• To share information and ideas.
• To act on common issues.
• To support the membership.
• To promote quality, comprehensive services for children and families.

Head Start is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its programs actively seek the direct participation of parents, whom they assist in developing child-rearing skills. Beginning in 1973, Head Start was required by law to accept severely handicapped children. Ten percent of the children in a center may come from families not in poverty.

Thirty-five years of research on Head Start and other similar comprehensive preschool programs have shown that the costs thereof are returned several times over in costs saved in the areas of remedial education, corrections and human services.

In 1987 the Oregon Legislature enacted Senate Bill 524 directing the implementation of the OREGON PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAM (OPP) based on the Head Start model. This Legislation allows twenty percent of the children to come from families not in poverty and requires that ten percent Disabilities.

Head Start/Oregon Prekindergarten Programs are free to poverty-level families whose children are 3 to 4. Program services include:

• Health
• Education
• Parent Involvement
• Mental Health
• Social Services
• Nutrition

Also in 1987 the Oregon Legislature funded the implementation of TOGETHER FOR CHILDREN - a parent education program supporting parenting efforts and thereby increasing children's success in school and later life. Program services are provided to parents with at-risk children, birth to age 8, and include:

• Home Visitations
• Peer Support Groups
• Health Care
• Parent Education

EARLY HEAD START started in Oregon in 1994 and follows the same performance standards as Head Start, but is aimed at families with children prenatal to age 3.

FULL DAY/FULL YEAR started in 1997 and was a priority for Head Start expansion funding, responding to the work needs of Head Start families and the newly enacted Welfare Reform Act. Special priority and a competitive advantage was given to applicants.

• To coordinate public relations and legislative advocacy at both the state and federal level for member programs.
• To provide a forum for networking and issues information sharing.
• To take official positions on issues that affect Head Start families.
• To distribute information and resources from NHSA and from the Oregon Department of Education.
• To elect representatives to attend the regional and national Head Start meetings.

• To ensure that representatives are duly elected by the Policy Council and staff prior to the November state meeting each year.
• To provide clear program expectations regarding OHSA representation.
• To provide clear information to elected representatives as to what specific support will be provided in regards to transportation, lodging and meals, child care, work coverage, and clerical support for OHSA business.
• To pay OHSA dues in a timely manner.
• To provide a forum for representatives to share information with staff and Policy Council.

• To be duly elected by, and represent the local program at the state level.
• To facilitate a two-way communication flow between the local program and OHSA.
• To be able to attend three state meetings annually.
• To fully participate in all scheduled meetings, trainings and elections.
• To represent local programs and OHSA in a positive manner in the communities visited.

Parents: To work with local programs to arrange your child care and travel plans.

Staff: To make arrangements for coverage of work during your absence.