Tri County Child & Family Development Inc. is a local non-profit corporation. We have the privilege of holding the Federal grant to implement the Federal Head Start program in Black Hawk, Buchanan, and Grundy counties in Iowa.
Tri County Child & Family Development is a single purpose agency founded 30+ years ago, with hopes of keeping a viable Head Start program in our area. Our mission has been to serve the children and families in these counties.
Role of the Governing Body
The Head Start Grantee for Black Hawk, Buchanan, and Grundy Counties is Tri County Child and Family Development Council, Inc. This is the governing body. As stewards of their organization, the Head Start governing body must actively participate in a strategic planning process with the policy group, program staff, and other community organizations.
This process includes determining the program’s philosophy, developing long-and-short range goals and objectives, and securing adequate resources for the agency to implement its goals and fulfill the mission. The governing body has the legal and fiduciary responsibilities for the Head Start grant. They must oversee the integrity of the program and assure fiscal oversight, including internal controls.
The Board of Directors Meeting is held the 3rd Tuesday of every month, except July, at 5:30 pm.
Policy Council
Federal law provides that every Head Start program has a Policy Council, mostly made up of parents, which oversees how the grantee agency runs the program in their area. They discuss and vote on issues such as hiring teachers, curriculum, health issues, and criteria to get into our program. Each of our centers, and our home-based program, has a Center Committee which elects someone to represent them on the Policy Council.
Policy Council Meeting is 6:00 PM on the Monday prior to the Board of Directors Meeting. Childcare and a light supper are provided.