WHSA Parent Affiliate
Wisconsin Head Start Association (WHSA) member programs (those federally recognized and dues-paying Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Wisconsin) are represented in the association by program directors, program staff, and program parents who are involved with either the director, staff, or parent affiliate depending on their positions within the local program.
What is the Purpose of the WHSA Parent Affiliate? What Do Parent Affiliate Members Do?
Within the association, the Parent Affiliate is charged to represent parent and family interests. Like the other two affiliates, the Parent Affiliate provides recommendations and suggests action items for consideration by the Board of Directors (the association’s decision-making and governing body). All three affiliates are comprised of leaders who help WHSA fulfill its mission to continue to strengthen Early Head Start and Head Start programs for the benefit of children, families, and communities through advocacy, professional development, and strategic alliances.
Outside of the association, Parent Affiliate representatives act as liaisons between local, state, and regional Head Start/Early Head Start communities and as Head Start ambassadors in the larger early childhood community.
During their meetings, members of the Parent Affiliate exchange ideas and resources, network with one another, receive parent-specific training, and advocate and act on behalf of young children and their families.
Can I Become a Parent Affiliate Member? How?
Each Parent Affiliate member must be the parent or guardian of a child enrolled in a member Head Start or Early Head Start program in the current or immediate past program year. Members are elected or selected by the individual Wisconsin Head Start or Early Head Start program in which their child is enrolled. Each local program decides how it will elect or select WHSA Parent Affiliate representatives and whether or not representatives will attend WHSA meetings. These decisions are made entirely at each local program’s discretion–WHSA has no role in the local program election or selection process. If you are interested in becoming a member of the WHSA Parent Affiliate, the first step is always to be active and involved with Head Start at the local level. WHSA Parent Affiliate members first pursue opportunities and leadership roles within their own programs.
Who Represents the Parent Affiliate on the WHSA Board of Directors?
The Parent Affiliate and its interests are represented on the WHSA Board of Directors by five Parent Affiliate Officers: President, Vice-President, Recorder, Region V Head Start Association Representative, and At-Large Representative. Each Officer is elected by Parent Affiliate members. Current Parent Affiliate Officers are listed on the WHSA Board of Directors page.
Parent Affiliate members interested in holding one of the Officer leadership positions must submit a letter of consent from their program’s Director verifying their eligibility to run and their program’s support in carrying out the duties of the Officer. Only current Head Start or Early Head Start parents, or those who will be a current parent in the next program year, may seek Officer positions.
When Does the Parent Affiliate Meet?
The Parent Affiliate meets at each WHSA Quarterly meeting. Quarterlies take place in January, April, June, and October of each year. Occasionally, Parent Affiliate members meet via a teleconference to discuss business, prepare for their face-to-face meetings prior to a Quarterly, or follow-up on items after a Quarterly.
