Eced 302 Self Assess

Head Start and Early Head Start Relationship-Based
Competencies Professional Development Assessment for STAFF Who Work

with Families
OVERVIEW
Looking for ways to support your development around the nine Head Start and Early Head Start
Relationship-Based Competencies? We have created a professional development assessment to help staff
in Head Start and Early Head Start (HS/EHS) who work with families. You may use this tool to build
competency and capacity in preparation for pre-service training and mid-year and year-end check-ins.
This assessment is aligned with the Head Start Program Performance Standards and the Parent, Family,
and Community Engagement (PFCE) Framework.
1. POSITIVE, GOAL-ORIENTED RELATIONSHIPS

Engages in mutually respectful goal-oriented partnerships with families to promote parent-child relationships and family
well being.
Knowledge, Skills, and Actions I have solid I am making I need I would like Notes
for Staff understandi progress in support to focus on
ng and my to learn this area in
skills and understandin more my
continue to g, skills, and and Professional
grow in growth in grow in Developme
this area. this area. this area. nt Plan.
Knowledge
Develops knowledge of I am going to admit that I need

effective relationship-building
X X more progress in my skills and
practices. growth when talking with a
parent. I have only been
teaching for 3 years and I know
the basics, but there is room
for learning.
Understands that parents/expectant Parents are a huge part in a

parents and staff each bring equal
X child’s life and it is imperative
value to the relationship. for parents to be involved in
the activities we do as much as
possible.
-1-
Head Start and Early Head Start Relationship-Based Competencies
Professional Development Assessment for STAFF Who Work with Families
Skills
Helps families feel welcomed, safe, X When I meet a new parent, I

and respected by building trusting introduce myself and then I
relationships over time. introduce myself to the child.
One of my tactics is to relate to
the child. Therefore, if the child
is wearing a paw patrol shirt,
I’ll tell the child that I LOVE paw
patrol and I try to get them to
think about paw patrol more
than their parents leaving them
in the classroom.
Shows respect for different families’ I always make sure the parents
circumstances and creates
X are comfortable and I make
opportunities for families to consider sure that I explain how much
their aspirations for their children and culture we try to involve in the
for themselves. classroom as well.
Uses appropriate I am making progress in my

communication techniques,
X communication skills because
such as verbal and sometimes when I explain
nonverbal messages and something I can over explain
reflective listening. and then I confuse the parent.
This is something I am actively
working on with parents.
Demonstrates the ability to work One of the very first things I ask
with families on different kinds of
X parents is if their child has any
goals (health, nutrition, allergies or if they’re are
parent/child allergic to anything such as:
interactions, mental health, grass, milk, nuts, etc.
family literacy, financial literacy,
etc.).
-2-
Demonstrates the ability to jointly I need support in this section
develop and follow up on goals that
X because I don’t have parents
are meaningful for families and who are on top of their
individualizes services for parents children’s development
and expectant mothers and fathers. because they tend to grab their
kid and leave really fast.
Because of this, I am afraid to
approach families.
Makes ethical decisions that I make sure that if a parent has

maintain professional boundaries
X an issue with something in the
and family confidentiality. classroom, I call my director
and allow her to understand
the conversation. Therefore,
nothing can be misconstrued.
Actions
Makes contact with both mothers Right now, I have 11 children

and fathers, as applicable, to
X enrolled in my class and only 5
develop ongoing relationships. of the parents are very active in
their child’s learning. I am able
to send them pictures of the
art the children do throughout
the day and they love it. If a
child is acting a certain way, I
make sure it is okay with the
parent to contact them and let
them know as well.
In partnership with families, A good thing about the families

develops and supports plans that
X in my classroom is, when I ask
describe families’ strengths, for parents to bring snacks for
resources, and needed services.
the parties we have, they
always bring whatever the
theme is for snacks.
-3-
2. SELF AWARE AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE RELATIONSHIPS

