The Program Governance structure exists in a Head Start program to support the delivery of quality services to children and families and to support the meaningful role of parents in shared decision making. Each program is governed by a Governance Board and a parent Policy Council.
![](https://heartlandheadstart.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/governance.png)
Policy Council
![](https://heartlandheadstart.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/governance-board1.jpeg)
The Policy Council actively participates in the development of school readiness goals and helps to assess the program’s progress in achieving those goals. The Policy Council also promotes the critical role that parents play in supporting their children’s progress towards school readiness.
Governance Board
![](https://heartlandheadstart.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/governance-board.jpeg)
The purpose of the Governance Board is to make decisions and advise Heartland Head Start on all legal and fiscal aspects of the agency. Members with expertise in fiscal management, law, and early childhood use their knowledge to guide and direct Heartland Head Start’s program, and additional members reflect the community being served.