Program Governance in Head Start
Identify the duties and rules related to a Head Start program’s Policy Council, management staff, and governing body/Tribal Council.
Leadership and Governance
This resource collection covers Head Start entities that set program direction, exercise fiscal and legal oversight, and ensure stakeholder input and accountability to the community. These entities include program management, Policy Councils and committees, governing bodies, and Tribal Councils. Leadership and governance are foundational to establishing sound management systems and providing quality services. They are essential to all 12 components of the Management Systems Wheel. Program leadership is also one of the program foundations in the Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework.
Governance Readiness Assessment
The Governance Readiness Assessment helps organizations review their processes. Governing bodies can use it to assess their capacity to oversee and monitor a Head Start program.
Governance, Leadership, and Oversight Capacity Screener and Certification
This screener identifies ways to improve program governance and build leadership capacity. The accompanying form certifies that programs conducted the required screening.
Part 1301—Program Governance
This part focuses on areas related to program governance, including the role of governing bodies, councils, and committees, as well as training and technical assistance for these groups.
Certification of Governance and Leadership Capacity Screening
The governing body must certify that a governance and leadership capacity screening was conducted and a training plan was developed. A certification must be submitted to the Office of Head Start (OHS) in the Head Start Enterprise System (HSES) within 75 calendar days of the start of the project period.
Head Start Program Governance: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Head Start leaders who implement strong governance systems often face important questions. When such questions arise, leaders should refer first to key Head Start policy and regulation.