Respects and responds appropriately to the culture, language, values, and family structures of each family served.
Knowledge
Identifies and reflects on personal I believe that I specialize in

values, experiences, ethics, and
X other cultures because I always
biases (e.g., gender, racial, ethnic, make it a fun activity to do with
cultural, and/or class) in order to the children. Culture is very
become self aware and more important and children should
effective in working with different
learn other cultures.
groups of people.
Understands the importance of I am always making sure I am up

taking care of oneself in order to be
X for a challenging day even if I
available and capable to attend to don’t have one because the
the needs of others. children deserve a teacher at
their best. I believe that
children adapt to your attitude
and that is why I always try to
stay positive.
Skills
Demonstrates respectful interest I make it my mission to ask the

in learning about each family’s
X parents if they would like for me
values, beliefs, faith traditions, to celebrate their culture or
cultural influences, family traditions inside of the
structures, and circumstances. classroom because it gives them
the option to decline or accept.
Applies this knowledge to With the parents that are very

relationship building and ongoing
X active in speaking with me, I
interactions with each family. believe I am doing a great job
with communicating and
building a good relationship
with them. It is important for
children to see teachers and
parents communicating.
-4-
Reinforces the importance of home I want to work more on learning
language and culture in a child’s
X other languages because I have
development during interactions noticed that children get
with parents and expectant frustrated when you don’t
families. understand what they are
saying. Even though I can’t learn
every language, I want to be
able to ask the parents how else
I can communicate in order for
the child to get what they need
and want.
Actions
Conducts culturally and I always make sure that the

linguistically responsive outreach
X parents are involved in any
and recruitment to parents and activity that I do in order for
expectant families. parents to have the option to
participate or not.
Provides intake and orientation

materials to families that are
X
culturally and linguistically
appropriate.
-5-
3. FAMILY WELL-BEING AND FAMILIES AS LEARNERS

Supports families’ safety, health, financial stability, life goals, and aspirations.
ng and my to learn this
skills and understandin more area in my
Knowledge
Understands the proper steps to This is something I am working

ensure family and child safety
X X on because I have freaked out a
when safety is threatened. few times when something is
wrong and I have scared the
children, not meaning to of
course.
Develops knowledge and awareness I want to be able to learn more

of the signs of depression, trauma,
X about the awareness and signs
homelessness, domestic violence, of parents who need the
and/or mental illness for parents and support because I believe we
expectant families. get so wrapped up in the
children that we forget the
mental health of the parents
which is very important.
Skills
Can increase families’ awareness It is very important that parents

and ability to identify protective
X are aware of the classroom.
factors/strengths they have to
overcome challenges.
Can increase families’ awareness I am able to communicate with
and ability to address the risks and
X families and to make sure they
stressors in their lives. are okay. I make sure the
parents are comfortable with
what I do in the classroom.
-6-
ng and my to learn this
skills and understandin more area in my
Is able to conduct educational I am continuing to work on this

opportunities for parents and
X because it just learned last
expectant families on the semester on all the resources
importance of healthy that could help families in need.
relationships and support
networks.
Knows how to identify, in I make sure that I don't judge

partnership with the family, options
X the parents that need support
and resources to address challenges for themselves or their
and work toward aspirations and children.
long-term family stability.
Actions
Connects families with I always ask permission from
opportunities that support safety,
X the parents to make sure what
financial literacy, health, and we do in the classroom is
family wellness. appropriate. There has been a
few times where parents have
asked me to not allow their
child to play in sand because it
gets in their hair.
Links parents to training that I am continuously learning at

contributes to self-sufficiency and
X the same time.
to reaching goals around their
education and/or career training.
-7-
4. PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS AND FAMILIES AS LIFELONG EDUCATORS

Enhances the parent-child relationship, and supports parents’ role as the first and lifelong educators of their children.
Knowledge
Understands that families are vital I am always making sure that

to children’s development and
X parents participate in anything
learning. we do (if they want).
Recognizes positive I see the relationship between
interactions between families
X the child and the parent,
and children. especially when the parent
comes at the end of the day
because most of the children
are so excited to see their
parents.
Skills
Actively engages families in If a child is building something

interactions with their children
X and their parent comes in, I
when children are present. have the child explain what
they have made to their parent
which involves them in the
process of what the child is
doing.
Is able to focus on family and child I use the method “Sandwich”

strengths as an entry point into
X by letting the parent know the
relationships and conversations good things of today first, then
about children. the incident that happened,
and then something good
again. Therefore the parent
won’t see their child as a
problem because they aren’t.
Promotes prenatal attachment

with expectant families.
X
-8-
Facilitates and/or coordinates I am continuing to learn and

evidenced-based parenting
X progress in resources that I can
education opportunities for become more away from.
parents individually and in groups,
individualizing for culture, gender,
and age, as
appropriate.
Supports parents (or links parents to I communicate to parents the

