How to Hire a Head Start Consultant
At some time or another, a Head Start program may decide that the problem they’re facing needs the expertise and advice of an outside consultant. Consultants play an important part of any successful Head Start program and can help bring lasting change and quality improvements to a program.
The Strategic Use of Consultants Guide was developed to help agencies design their targeted training and technical assistance needs and hire consultants to fill those needs. We won’t go into great detail on the Guide for the purposes of this blog. Instead, we interviewed a Head Start director about her experience with using consultants. Here are some of the things we learned from that conversation.
Why hire a consultant?
Being a strong leader means knowing when to ask for help. The Georgia Center for Nonprofits cites three reasons to hire an outside consultant: objectivity, specialized expertise, and experience.
Objectivity
Sometimes it takes an outsider without preconceived notions to help the agency gain perspective.
Specialized Expertise
A good consultant will specialize in a few highly specific areas. And while volunteers are useful resources, every nonprofit organization can tell you there’s a big difference between paid assistance and volunteer assistance.
Experience
Consultants will have a breadth of knowledge that can only be gained by training many agencies in the same topic over and over. They’ve probably already seen your problem before, and know how to solve it effectively and efficiently.
Where to find a consultant?
Most of the time agencies find consultants at conferences or from references from other Head Start programs. Also, the State Association can be helpful in providing ideas for consultants in specific areas. It’s a good idea to keep a database of consultants available. Every time you hear of a consultant or meet one at a conference, log their contact information and areas of expertise. Even if you don’t need their services now, you may later.
How to choose the right person?
In the Strategic Use of Consultants Guide, OHS suggests the following strategy in hiring a consultant:
• Advertising the position
• Seeking qualified candidates from your organization’s consultant pool
• Making the most of talent within your organization
• Soliciting the advice of Head Start colleagues and partners
However, as any Head Start leader will tell you, when choosing your consultant, don’t underestimate the value of your intuition and the importance of feeling comfortable with the person you’re choosing. It’s much easier to communicate and engage in honest dialogue with your consultant if you feel camaraderie and trust. In your interview, you may want to ask questions about their passion for Head Start or early childhood education in general.
What about costs?
Everyone at some point has had experience with the old adage: You get what you pay for. While price is an important consideration, it shouldn’t be the ONLY consideration. Head Start agencies are not made of money, and every dollar is crucial, especially with the estimated 5% reduction expected across the board. Make sure the consultant can provide the right balance of expertise and service you require to move your program forward. Otherwise, it’s just money wasted.
What about The Gravely Group?
The Gravely Group is a national training and consulting agency for Head Start programs, providing training on several program areas, including Program Governance, Effective Meetings, Board Development, Parent Involvement, Fatherhood, and Team Building. We are also experienced in training AIAN (American Indian Alaska Native) programs.
Tags: head start consultant
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Community Needs Assessment 2020
COASTAL COMMUNITY ACTION, INC.
Newport, North Carolina
Coastal Community Action, Inc.-Family and Children’s Services Program (FCSP) is requesting proposals, with statements of qualifications from contractors with expertise to review, compile and analyze data related to the diverse needs of children, families, elderly and other populations throughout the eastern, coastal region of North Carolina. The contractor will provide consultation services and technical assistance to conduct a community-wide strategic planning and needs assessment in accordance with Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) 1302.11(b). The assessment, at a minimum will provide a comprehensive analysis with relevant knowledge to determine strengths, trends, and critical issues throughout the community. The focus of the data will be in those areas expressing the greatest need for improving conditions for education, health, housing, social and economic impact for children and families. The development of the Community Assessment will cover the four-county FCSP service area of Carteret, Craven, Jones and Pamlico counties and will assist in the identification of new and underserved populations in the community. This assessment of community strengths, needs and resources will be conducted for the said four counties for the following programs:
Head Start, Early Head Start and the Community Services Block Grant.
Proposals at a minimum must include statements of qualifications, scope of work, and cost for services. Electronic submissions should be scanned as an attachment and e-mailed to:
Helen Gregory at helen.gregory@coastalca.org
Please enter in the subject line: “Proposal for Community Assessment”
Hard copy proposals will be mailed to: ATTN: Helen Gregory, Coastal Community Action, Inc. at 303 McQueen Avenue, Newport, NC 28570. Submissions will be accepted until July 24th at 5:00 p.m.
Proposals will be publicly opened on July 25, 2019 and read aloud at 4:00 p.m.
Coastal Community Action is an equal opportunity employer and service provider, and encourages participation by small, minority and female-headed firms. Coastal Community Action, Inc. reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals. This information is available also in Spanish. Please contact Charlotte Neely, FCSP Program Director at (252) 223-1655, by e-mail at charlotte.neely@coastalca.org, or at Coastal Community Action, Inc.’s Administration Office at 303 McQueen Avenue, Newport, NC 28570 for accommodations for this request.
I am looking for consultant, to consult me how to start new head star.
thanks
Good morning,
SER has been awarded an Early Head Start Grant, we are seeking an Early Head Start Governance Consultant. Please see below:
The consultant, is to provide the following expertise and training:
Fundamentals of Head Start History, Culture & Mission
Head Start Facts: Funding, Services, Outcomes Federal & Regional Structure
Acronyms: The Alphabet Soup of What We Do
Legislative and Regulatory Framework for Governance Head Start Act
Performance Standards and NPR
IMs, Pis & Policy Clarifications
Governance in the Head Start Management System
Governance Roles and Responsibilities Grantee Sub-Board
Policy Council Administration
Policy Pyramid and Putting It Together
From Regulation to Practice: Effective Governance at the Grantee Level
Local By-Laws & Policy Documents Governance Readiness Tool
Questions That Matter and Meaningful Governance
Delivery Method : Via Live Webinar
Duration: 8 Sessions
If interested please email your proposal to etrevino@ser-national.org by no later than September 17, 2015 by cob.
Good Afternoon,
SER has been awarded an Early Head Start Grant, we are seeking a Curriculum Specialist Implementation Consultant. Please see below:
The consultant, is to provide the following expertise and services:
Develop short term and long term goals and objectives for the curriculum and instruction for infants and toddlers as described by the Head Start Program Standards, Head Start Readiness Goals, Texas Licensing Guidelines, Texas Education Agency and any other required early childhood guidelines, inclusive of:
1. Establishing goals and objectives for the creation of a comprehensive short term and long term strategic education plan.
2. Develop planning criteria based on population, community resources, public school systems, and other environment concerns.
3. Outline objectives towards meeting the goals and objectives of the education component.
4. Develop developmentally appropriate and research based experiences for social-emotional, motor, cognitive and linguistic development using a researched based curriculum program.
5. Develop procedures and forms for delivery of instruction (lesson plans, progress notes, parent communication forms, individualization forms, etc.).
6. Develop an assessment and evaluation process for the quality of the instruction and curriculum process using approved and developmentally approved assessment instruments.
7. Develop a plan for a systematic review and revision of implementation of strategies
8. Develop a systematic process for the evaluation of teachers and staff using researched, approved, reliable, and valid observation systems such as the C.L.A.S.S.
9. Provide training to the center managers and classroom staff during the process of implementation (At least 3 times, pre, mid, and post).
10. Provide technical assistance to the director and education staff.
11. Provide strategic project management of tasks as assigned by the director; thereby, ensuring timely and successful completion.
12. Provide activity reports and complete and submit all other necessary documents in a timely manner.
Location: Irving Texas
Duration: 8 Weeks
Please email your proposal to etrevino@ser-national.org by no later than September 16, 2015 by cob.