1. Demonstrate understanding of Head Start's history, mission, and philosophy.
2. Exhibit general knowledge of the Head Start program, including Performance Standards, planning, policies, procedures, and monitoring.
3. Implement an eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance process that is accessible to children and families who can benefit the most from Head Start services.
4. Implement health and safety practices and procedures that reduce risk.
5. Implement the family goals setting process and address family issues.
6. Empower parents to access community services and resources, and to make successful transitions.
7. Support communication and community advocacy.
8. Develop parents’ participation as volunteers and in program governance and parent training.
9. Support parent and family engagement in education and child development services
10. Implement parent and family engagement in medical, dental, nutrition, mental health, and special services.
11. Maintain standards of conduct and professional ethics.
12. Continue professional development in formal & informal settings.

Competency 1: Demonstrate understanding of Head Start history, mission, and philosophy.

Function A: Head Start's history, mission, and philosophy are rooted in the anti-poverty program.

Activity C1-FA-A1: Write a brief narrative that articulately describes the history, mission, and philosophy of Head Start. Include in it the roots of the program in the War on Poverty.

Sample Answer:

Head Start was founded in the summer of 1965 and was part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty. It started as a summer program. President Johnson convened a panel of child development experts, charging them with developing a program that would provide a "head start" for low-income children and families.

Project Head Start was born, and its mission was then and still is, to provide a comprehensive child development program with the overall goal of increasing the social competence of young children in low-income families. Social competence means the child's everyday effectiveness in dealing with both his/her present environment and later responsibilities in school and life, according to the Head Start Program Performance Standards. Social competence takes into account that social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development are all related.

Head Start has always been a family-centered program, recognizing that children develop within the family, cultural, and community environments. It is also the Head Start philosophy that parents are the first and primary teachers and nurturers of their children.

By the early 1970s, most programs had converted to a school calendar, or to full-year programs. Today, Head Start is a program for low-income families with children birth to five, since Early Head Start came into being in the mid-1990s. The Head Start Program Performance Standards have also been revised from many "components" to three major service delivery areas: Early Childhood Development & Health, Family & Community Partnerships, and Program Design & Management.

The dedication of parents' and staff's letters and testimonials have done much to keep Head Start alive and well for over half a century. The National Head Start Association also has provided strong advocacy and public relations for the program nationwide.