Systemic, integrated, and comprehensive Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) begins with positive, goal-oriented relationships. PFCE focuses first on the family and child outcomes that it is designed to achieve.
In line with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF), the overarching outcomes that virtually all programs strive for are that children are:
- Safe
- Healthy and well
- Learning and developing
- Engaged in positive relationships with family members, caregivers, and other children
- Ready for school
- Successful in school and life
Key Resources
- ELOF Implementation Toolkit—Implementation Guide: Using the ELOF to Establish School Readiness Goals
- Curriculum Alignment with the ELOF
- Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework
- Nature-Based Learning and Development
- Encouraging Strong Parent-Child Relationships
- Building Partnerships with Families: Guide to Developing Relationships with Families
- Family Engagement and School Readiness
Research
- Dearing, E., Kreider, H., Weiss, H. B. (2008). Increased Family Involvement in School Predicts Improved Child-Teacher Relationships and Feelings About School for Low-Income Children. Marriage & Family Review, 43(3-4), 226–254.
- El Nokali, N. E., Bachman, H. J., Votruba-Drzal, E. (2010). Parent Involvement and Children's Academic and Social Development in Elementary School. Child Development, 81(3), 988–1005. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01447.x
- Froiland, J. M., Peterson, A., Davison, M. L. (2013). The Long-Term Effects of Early Parent Involvement and Parent Expectation in the USA. School Psychology International, 34(1), 33–50. doi: 10.1177/0143034312454361
- Klebanov, M. S., Travis, A. D. (2015). The Critical Role of Parenting in Human Development. New York, NY: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
- Sheridan, S. M., Knoche, L. L., Edwards, C. P., Bovaird, J. , Kupzyk, K. A. (2010). Parent Engagement and School Readiness: Effects of the Getting Ready Intervention on Preschool Children's Social-Emotional Competencies. Early Education and Development, 21(1), 125–156.
- Sheridan, S. M., Knoche, L. L., Kupzyk, K. A., Edwards, C. P., Marvin, C. A. (2011). A Randomized Trial Examining the Effects of Parent Engagement on Early Language and Literacy: The Getting Ready intervention. Journal of School Psychology, 49(3), 361–383. doi: 10.1016/j.jsp.2011.03.001
- Smythe-Leistico, K. J., Young, C. P., Mulvey, L. A., McCall, R. , Petruska, M., Barone-Martin, C., ... Coffee, B. A. (2012). Blending Theory with Practice: Implementing Kindergarten Transition Using the Systems Framework. American Journal of Community Psychology, 50(3–4), 357–369. Retrieved from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1007/s10464-012-9505-y
- Starkey, P., Klein, A. (2000). Fostering Parental Support for Children's Mathematical Development: An Intervention with Head Start Families. Early Education and Development, 11(5), 659–680.
Regulations
- Part 1302—Program Operations
- Home-based option, 45 CFR § 22 (d)
- Teaching and the learning environment , 45 CFR § 1302.31
- Curricula, 45 CFR § 1302.32
- Child screenings and assessments, 45 CFR § 1302.33
- Parent and family engagement in education and child development services, 45 CFR § 1302.34
- Education in home-based programs, 45 CFR § 1302.35
- Tribal language preservation and revitalization, 45 CFR § 1302.36
- Child health status and care, 45 CFR § 1302.42
- Oral health practices, 45 CFR § 1302.43
- Safety practices, 45 CFR § 1302.47
- Family engagement, 45 CFR § 1302.50
- Parent activities to promote child learning and development, 45 CFR § 1302.51
- Family partnership services, 45 CFR § 1302.52
- Community partnerships and coordination with other early childhood and education programs, 45 CFR § 1302.53
- Transitions from Early Head Start, 45 CFR § 1302.70
- Transitions from Head Start to kindergarten, 45 CFR § 1302.71
- Transitions between programs, 45 CFR § 1302.72
- Subpart I—Human Resources Management
- Personnel policies, 45 CFR § 1302.90 (b)(5)
- Subpart J—Program Management and Quality Improvement, Purpose, 45 CFR § 1302.100
- Achieving program goals, 45 CFR § 1302.102 (a)(2)(3)
- Safety procedures, 45 CFR § 1303.74 (a)(b)
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Last Updated: May 12, 2025