Page 55 - PROGRAM IMPACT AND SATIFACTION AS SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF HEAD START PARENTS

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Results from the End-of-the-Year Parent Survey demonstrate that parents overall had a positive experience in the Head Start program and were receptive to the vast number of resources the program offers. Parents demonstrated a need for child care, particularly for their child in the Head Start program. Child care now or in the next six months was the most needed type of child care reported by Head Start parents. Child care was one of the service or resource that parents had the most difficulty in accessing from Head Start staff and a lack of reliable child care was one of the reasons why parents had difficulty finding a job or continuing their education. It may be of the Head Start program’s interest to strategize ways of ensuring parents have access to quality child care services, and especially as the program year for the Head Start program concludes.
In terms of health, most parents had not taken their Head Start child to the ER to receive treatment in the last 12 months, but those who did, usually took their child in because of a fever. English-speaking parents reported that they had medical insurance and had received dental services in the last 12 months more often than Spanish-speaking parents. The Head Start staff may consider outreach strategies to connect all Head Start parents, and especially Spanish- speaking parents, with health services, including a medical home.
Parents demonstrated that they want to participate and be included in their child’s education and in Head Start activities. Yet, most parents reported that a schedule that conflicts with work or school is often a barrier to participating in Head Start meetings, trainings, and events. Parents indicated that they were most likely able to participate in activities held in the morning and in Spanish. There were, however, several parents who indicated that they prefer both English and Spanish or Arabic. Additionally, the statement, the Head Start staff encouraged me to participate in different activities in the Head Start program was one of the statements with which the least percentages of parents agreed. Staff may want to ensure it continually informs parents of opportunities to become involved, develop more parent-child activities, and continue to consider parents’ language when planning events.
Nearly half of all parents who completed the survey agreed that their neighborhoods would be better if it had less crime and violence and their housing would improve if more affordable housing was available. Differences, however, existed between English and Spanish-speaking parents. While most English-speaking parents indicated that other factors would contribute to a better neighborhood, Spanish-speaking parents reported that more nearby schools would improve their neighborhood. Furthermore, most English-speaking parents indicated that the question about housing did not apply to them. Spanish-speaking parents reported that a landowner who takes care of pest or rodent control problems would make their housing better. The health implications of living in a neighborhood with crime and violence or in an apartment or unit in which the landowner does not get rid of rodents or pests is significant. The health of children living under these conditions can be compromised as they may experience anxiety or develop asthma among other health issues.
CCRC’s Head Start Parents Page | 52 December 2014