Policy Council – No experience necessary, just a desire to learn more
When we come together as parents, staff, Policy Councils, and governing Boards we can ensure that our youngest children have a solid foundation for life.
Policy Council members are currently enrolled Head Start parents and interested community members who act as a link between those people making and carrying out decisions and the people Head Start serves. Policy Council members are elected by their peers (see Policy Council handbook -English / Spanish)
Policy Council must work in partnership with key management and the Board of Directors to develop, review and approve policies, strategic directions, criteria for the recruitment, selection and enrollment of children, funding applications, personnel and other business orientated activities that requires Policy Council’s approval. A governance flow chart helps link management, Board and Policy Council responsibilities together.
Policy Council meets the second Tuesday of the month from 6-9pm at the Whiteaker Head Start Center, 21 North Grand St, Eugene. The 2019-2020 dates are:
August 13, 2019
September 10, 2019
October 8, 2019 (October 24 is training for new members)
November 12, 2019
December 10, 2019
January 7, 2020
February 11, 2020
March 10, 2020
April 14, 2020
May 12, 2020
June 9, 2020
No July meeting
August 11, 2020
September 8, 2020
October 13, 2020
November 10, 2020 (completed one-year term)
Other Important Groups
• Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, Attendance (ERSEA) Committee meets to discuss ways to inform and attract families to Head Start.
• Curriculum Committee meets to discuss classroom supplies, equipment and curriculum used.
• Health Services Advisory Committee is a group of professionals meeting to review data on the health of Lane County children.
• Hiring Panels want parents to be part of the interview and recommendation process to hire the most qualified person for the job.
Board of Directors
Head Start of Lane County Board of Directors represent community members with experience in fiscal management, legal and early childhood education, the Policy Council Vice Chair and past Head Start parents. Additional Board members reflect the communities served in Lane County.
This partnership helps to ensure that professional skills and business knowledge are balanced with the equally important voices of families who have children in the program. Volunteering many hours, the Board of Directors help guide and direct our program to benefit our community’s youngest citizens.
The Board of Directors meets the third Tuesday of the month from 6-8pm at the Head Start central office, 221 B Street, Springfield. The 2018-2019 schedule is:
August 20, 2019
September 17, 2019
October 15, 2019
November 19, 2019
December 17, 2019
January 21, 2020
February 18, 2020
March 17, 2020
April 21, 2020
May 19, 2020
June 16, 2020
July – no meeting scheduled
Board Members
Karianne Conway, Chair
Paulette Ansari, Vice Chair
Mandy Field, Secretary
Sid Crenwelge
Heather Edge
Ed Feil
Chad Hamilton
Executive Policy Council Members
Gena Weishar, Chair
Loren FiField, Vice Chair
Michelle West, Secretary
Tiffany Sanderson, Parliamentarian
Jessica Long, Treasurer
Sara Faria, Historian