Policy Council

What is Policy Council?

Policy Council is the governing body of the Head Start/Early Head Start of Fayette County program. Policy Council is created to serve as a link among public and private organizations, the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette, Inc., which is the grantee agency, the communities served and families of children enrolled. The Head Start/Early Head Start of Fayette County Policy Council will be involved in the planning and coordination of the Head Start/Early Head Start Program for Fayette County.

Policy Council is comprised of 51% Head Start/Early Head Start present program parents and 49% community/agency representatives. Each parent committee shall nominate and elect one (1) delegate and one (1) alternate to Policy Council per group during their regular October meeting.

Meetings

The Policy Council meets monthly to participate in the formal decision making process of Head Start/Early Head Start. The meetings are scheduled the second Tuesday of every month at the Family & Community Partnership conference room located at the main office of the Head Start/Early Head Start program.

Childcare and refreshments are provided.

Training

All new Parent delegates, alternates, and community/agency representatives, board members, Grantee liaisons, must attend Policy Council annual training upon formation of the new Council. They will be trained on the Head Start Performance Standards, the Head Start Reauthorization Act of 2007 as well as the role of being a Policy Council member. Additional training will also take place intermittently during regular Policy Council Meetings.

Committees

Membership is open to the general public and must be approved by Policy Council. Committee membership is not bound by a 3-year term of membership. All committees shall have a minimum of three (3) members. The Policy Council Chairperson shall appoint all committee chairpersons. Membership on committees can be voluntary or by appointment. Each Policy Council member shall serve on at least three committees. The Chairperson of Policy Council shall have the right to appoint any delegate to serve as consultant on any standing committee as the need arises. Committee membership may be open to all parents of Head Start and Early Head Start.

"We, at Head Start & Early Head Start of Fayette County, are committed to Educate, Encourage, and Empower our families and children."