In April of 2003, the AFL-CIO Appalachian Council, Inc. Board of Directors authorized the establishment of an Oversight Committee to act on their behalf pursuant to the oversight of the Appalachian Council’s Head Start program.

The purpose of the Head Start Oversight Committee is to oversee key responsibilities related to program governance and to ensure that the program is meeting and abiding by all guidelines, policies, rules, and regulations as required by the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start.

In addition, the Oversight Committee provides legal, general, and fiscal oversight while participating in the planning and organization of the Head Start Project in accordance with the Head Start Act, and therefore assisting Head Start staff and parents to become more effective in bringing about positive change for the benefit of their families.

Although the AFL-CIO Appalachian Council, Inc. Board of Directors retains all legal and fiscal responsibility for the Head Start program, the Oversight Committee is tasked with its overall governance.

Click here to access more info about the current members of the Head Start Oversight Committee.

At the Appalachian Council Head Start, parents gather monthly for Parent Committee Meetings to discuss their children, Head Start education and activities, community issues, and family concerns. Parents work together to have fun, support each other, and make the Head Start program successful for their children. Parents bring a wealth of knowledge about their child and family to these meetings. Discussions may focus on the types of activities you want in your child’s classroom, the activities you might want to do with other Head Start families, various issues concerning children, and community issues or events.

Parent Committees consist of a team that includes a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer every year. The President leads the meetings and keeps the Parent Committee moving towards its established goals. Vice President conducts meetings and handles group business in the President’s absence, the Secretary takes minutes at the meetings and maintains the center’s parent meeting book, and the Treasurer keeps accurate records of the Parent Committee’s financial transactions.

Parent Committees have a small activity fund to use each year. There are certain rules for using the funds. Some Parent Committees may decide to use the funds for educational activities, training fees, or “special events” for group socialization.

For more information about joining a parent committee at your child’s school, please refer to the parent handbook or contact your child’s classroom.

Below are various links to help you learn more about the Head Start program. If you have questions or need help, please feel free to contact us anytime!