhood Engagement

Once a month our “Fatherhood Engagement” group meets for a fun male caregiver-focused event in the community. These events are free and set up to nurture relationships between fathers and their children.

Volunteer

Talk to your Family Liaison on how you can volunteer – once a month or every week, any time volunteering with the Program supports the Program, staff, and most of all – the children.

In-Kind

Head Start programs receive 80% of their funding from the Federal Government. The remaining 20% must come from In-Kind contributions provided by families and the community. In-Kind contributions include goods, services, or volunteer time that support the Program’s operations and enhance children’s educational experiences. This requirement fosters community engagement, stretches program funds, and ensures accountability in the use of federal funds. It encourages a collaborative partnership between Head Start programs, families, and local communities to support children’s development effectively. Check out APPENDIX In-Kind Ideas for ways you can contribute In-Kind.

Table of Contents

About York County Head Start

History
Mission
The People at the Program

Program Policies

Transportation
Arrival and Pick Up
Attendance and Absences
Suspension and Expulsion
Cancellations and Delays
Outdoor Activities
Field Trips
Celebrations and Diversity
Open Door Policy

Education Services

Curriculum and Assessment
Learning Genie
School Readiness
Educational Home Visits
Dual Language Learner
S
pecial Services
Behavioral Health Services
Transitions

Family Services

Parent and Family Engagement
Policy Council

Family Linkz
Classroom Family Engagement
Volunteer
In-Kind

Health and Nutrition

Breastfeeding
Special Diets
“No Food IN- No Food OUT” Policy
Sleeping
Pacifiers
Diapering
Toilet Training
Exclusion due to Illness
Management of Communicable Diseases
Medications
Over-the-Counter Products and Medication
Head Lice/Fleas
Emergency Preparedness Procedures
Serious Injury
Incident Reporting

General Information

Rights of Children
Tobacco-Free Policy
Weapons Policy
Car Seat Safety
Mandatory Reporting: Child Abuse and Neglect
Mandatory Reporting: Domestic Violence
Use of Pesticides
Lead Testing
Professional Boundaries
Confidentiality

Appendixes:

Centers’ Capacity
Classrooms’ Location and Hours of Operation
Temporary Exclusion due to Illness
CACFP
CACFP Non-Discrimination Statement
Sample Daily Schedule
In-kind Ideas
Sample Monthly Menu
Oral Health Tips
Lead Poisoning Prevention