Governance

Delta Health Alliance Board of Directors has the administrative and fiscal responsibility for the Head Start program. As the governing board of the program; Delta Health Alliance Board of Directors is a partner in the shared governance of the program with the Policy Council.

Governing Board

The grantee has a governing board composed of:

• At least 1 member with background and expertise in accounting or fiscal management.
• At least 1 member with background and expertise in early childhood education and development.
• At least 1 member who is a licensed attorney.
• Additional members who reflect the community and include parents of formerly or currently enrolled Head Start/EHS children, and
• Other members selected for their expertise in education, business administration or community affairs.

The governing body will receive appropriate training and technical assistance to:

• Assure members understand the information they receive so that they are able to provide effective oversight and make appropriate decisions pertaining to program administration and operations such as selecting delegates and service areas, establishing procedures and criteria for ERSEA (Grantee only), reviewing all applications for funding, and establishing procedures for selecting Policy Council, Policy Committee members
• Approve financial management, accounting and reporting policies and ensure compliance with laws and regulations related to financial statements
• Review and approve the following within the appropriate timelines: self-Assessment, financial audits, fiscal operations, grant applications, personnel policies, and the results of monitoring and follow-up activities, program approach changes and budget modifications

Governing Board members regularly receive and use the following information or reports about program planning, policies and agency operations:

• Monthly financial statements, including credit card expenditures
• Monthly program information summaries
• Monthly program enrollment reports, including attendance reports for children whose care is partially subsidized by another public agency
• Monthly reports of meals and snacks provided through USDA programs
• Annual financial audit
• Annual Self- Assessment, including findings related to such assessment
• Annual community-wide strategic planning and needs assessment (i.e., Community Assessment) of the Head Start agency, including applicable updates
• Communication and guidance from the Secretary of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), as applicable
• Annual Program Information Reports

Parent engagement is a major component of an effective childcare program. The Head Start program must establish and maintain a Policy Council that will be responsible for the direction of the program at an agency level. The Policy Council is comprised of parents of currently enrolled children and community representatives. The parents of each parent committee are responsible for electing a policy council member and one alternative member to represent their center and community. The Policy Council functions as a link to Parent Committees and operate as the voice for the parents who have children currently enrolled in the program. Formal training will be provided to the Policy Council members. The Policy Council representatives are limited to 5 one-year terms. Policy Council meetings are held one time per month.

The program has established a Policy Council as early in the year as possible. These committees are comprised of community representatives and a parent majority (at least 51%) and:

• Are responsible for the Head Start program’s direction, program design, operation and goal planning.
• Receive appropriate training and technical assistance to assure members understand information they receive and can provide effective oversight and make appropriate decisions which must include: officer training, orientation, and ethics training.
• Are supported by the program in fulfilling their governance responsibilities by receiving reasonable reimbursement of their expenses for participation.
• Review and approve the following within the appropriate timelines: self-Assessment, financial audits, fiscal operations, grant applications, personnel policies, and the results of monitoring and follow-up activities, program approach changes and budget modifications.
• Participate in developing policies and identified program activities to be submitted to the governing body.

Policy Council members regularly receive and use the following information or reports about program planning, policies and agency operations:

• Monthly financial statements, including credit card expenditures
• Monthly program information summaries
• Monthly program enrollment reports, including attendance reports for children whose care is partially subsidized by another public agency
• Monthly reports of meals and snacks provided through USDA programs
• Annual financial audit
• Annual Self-Assessment, including findings related to such assessment
• Annual community-wide strategic planning and needs assessment (i.e., Community Assessment) of the Head Start agency, including applicable updates
• Communication and guidance from the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, as applicable
• Annual Program Information Reports

Conflict of Interest – The program has policies and procedures in place to ensure that members of the Governing Board, Policy Council, Policy Committee (delegate agency), and Parent Advisory Council (PAC) are free from financial or other conflicts of interest with the Head Start/Early Head Start program, do not receive compensation for serving if not an elected official, and are not employed by the Head Start agency.

All parents with enrolled children in the program are automatically members of the Parent Committee at their center. Meetings are held monthly and all parents are encouraged to participate in the meetings. The Parent Committees are also responsible for the following:

• Encouraging change within the center and community
• Voice your opinion or make program recommendations
• Electing a site representative for the Policy Council
• Become involved in designing a high-quality program for your child and others
• Share resources or common interests with other parents and community
• Plan program activities.

Your child’s progress in the program must be understood and built upon by the parents, family and community. To achieve this, we extend invitations to our parents and community members to come to the centers and experience the centers firsthand. We encourage parents to come and visit their child’s classroom and meet with their child’s teachers on a regular basis. We also have learning games and activities that are sent home so that parents can continue the learning process in the homes.