Hidalgo County Head Start Program Home

The Fatherhood Family Wellness Conference was held on February 20th at the Doubletree Suites in McAllen, TX.
Father involvement is essential to parent, family, and community engagement initiatives. The Hidalgo County Head Start program staff are committed to integrating fathers as advocates, lifelong educators, and first teachers to their children. Father figures are crucial for the healthy development of their children as they support and reinforce family wellness. Consequently, Head Start proactively explores resources to enhance and motivate father engagement by focusing on their strengths, interests, and needs, thereby significantly enriching their Head Start communities. It was a cold day, but it did not keep our parents from showing up and participating in the conference. Keynote Speaker: Ricardo Rodriguez, Jr. shared the importance on being a role model for your children. Other sessions presenters included: Ms. Adelita Figueroa-Munoz, Judge Andre Maldonado, Terri Cossio, Alfred Molina, and Tomas Tamez.

The Governance Conference was held October 11-13 at South Padre Island, Tx. The theme for this year was One Team, One Dream. The conference was attended by the Head Start Administration and the newly elected Policy Council Members. Topics presented were: Head Start Overview, Framework of Conference, Importance of Team Building, Head Start Essentials & ERSEA Training, and Head Start Department Overview from Department Officers and Directors. They also learned the roles and responsibilities of the Policy Council, and Governance Structure and Bylaws. The new Policy Council members got the opportunity to network with each other and the Head Start staff.

The HCHSP is divided into six (6) geographic areas. The Policy Council is made up of 6 parent representatives whose children are currently enrolled in the program along with 5 community representatives who the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court appoints. This is similar to a school board for the Head Start program. The Policy Council members meet monthly (the third Wednesday of each month) to help lead the program and participate in important decision-making governing the HCHSP. Elections for Policy Council parent representatives are held during the Parent Leadership Conference in October. To become a Policy Council Member, Parents • must attend the first parent committee meeting at their child's campus held in September. • They must be elected as a Parent Committee Officer for the campus and the Campus Officers will elected. Campus officers consist of a PC parent rep, 1st alternate, and 2nd alternate for each area. • Policy Council members must attend monthly meetings to make informed decisions on behalf of HCHSP. Parent Leadership Conference was held on September 28, 2024 at Double Tree Suites in McAllen, Tx.

On behalf of the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court and the Head Start Policy Council, I want to welcome you to the 2024-25 School Year. I hope you had a restful and well-deserved summer break. As we start the school year, it is our hope that you are excited and ready to make the investment in our Head Start children and families. Together, we have the capacity to create one of the highest performing Head Start programs in the state that is child and family-centered and is committed to educational excellence that will impact our communities for generations to come.
Our dedicated and committed administrators and administrative support staff are committed to providing our Head Start Campuses with the assistance needed to deliver the highest quality educational experience that we can envision for our children. EXCELLENCE has no finish line – so as we start the new school year, I am asking for each of us to help sustain what will take place every day in the Head Start classrooms. Moreover, the academic and social-emotional experiences that we will provide our children must go hand-in-hand with encouraging and strengthening our Head Start parents and families.
Setting the stage for success is a pledge that our ISD partners have committed to. We are excited as we prepare our children to become kindergarten ready. It is our goal that all our children will develop the skills necessary to become resilient and resourceful learners as they begin their journey from the Head Start classroom to the university classroom. General Assembly was held August 5- 6, 2024 at UTRGV Performing Arts Building in Edinburg, Tx.

The Human Resources staff coordinated the yearly Staff Awards and Recognition Luncheon with an "All About Texas" theme. Hats and cowboy boots were part of the dress attire this year with a touch of bandanas! Head Start celebrated staff who reached a milestone period of service that included 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years of service. Retirees were celebrated for their valuable contribution to the children and families of Head Start and graduates were honored for their achievement to further their education. Guests included representative Jose Cabeza De Vaca for Commissioner David L. Fuentes, PCT 1, representatives Jorge Arcaute and Anibal Resendez for Commissioner Everardo Villarreal, PCT 3, and Commissioner Ellie Torres, PCT 4 with her representative Dr. Culbertson. Staff Awards and Recognition Luncheon was held Friday, June 7, 2024 at Double Tree Suites in McAllen, Tx.