Recruiting for Head Start programs is a systematic, year-round process. These strategies and guiding questions will help you manage your program's recruitment efforts. Find out how recruitment should be data-informed and measurable.
Building from a Strong Foundation
Recruiting requires Head Start programs to reach out to families with eligible children. It involves informing families about program services to encourage and help them to apply. The process must be systematic, measurable, and include specific efforts to actively locate and recruit income- and categorically eligible children. A recruitment plan uses multiple channels to engage families, connect with the community, and build relationships with community partners who provide important family enrollment referrals to Head Start services.
Recruitment approaches and materials that are inclusive show sensitivity and respect for the diverse families in the geographic area served. For example, outreach and recruitment can be individualized for groups of families from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds or for parents with disabilities and learning differences. To promote their high-quality learning environments, programs can tailor recruitment efforts to different groups of families and audiences across their service area.
Did you know?
Children and families in Head Start programs speak more than 140 languages. However, most Head Start children who are dual language learners speak Spanish. Are your program’s recruitment materials language accessible for the families in your community? Is this confirmed by your program’s community assessment?
Wherever possible, programs must incorporate modern technologies to help families apply and reduce their administrative and paperwork burden during the application and enrollment process. Programs in communities with internet connectivity can use social media and virtual recruitment strategies. Staff can review this learning module that helps programs create social media profiles that are engaging.
For some programs, intensified recruitment efforts involve hiring a marketing consultant. Consultants provide additional expertise in enhancing outreach efforts and marketing services.
A Systems Perspective: Questions to Consider
How is community assessment data used to identify income-eligible children? This includes children whose families receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), children in families experiencing homelessness, and children living in foster care. How is data used to identify children with disabilities? To identify communication methods and modalities that meet family preferences?
How does your program's data and evaluation system measure the effectiveness of recruitment efforts? How is this data used to reach families most in need? Does this data help identify and replicate best practices?
How does your program's human resources system leverage staff's backgrounds and expertise to inform and enhance recruitment efforts?
How does your program utilize technology and information systems to enhance recruitment efforts and minimize the burden of paperwork on families?
How does your program's fiscal system support recruitment? How does it allocate resources for marketing and professional development?
How does your program's communication system make sure messaging reflects the needs of eligible families? Do these materials communicate the program's values and services?
Planning for Continuous Improvement
Your program should develop metrics for measuring and analyzing recruitment strategies to identify future performance goals. This includes requesting feedback from enrolled families and data sharing with organizations that serve Head Start-eligible children and families. Such organizations may include local educational and social service agencies, public health centers, housing projects, mental health centers, homeless shelters, and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Your plan may establish and measure data-informed goals around those partnerships. The sharing and analysis of data through community assessment, ongoing monitoring, and self-assessment guarantee that data is used to continuously strengthen recruitment efforts.
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Resource Type: Publication
National Centers: Program Management and Fiscal Operations
Audience: Directors and Managers
Last Updated: December 5, 2024