Putting Parents to Work! National Head Start Association 37 th Annual National Training Conference Dallas, TX May 7, 2010

Putting Parents to Work!

National Head Start Association37th Annual National Training Conference

Dallas, TXMay 7, 2010

“We cannot pretend to work for the best interests of

children while ignoring the needs of their parents.”

Joyce L. Frett

Copyright 2010 by Region 7 Education Service Center. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced, displayed, modified or distributed without the express prior written permission of the copyright holder. For

permission, contact [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]

Putting Parents to Work is a session designed to inform

participants of how Region 7 ESC Head Start is using an innovative

program to invest in career training for Head Start families,

thus empowering them with skills needed to gain employment.

Copyright (2010) by Region 7 Education Service Center. All rights reserved.

Isha BrownStaff Development Specialist

Region 7 ESC Head Start(903) 988-7609

[email protected]

Felicia Woodard-ShawStaff Development Coordinator

Region 7 ESC Head Start(903) [email protected]


PresentersPresenters

ObjectiveObjective

Participants will:

• Learn practical strategies for establishing effective partnerships with institutions of higher education, workforce development, local businesses, school districts, economic development and local community resources

• Learn how to link parents with high-demand high-wage occupations that will prepare them with the skills to meet current and future employers’ needs

• Learn how to implement a similar program that provides the job training, continuing education and literacy training for families in their programs


Region 7 Education Service

Center

Early/HeadEarly/HeadStartStart


Program Overview

.



Funded EnrollmentFunded EnrollmentTotal Head Start and Early Head Start (including expansion)

Head Start sites – 57 Head Start classrooms – 146 Independent School Districts - 47 Total Early/Head Start funded enrollment - 2170


Healthy Relationships (traditional/

nontraditional families)

Healthy Relationships (traditional/

nontraditional families)

Services to bilingual families (dual language)

Services to bilingual families (dual language)

Childhood/

Health obesity

Childhood/

Health obesity

Literacy-(adult/family)Literacy-(adult/family)

Program GoalsProgram Goals


Program GoalsProgram Goals


Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs


How it All Began… How it All Began…


First …• 2006-2007 program year• ACF granted One-Time funds to credential

Head Start teachers• Partnerships with district – all program

teachers are certified• Not a huge interest/need among parents• Parents needed short-term continuing

education programs to keep up with changing workforce and find jobs paying decent wages


Then …

Nearly 70% of all existing jobs require some form of

postsecondary education and nearly 80% of all new jobs

during the next 20 years will require some education

beyond high school.


Research shows that individuals without some form of post-

secondary education or training will likely find themselves

trapped in low-wage jobs with little or no hope of moving

themselves and their families out of poverty.


Individuals with at least some postsecondary education under their belts earn, on

average, almost two-thirds more than high school

graduates.“Profile of Low-Income Adults”


So, here’s what we did …

How can we better prepare our parents for the changing

workforce and meet their career and job training

needs?Copyright (2010) by Region 7 Education Service Center. All rights reserved.

Parent Interest/Needs Parent Interest/Needs IdentifiedIdentified

• Community Assessment• Family Service Workers

– Family Services Assessment (FSA)– Family Partnership Agreement (FPA)– Referrals– Home Visits– Parent Meetings

• Local Workforce• Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov)• Support Systems


http://www.bls.gov/

Key People …Key People …

• Head Start Parents• Family Service Workers• Community Colleges, Vocational/Technical

Training Providers– Establish partnerships

• Program Staff– Administrative Support/Buy-In critical!!!– Fiscal

• Community Organizations


Family Partnership Family Partnership AgreementsAgreements


Outcome…Outcome…

• Portion of funding was re-allocated for use by Head Start parents

Parent Career Opportunities Scholarship

Parent Career Opportunities Scholarship

Funding Sources…Funding Sources…

• T/TA funds written into the budget each year

• Some Financial Aid/grants available through the community colleges and schools

• Collaborate with other Grant funding sources within the community


• Scholarship program for Head Start parents

• Continuing education and job skills training leading to certification and/or licensing

