Programs can explore this brief to better understand the Head Start regulations and education requirements for family services managers and staff. Learn the steps to determine and justify how family services staff meet the Head Start Program Performance Standards. Discover considerations for hiring and professional development. There are also helpful resources about family services education requirements and staff qualifications.
Staff Qualifications: Steps for Programs to Consider
Use this brief to better understand the Head Start regulations and considerations for family services managers and staff. Local programs determine how their staff meet the Head Start regulations.
Follow these steps to guide you in the process of determining and justifying how your family services staff meet the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS).
- Read the HSPPS:
- Know the specific education requirements for staff roles detailed in 45 CFR §1302.91
- Review the cross references to the staff qualification requirements in the Head Start Act and other relevant HSPPS
- Gather information to know your program’s needs and expectations, based on:
- Community, family, and child needs
- Program goals including school readiness goals
- Your existing continuous quality improvement system
- Use all available information to ensure your program has:
- Human resources and professional development policies and procedures to help you meet regulations
- Clear program goals including school readiness goals
- Qualified staff who can effectively support your program’s goals and service delivery
- An ongoing monitoring process that identifies and addresses challenges in hiring and retaining qualified staff
What Are the Requirements?
Knowledge
45 CFR §1302.91(d)(1) A program must ensure staff responsible for management and oversight of family services… have, at a minimum, a baccalaureate degree, preferably related to one or more of the disciplines they oversee.
45 CFR §1302.91(e)(7) A program must ensure family services staff who work directly with families on the family partnership process…have, within 18 months of hire, at a minimum, a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field.
Note: 45 CFR §1302.91(d)(1) and 45 CFR §1302.91(e)(7) apply to staff who are hired after Nov. 7, 2016.
Competencies
45 CFR §1302.91(a) A program must:
- Ensure all staff, consultants, and contractors … have sufficient knowledge, training and experience, and competencies to:
- Fulfill the roles and responsibilities of their position, and
- Ensure high-quality service delivery.
- Provide ongoing training and professional development to support staff in fulfilling their roles and responsibilities.
Please Note!
Grantees have the flexibility to implement higher or more stringent requirements than those outlined in the regulation. To meet the Head Start requirements, family services staff could have one of the following:
• Current credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field
• Degree in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field
• Credential or certification earned within 18 months of their hire date
What Else Do I Need to Know?
Considerations for Hiring Staff
- Review training materials and course syllabi to determine if a credential or degree includes sufficient content related to family partnership or engagement. Relying on a review of the materials and syllabi will keep you from making assumptions about the content.
- Access the T/TA system for support and connect with your Regional Office program specialist as necessary.
- Consider the requirements detailed in the HSPPS:
- Family service managers who also serve as education managers must meet the requirements outlined in 45 CFR §1302.91(d)(2).
- The requirement in 45 CFR 1302.91(e)(7) is applicable for all staff who work directly with families on the family partnership process regardless of their title.
- In some cases, program family services duties occur within other roles such as teacher or home visitor.
Considerations for Professional Development
To ensure your family services staff know how to implement the family partnership process you may:
- Use the 15 hours of annual professional development required by the HSPPS 45 CFR 1302.92(b)(1) to ensure staff have the skills to support and engage families in the family partnership process
- Offer professional development opportunities that support staff working with all families based on your community assessment or continuous quality improvement data
- Use individualized professional development plans to further the skills and knowledge specific to the family partnership process
- Consider using the Relationship-Based Competencies (RBCs) as a guide for both individual and program professional development planning
Where Can I Find More on This Topic?
- 45 CFR Staff Qualifications and Competency Requirements
- Showcase of Head Start Regulations
- Staff Qualifications Head Start Program Performance Standards Excerpts Chart
- Credentialing and Degree Programs Databases for Head Start Staff Who Work with Families
- Relationship-Based Competencies to Support Family Engagement for Family Services Professionals
- Steps Local Agencies Can Use to Determine Credential or Degree Equivalency
« Go to Head Start Staff Qualifications
Last Updated: September 15, 2022