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1993.08.09 :  Head Start Parent Involvement Institute

Contact: David Siegel  (202) 401-9215
August 9, 1993

     HHS Secretary Donna E. ShalalA spoke before more than 3,000 members
of the Head Start community today praising their commitment to children and
asking them to continue to create an environment that supports parents as
their child's first teacher.
     In opening remarks at the National Head Start Parent Involvement Institute
in Washington, D.C., Secretary Shalala said, "Head Start is prevention in its
truest sense--investing in the minds and hearts of children when they are very
young, to prevent hardship and wasted potential later.
     Shalala told the audience, "Caring adults create the magic behind Head
Start's success .... Young people want and need their parents' keen interest at
every stage in their development."
     The Head Start directors, parent involvement coordinators and Head Start
parents who attended the institute examined a wide range of topics to help
increase opportunities for Head Start parents to become involved in the
program, including: responding to the needs of working parents, reaching out
to fathers, encouraging parent involvement as Head Start children move into
the primary grades and addressing barriers to parent participation.  Many
parents themselves made presentations on model programs.
     "When parents and children work together, Head Start empowers an entire
family -- and by extension, and entire community -- to develop its full potential
and gain independence," Shalala said.
     The Head Start Parent Involvement Institute is designed to provide
information, experiences, and networking opportunities to support parents
within the program to carry out their many roles and responsibilities.  The
institute is organized to reflect the experience of parents as they enter,
participate in and leave the Head Start Program.