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42 U.S. Code § 9837. Powers and functions of Head Start agencies
(a) Authority
To be designated as a Head Start agency under this subchapter, an agency shall have authority under its charter or applicable law to receive and administer funds under this subchapter, funds and contributions from private or local public sources that may be used in support of a Head Start program, and funds under any Federal or State assistance program pursuant to which a public or private nonprofit or for-profit agency (as the case may be) organized in accordance with this subchapter, could act as grantee, contractor, or sponsor of projects appropriate for inclusion in a Head Start program. Such an agency shall also be empowered to transfer funds so received, and to delegate powers to other agencies, subject to the powers of its governing board and its overall program responsibilities. The power to transfer funds and delegate powers shall include the power to make transfers and delegations covering component projects in all cases where this will contribute to efficiency and effectiveness or otherwise further program objectives.
(b) Family and community involvement; family servicesTo be so designated, a Head Start agency shall, at a minimum, do all the following to involve and serve families and communities:
(1)
Provide for the regular and direct participation of parents and community residents in the implementation of the Head Start program, including decisions that influence the character of such program, consistent with paragraphs (2)(D) and (3)(C) of subsection (c).
(2)
Seek the involvement of parents, community residents, and local business in the design and implementation of the program.
(3) Establish effective procedures—
(A)
to facilitate and seek the involvement of parents of participating children in activities designed to help such parents become full partners in the education of their children; and
(B)
to afford such parents the opportunity to participate in the development and overall conduct of the program at the local level, including transportation assistance as appropriate.
(4) Offer (directly or through referral to local entities, public and school libraries, and entities carrying out family support programs) to such parents—
(A)
family literacy services; and
(B)
parenting skills training.
(5)
Offer to parents of participating children substance abuse counseling (either directly or through referral to local entities), if needed, including information on the effect of drug exposure on infants and fetal alcohol syndrome.
(6) At the option of such agency, offer (directly or through referral to local entities) to such parents—
(A)
training in basic child development (including cognitive, social, and emotional development);
(B)
assistance in developing literacy and communication skills;
(C)
opportunities to share experiences with other parents (including parent-mentor relationships);
(D)
health services, including information on maternal depression;
(E)
regular in-home visitation; or
(F)
any other activity designed to help such parents become full partners in the education of their children.
(7)
Provide, with respect to each participating family, a family needs assessment that includes consultation with such parents (including foster parents, grandparents, and kinship caregivers, where applicable), in a manner and language that such parents can understand (to the extent practicable), about the benefits of parent involvement and about the activities described in this subsection in which such parents may choose to be involved (taking into consideration their specific family needs, work schedules, and other responsibilities).
(8)
Consider providing services to assist younger siblings of children participating in its Head Start program to obtain health services from other sources.
(9)
Perform community outreach to encourage individuals previously unaffiliated with Head Start programs to participate in its Head Start program as volunteers.
(10)
(A)
Inform custodial parents in single-parent families that participate in programs, activities, or services carried out or provided under this subchapter about the availability of child support services for purposes of establishing paternity and acquiring child support.
(B)
Refer eligible parents to the child support offices of State and local governments.
(11)
Provide to parents of limited English proficient children outreach and information, in an understandable and uniform format and, to the extent practicable, in a language that the parents can understand.