“Each school year, the Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Council or HPC parent representatives and alternates are elected through the parent-level committee at the first policy council meetings,” said Jolene Guerrero Sablan, Head Start/ Early Head Start family and community partnership manager.
The members of the Center Parent Involvement Committee are parents or guardians of the 460 children enrolled in Head Start or Early Head Start.
Sablan said the parent committee is like the Parent Teacher Student Associations in elementary, middle, and high schools.
New Head Start/Early Head Start program has introduced new policy council officials. Front row: Jerika Laniyo, Rosemarie Skilling, Jacob Lizama, Ashley Bornilla, Javie Decena, Jennilyn Cruz, Millianna Camacho. Back row: Vivian Hocog, Bijoy Krisno Kundu, Alexander Standish, Joseph Barcinas, and Gertrude Li. Photo by Lori Lyn C. Lirio
“All families that have a child attending Head Start or Early Head Start are automatically members of the committee. But in order to become a member of the policy council, they have to be elected by committee members,” Sablan said.
The committee members have elected 10 parents and four community representatives to the policy council.
The Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Council “works closely with the program’s management team and governing body to set the program direction,” Sablan said.
Recognizing that parents are essential partners in educating young children, Head Start created the policy council.
“Children, parents, and the program benefit when parents take on leadership roles,” the council stated. “Children learn more and experience healthier development at school and at home. Parents can become more confident, gain skills, and connect with other parents and staff. Program staff learn about the strengths, interests, and needs of the children, families, and community they serve.”
Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Council members:
Chairman: Jacob Lizama
Vice Chairwoman: Javie Decena
Treasurer: Alexander Standish
Secretary: Rosemarie S. Skilling
Representatives:
Aprilyn Litulumar
Vivian Hocog
Bijoy Krisno Kundu
Juan Lizama
Ashley Bornilla
Saipan Community Representatives:
Roxanne Torres
and Dolores Sablan
Tinian Community Representative:
Jesusa Atalig
Rota Community Representative:
Dominica Cajucom
Board of Education Representative:
Janice Tenorio
Alternates:
Amzad Khan
Ryissa Rinith T. Demola
Michael Zandueta
Francisco Jr. Cepeda Macaranas
Aprilyn Litulumar
Gertrude Li
Jerika Laniyo
Vivian Hocog
Joseph Barcinas
Bijoy Krisno Kundu
Marissa Cepeda
Juan Lizama
Millianna Camacho
Jennielyn Cruz
Ashley Bornilla
Ma. Theresa Atienza
