Pursuant to 45 CFR Section 1304.50 of the Head Start Act, the Hinds County Human Resource Agency Head Start Policy Council consists of 29-35 members and serves as a link to Parent Committees, the HCHRA Governing Board of Directors, public and private organizations, and the communities served. The Council is composed of Head Start parents, representatives from the HCHRA Board of Directors, and citizens from the community. This composition ensures that parents and community representatives have an opportunity and are empowered to actively participate in the shared decision-making process of Hinds County Project Head Start.
The Hinds County Human Resource Agency (HCHRA) acknowledges that it is essential for the Head Start Program to reflect the community as a whole. Therefore, pursuant to 45 CFR Section 1304.50 of the Program Performance Standards for the Operation of Head Start Programs, a formal Policy Council structure was developed to make certain that Head Start parents and other community representatives have accessibility and encouragement to fully participate in shared decision-making. To ensure effectiveness, Policy Council members are required to take part in various trainings and assessment activities. HCHRA’s Vice President for Head Start provides oversight for the Council making sure that all responsibilities are effectively and expeditiously carried out.