Family Engagement...

Being the best you can be!  Qualifications that exceed all others!

• License Program Outline: click here to view

• The Family Engagement Credential/License program is a major effort initiated by HS University to improve the quality of Head Start employees by improving, evaluating and  recognizing the competence of employees of Head Start. The Head Start performance standard and Head Start PFCE Framework define the training and job performance needed by Head Start employees and are the foundation of our license and credential program. This program is designed for those responsible for monitoring, managing and implementating of Family Support services. It provide students with the tools and best practices necessary to meet training and compliance requirements in family engagement and support the needs of Head Start Families. Participants learn about practical tools, strategies, and techniques that will make family service support to be dynamic, engaging, and effective. The program will help pograms optimize your abilitity to engage families and produce outcomes that meet compliance requirements. Each program runs 12-36 weeks in length. The course are offered in pairs, or "blocks," designed to complement each other. In these programs, emphasis is placed in the 2 days courses or online classes on regulatory compliance, reading and online discussion and a work project to reinforce the practices and principles learned in the courses. HS University offers the following credential/license programs to enrolled students.

	Family Engagement Administrator Credential
	Family Engagement Supervisor Credential
	Family Engagement Management License

• The program provides a basic academic foundation and professional development for family support staff. An important professional credential or license offers Head Start family workers an opportunity to advance their careers and serve children and families more effectively. A license is a "collegiate diploma". It is a post-secondary academic process of establishing the qualifications of professionals working in Family Engagement. Upon the completion of HS University's family engagement credential orlicense, yourcredential/license will be based on the NationalAssociation of Social Workers (NASW) continuing education requirements and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) educational standards. HS University's Family Engagement credential/license program also aligns with Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) relationship-based competencies. 

• Learning Outcomes
• Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates will be able to:

1.	Develop knowledge of relationship building that is grounded in cross-cultural responsive and strength based perspectives
2.	Gain knowledge about mental health, child development and a variety of parenting practices, including unique ways to engage fathers
3.	Develop knowledge and skills in supporting families around financial literacy and financial stability
4.	Reflect on daily practice and personal experience to increase self-awareness and effective relationship-building with families
5.	Develop knowledge of professional ethics around confidentiality, boundaries and self determination
6.	Develop skills in coordination and collaboration with community partners
8.	Use family partnership assessment as a tool for relationship building and a basis for ongoing individualized family services
9.	Help families identify their interest, articulate their strengths and needs and accomplish and/or develop goals
10.	Use goal-oriented home visits to establish relationships with families and to identify and support their interests and needs through the family partnership process
11.	Assist families in using resources and systems of support regularly and continuously over a period of time.
12.	Gain knowledge about:
	--	the needs of prenatal and postnatal pregnant women and their families
	--	the needs of parents who are parenting a child with a disability
	--	Unique ways to engage fathers
	--	how mental health and wellness affects families
	--	Child development
	--	the effects of trauma on parent child relationships
	--	a variety of parenting practices
13.	Provide opportunity for parents to learn about expectant parenting and pre-natal health, the developing role of young parents (for adolescence) and/or about their role.

• Why do I need a credential/license?
• Being a credential/license Family Engagement professional makes all the difference.  Family workers who want recognition for their professional achievement and who want to unlock new career paths come to HS University for their credentials.

• What is an Family Engagement credential/license?
• Obtaining a Family Engagement credential/license is the next progression in a Family Manager professional career.  Beyond the educational degree, a professional credential/license denotes professional commitment and achievement and represents a "plus" feature of certifying knowledge and experience that meets or exceeds excellence in family services at the national level.  Professional family service workers agree to a critical review process that includes evaluation of the candidate's educational preparation, practice experience and peer review of observable skills and abilities.
• .
• Why obtain a credential/license?
• Having a Family Engagement Credential/License means you:

1. --Become a part of the most widely recognized work organization in the nation

1. --Are recognized as having in-depth knowledge, proven work experience, leadership capacity, competence and dedication to the nutrtion work profession
2. --Agree to a critical review process that strives to measure adherence to a Code of Ethics, Standards of Continuing Education and in-depth practicum in the area of nutrition service specialized management practices
3. --Help Head Start programs develop a high quality, leadership skills within their program and develop systems and methodologies to ensure excellence in service.