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.
The Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework: Promoting Family Engagement and School Readiness from Prenatal to Age 8
September 28, 2011
The Office of Head Start has announced through the Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center website The Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework: Promoting Family Engagement and School Readiness from Prenatal to Age 8. This framework was developed by the Office of Head Start with assistance from the National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement. Harvard Family Research Project is one of the partnering organizations of this center.
The framework is a vital tool for early childhood education and care providers seeking to build effective engagement strategies. While the framework is intended for Head Start and Early Head Start programs, its lessons are useful and applicable to a much broader audience of early childhood programs.
The framework highlights a set of desired outcomes and examples of strategies to achieve them. These outcomes include:
- Family well-being
- Positive parent-child relationships
- Families as lifelong educators
- Families as learners
- Familiy engagement in transitions (e.g., to kindergarten and elementary school)
- Familiy connections to peers and the community
- Families as advocates and leaders
Additionally, you will find concrete examples of family progress for each outcome area. While the framework recommends specific ways for programs to work towards these outcomes, the strategies are flexible and adaptable to local needs.
Go to The Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework.