| | NCO HEAD START CDP Program Policy Council

Some advantages to involvement in PPC:

An opportunity to develop your leadership skills.
A chance to make a difference in children's lives.
Board member experience.
An opportunity to make decisions about your child's Head Start/Early Head Start program.
Trainings provided.
An opportunity to make new friends (for you and your child).

Head Start is a circle of friends who care about you!

Representing the Families of Mendocino and Lake Counties

What is the PPC?

The Program Policy Council (PPC) is the general policy setting group for the Head Start Child Development Program
The council approves or disapproves major program decisions, including hiring staff, developing the budget, and designing program options
The Program Policy Council evaluates the Head Start Program annually to make sure that it is meeting all Federal requirements and the needs of families

Who are the members of the PPC?

Our PPC membership is made up of a parent representative from each Head Start/Early Head Start site. Parent representatives are elected by the parents at the site center business meeting in September of each school year.
Six seats are available for community representatives. Examples of community representatives include concerned individuals who are interested in maintaining quality educational experiences for the preschoolers in their community.

What are the responsiblities of the PPC representative?

A PPC representative must be willing to attend monthly PPC meetings and act as a link between the PPC and the parents at their site. The rep brings concerns and suggestions from thier site to the PPC meeting, and also reports to the parents at their site about the PPC meeting.
The Head Start directors and managers also attend PPC meetings. They act as a resource and support to the council.

Who should we elect as our PPC representative?

Anyone who is interested may run for the position of PPC representative at thier site parent meeting. Requirements for PPC rep include the ability to come to the meetings, and to open to learning as they participate.
Community representatives are chosen through an application process, with the final approval from the council.

When and where are the meetings held?

PPC meetings are held monthly at a time decided upon by the council. All parents are welcome and encouraged to attend any PPC or committee meeting

Why is PPC attendance important?

The Head Start Program cannot operate without a Program Policy Council. To receive funding from the federal government, we must have parents involved in making program decisions.
Parental involvement in both site parent meetings and PPC meetings assure that the program is meeting parents needs.

What is PPC Reimbursement?

Representatives with low income are eligible to recieve a reimbursement (payment) to cover the cost of travel and/or child expenses for PPC meetings. The exact amount depends on the claim submitted.
Please ask about reimbursement for childcare when attending a PPC meeting.
Free lunch is provided to all representatives, guests and children.