Annual Community Assessment Update Considerations
Assess significant community changes, including regulatory updates, that could affect program operations and service delivery.
Program Planning
Thoughtful planning is critical to programming. Explore these resources for guidance throughout the five-year Head Start grant cycle. Learn how to establish continuous cycles of improvement that involve key stakeholders in data-based decision-making. Find resources to help build on achievable program and school readiness goals and fiscal objectives. Discover materials that guide grantees in creating community and self-assessments, and achieve positive outcomes for children and families.
Program planning and service system design together make up one of the 12 management, planning, and oversight systems of the Management Systems Wheel.
Pandemic Programmatic and Community Update
Use this matrix to strategically plan early childhood education program operations and services during a pandemic.
Services and Coordinated Approaches
Explore how a community assessment can help mobilize community resources and partnerships.
Community Assessment: The Foundation for Program Planning in Head Start
Explore community assessment standards and best practices. Learn how community assessments help programs remain responsive to the children and families they serve.
Why Conduct a Community Assessment?
Consider how the data gathered during a community assessment will be used to inform strategic planning, goal setting, and decision-making.
What Is Included in a Community Assessment?
Review what should be included in a community assessment.
Build on a Responsive Community Assessment
The community assessment is a way to jumpstart the program planning process. Learn how the assessment helps Head Start programs provide key services to the children and families that need them.
Community Assessment Matrix
The community assessment describes the context in which Head Start programs operate and is useful for ensuring that the correct services are provided to the appropriate population. This resource can assist program staff in coordinating their efforts to gather information required for a community assessment. The assessment paints a picture of the community and describes the different needs of families who may receive services. In addition, the community assessment covers the community's history, its economic and political scene, and its strengths and challenges.
Conducting Public Forums and Listening Sessions
Nothing ensures the success of a program more than community participation in assessing their perceived needs, strengths, and hopes for the future. Programs can use this resource to plan and coordinate their community assessment. It provides insight into public forums and listening sessions. Learn how to conduct them to engage your community in identifying and solving problems.