Leadership and Governance
Explore ways grantees can build strong leadership and governance systems to foster positive relationships among the three governing entities. Learn how this supports grantees to better serve children and families.
Program Leadership Learning Resources
Welcome, we are so glad you’re here! As a Head Start leader, you are essential to the foundation of a thriving program that meets the needs of children, families, and staff in the community.
Are you new to leadership and governance or maybe an experienced manager new to the Head Start program? The resources below can help you become familiar with the key responsibilities of Head Start program leadership.
Explore eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA) fundamentals as the gateway to engaging children and families and ensuring full enrollment. The Fiscal Checklist provides a review of key fiscal policies and regulations. Find ways to support the Head Start workforce in HR Matters video series.
Other resources in this collection cover topics like five-year program planning, goal setting, and conducting community and self-assessments to evaluate success.
Fiscal Checklist: Policy and Regulation Compliance
Use this checklist and planning tool to identify and comply with Head Start fiscal policies and regulations. It will be helpful for directors, managers, and Policy Council members.
HR Matters
These animated videos describe HR best practices and related resources to support programs address personnel needs.
ERSEA Insights
This resource outlines strategies and guiding questions to help programs build and maintain responsive ERSEA systems.
Management Minute Video Series
These animated videos describe best practices for addressing the fiscal regulations and requirements that guide Head Start grant recipients.
ERSEA Assessment Tool
This assessment tool will help programs improve ERSEA services by identifying and enrolling the children most in need of Head Start services. The tool can also help programs achieve and maintain full enrollment.
Annual Planning Calendar for Program Management
Use this customizable roadmap to identify required planning activities and foster meaningful collaboration with program and fiscal leaders.
Community Assessment: The Foundation for Program Planning in Head Start
Explore community assessment standards and best practices. Learn how community assessments help programs remain responsive to the children and families they serve.
Foundations for Excellence
Review a range of planning topics to support programs’ successful completion of the Head Start grant application, and to ensure programming is responsive to community needs throughout the five-year grant period.
Self-assessment: Your Annual Journey
Use this nine-phase interactive learning module to walk through through the process of planning and executing an annual Head Start program self-assessment.