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www.HFRP.org

The Harvard Family Research Project separated from the Harvard Graduate School of Education to become the Global Family Research Project as of January 1, 2017. It is no longer affiliated with Harvard University.

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ABOUT THE NATIONAL CENTER ON PARENT, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

The Office of Head Start National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (NCPFCE) is one of six centers comprising Head Start’s Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) System, which will identify and disseminate evidence-based best practices to Head Start programs across the country. Information provided by the Centers will allow the T/TA system to support Head Start programs and bring best practices into classrooms around the country, promoting continuous improvement and innovation at the ground level. Learn more about the Center by visiting Head Start's Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center (ECLKC) website.

Read the NCPFCE Overview (PDF, 95 KB)

GOAL OF THE NCPFCE

NCPFCE will implement a professional development and communications approach that will lead to the adoption of research-informed practices for promoting integrated, systemic, and sustained parent, family, and community engagement in Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Building upon the knowledge and experience of the field, NCPFCE will model strategies for embedding parent, family, and community engagement from birth to career/constructive citizenship.

Read the NCPFCE Family and Community Practices and Outcomes Executive Summary (PDF, 1825 KB)

PARENT, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY

Our review of research and our collective experience with Head Start and other education and human service initiatives confirm that effective parent, family, and community engagement is:

  • Responsive to the cultures, goals, and circumstances of individual parents and provides a comprehensive range of pathways for family support, involvement and leadership;
  • Based on shared responsibility where programs commit to joining families in respectful and empowering ways and families commit to actively supporting their children’s learning;
  • Outcomes-based and data driven, thereby enabling parents, teachers, program directors, family service providers and community partners to find new solutions to new challenges; and
  •  A systemic program-wide initiative that is embedded in the work of all staff members, management systems, and leadership priorities.

KEY ACTIVITIES OF NCPFCE

  • Assess the needs and current resources available through individual and group conversations with parents and programs, site visits, and a literature review.
  • Develop guides and related tools to enhance capacity for systemic parent, family, and community engagement.
  • Engage in planning and resource development with the other National Centers.
  • Identify and support the communities of practice model of systemic and integrated parent, family, and community engagement.
  • Conduct on-going training at state, regional, and national events.
  • Provide support and expertise to regional and state T/TA staff and consultants.
  • Convene an advisory group to provide guidance to the National Center.

MEMBERS OF NCPFCE

NCPFCE is a partnership between the Brazelton Touchpoints Center at Children’s Hospital Boston and Harvard Family Research Project.

© 2016 Presidents and Fellows of Harvard College
Published by Harvard Family Research Project