• Marketable, transferable skills• Initial budget of $33,000• $1500 per parent



• Scholarship funds will cover:– GED– Entrance exams (Accuplacer, THEA)– Tuition/Cost of program– Books– Certification/Licensing Exams (new or

renewal)– Study Guides/Materials– Supplies/Equipment for Course



Scholarship CriteriaScholarship Criteria

• Currently enrolled HS parent• First-come-first-serve, pending availability of

funds• Complete the Application & Commitment Letter• Apply for Financial Aid (if available)• Guidelines for Colleges/Training Providers:

– must be accredited– incorporated– 501(c)(3);– state agency; or – Affiliated with the Texas Workforce Commission


Application ProcessApplication Process

• Complete Registration process with school• Scholarship Award Letters

– School/Training Provider– Parent– Family Service Worker (update FPA)

• Billing handled by Fiscal/Bookkeeping staff• Copies of Certificate/License• Exit Interviews




PartnershipsPartnerships



• Communication Key!!– Information on new grants, outside funding

upcoming courses, job fairs, career days• Community Colleges

– Memorandum of Understanding• Literacy Council• Workforce certified training centers• Local Businesses• Partnership Planning Meetings• Community Organization Meetings



Memorandum of Memorandum of UnderstandingUnderstanding

Course Registration


Communication is Communication is KEY!!!KEY!!!

New Grant Info Career Days/Job Fairs


Certification & Licensure


Certification is the process by which a nongovernmental agency or association grants recognition of competence to an individual

who has met certain predetermined qualifications, as specified by the agency or

association. – ASCP Board of Certification

• Assist parents with application process– Completing application for Certification– Facilitating payment of fees

• Funds for licensing and certification fees awarded AFTER successful completion of course

• More marketable, transferable skills


This is the GOAL!!!!This is the GOAL!!!!

Challenges…Challenges…

• Bridging the Gap between Course Completion/Certification/Employment

• Background Checks

• Course Curriculum Challenges for Hispanic Parents

• “Tracking” parents after they leave the program

• Personal Commitment

• Male Participation• Increasing tuition

prices• “Soft Skills”


Connecting Parents to CareersConnecting Parents to Careers

.


Giving Our Parents a HEAD START!!!

•


Parent TestimonialsParent Testimonials

• I'm very grateful for everything you and your company has done for me and my family, my very long journey is over only to open a whole new world for me! Thanks again!! -Angela Almanza, Carthage HS parent, Licensed Occupational Therapist Assistant

I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate being awarded the scholarship for Continuing Education. Because of this scholarship, I was able to attend and receive a certificate for the Pharmacy Technician program. When I am able to test for the state board [exam], I will have many opportunities for employment and also be able to continue my education in the medical field. Again, thank you so much for this scholarship and your continued support for our family. – Holly Baker, Lindale ECC HS Parent, Scholarship Recipient

Thank you for giving me the best opportunity of my life. You have made it possible for me to be a part of [an] awesome group of people. I really don’t think I would have done it without all of your help and support. – Holly Watson, Lindale ECC HS Parent, Completed Paraprofessional Certification and hired as a Teaching Assistant on a Head Start campus


WHY DEVELOP A PARENT WHY DEVELOP A PARENT CAREER TRAINING AND CAREER TRAINING AND EDUCATION PROGRAM EDUCATION PROGRAM IN YOUR HEAD IN YOUR HEAD START PROGRAM?START PROGRAM?


The benefits of parent education also extends to children in that parent education attainment

levels correlate positively with their children’s health and

cognitive abilities.” “Profile of Low-Income Adults”


Builds ConfidenceWorkforce-Ready Pathway to a CareerEconomic Self-Sufficiency

Where do we go from here?Where do we go from here?



Documents

Putting Parents to Work! National Head Start Association 37 th Annual National Training Conference Dallas, TX May 7, 2010