Page 28 - PROGRAM IMPACT AND SATIFACTION AS SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF HEAD START PARENTS

Parents also had the opportunity to report other commitments and reasons why they had difficulty in participating. Nearly 25% of parents indicated that they did not participate because of other commitments or reasons. The most common commitments and reasons parents stated were related to health and child care. Sixteen parents wrote a comment indicating that they did not participate because of health related reasons such as bed-rest due to a high risk pregnancy, the parent has a disability, or frequent doctor visits because of an illness. Sixteen parents also commented that they had difficulty participating in Head Start meetings, trainings, and events because they have younger children for whom they care or they look after children that are not their own. Five parents stated that the participation activities were not held on a day or at a time in which she or he could attend. One parent noted that language was a barrier. Time of day and language will be discussed later on in this report. Chart 16 presents the other commitments or reasons why parents had difficulty participating in Head Start meetings, trainings, and events.
CHART 16: Other commitments and reasons why parents had difficulty participating in Head Start meetings, trainings, and events
Arthur Avila was the Head Start Center with the lowest percentage of parents who reported difficulty in participating in meetings, trainings, and events (21.6%). Tulsa was the Head Start Center with the highest percentage of parents (55.2%) who reported that they had difficulty in participating (see Table 12 in the Appendix for more information). Chase was the Head Start Center from which a greater percentage of parents reported that they had difficulty participating because their work or school schedule interfered. Chart 17 presents the Head Start Centers with the greatest percentage of parents for each barrier option provided in the survey.
CCRC’s Head Start Parents Page | 25 December 2014