supports) to address challenging
X things we can do in order to
child behaviors in positive, better understand a child who
developmentally appropriate ways is having a tough time in the
and accesses classroom.
resources as necessary.
Works well with other program staff I am always looking for new
to support ongoing interactive
X ideas and I make sure I
literacy activities between parents communicate with staff and
and their children at home and in the director as well.
the
community.
-9-
Supports families in developing skills Any questions that parents

and confidence to be effective
X have about their children or
leaders and advocates for their what I do in the classroom, I
children. make sure I am able to answer
it or I find the answer to their
question as well.
Actions
Talks with families about their vital With the parents that actually
role in their children’s development
X speak with me, I make sure I
and learning. brief them on their child’s
behavior and what they do
throughout the day as well.
Supports expectant families in I have never worked with

making connections between their
X parents who are pregnant.
actions and the prenatal effects.
Offers learning materials for I have had parents who

children and parents that reflect
X volunteer to bring snacks for
families’ cultures, encourages the children and also to sit
family members to visit, observe, down with the children and
and volunteer in the program. read them a story.
Provides families with appropriate I am still learning this, but I
information, training, and
X X have so many resources to give
connections to future early care and parents.
educational settings and
kindergarten to help facilitate the
transition process for parents and
children.
-10-
Develops strong relationships with Because of the pandemic, we

community child care, preschools,
X weren’t allowed to visit other
and public schools in order to child care centers or
enhance home-school partnerships preschools, but this is
and something I can work on.
transitions.
5. FAMILY CONNECTIONS TO PEERS AND COMMUNITY

Facilitates networks and group activities that support families’ strengths, interests, and needs.
Knowledge, Skills, and Actions I have I am making I need I would like Notes
Knowledge
Recognizes the importance of All parents deserve support !

support networks, particularly for
X
isolated families.
Understands how facilitation Having a group helps because it

skills support group processes
X involves more ideas.
and
interactions.
-11-
Skills
Demonstrates group Group activities are important

facilitation knowledge and
X for adults and children.
skills.
Is able to support families in I’ve learned a bit of
identifying, developing, and
X information, but I am still
utilizing their informal and formal learning.
support networks (e.g.,
neighborhood groups,
faith/spiritual communities, civic
organizations).
Has the ability to identify common I always make sure that I am

interests and needs of parents in
X aware of what children like and
order to plan appropriate activities dislike and also what they bring
and learning opportunities. inside of the classroom.
Is skilled at coordinating training Usually my director gives out

and educational opportunities for
X this type of information to
parents (e.g., adult education, life parents.
skills, parenting courses, family
literacy, employment training).
-12-
Actions
Educates parents on Policy Council My director has a sheet that is
and other available committee or
X updated every month for the
community opportunities that parents to see the meetings
will promote parent leadership that we conduct and they are
and advocacy. always welcome to come and
participate as well. I keep that
sheet in my classroom where
the parents can see it.
Includes parents as active I offer parents to participate,

participants in groups and training
X but most parents in my
so they can share skills, culture, and classroom grab their child and
talents. leave.
Supports parents as they engage I love when parents engage

in volunteering, collaborating
X with the children and they
with the community, and other actually want to involve
ways of themselves in the crafts that
contributing to program activities we do.
and the larger community.
-13-
6. FAMILY ACCESS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Supports families in using community resources that enhance family well-being and children’s learning and development.
Knowledge
Has an extensive knowledge of social I keep many resources on a

service and community resources for
X piece of paper in my classroom
families (e.g., health, mental health, for the parents to see, but I
nutrition, financial literacy, only have a few and I know I
education). need to add more.
Understands how to match This is something I am still

community and program resources
X actively learning.
to family interests and needs.
Knows when and how to connect This is something I am still

families with specialized resources
X actively learning.
and assistance (e.g., mental health,
domestic violence, substance abuse
treatment, child welfare services)
and when to ask for supervisory
help to do so.
-14-
Skills
Knows how to provide ongoing I always try to advocate for

information and support to families
X parents and the children as
in using program services and well and when they ask me for
community resources to achieve help, I am always either
family goals and promote the
googling or asking my director
well-being of their children.
questions.
Demonstrates the ability to support I always make sure that I let

families as leaders in the program
X the parents vent because it is
and as advocates for needed important that they are heard
resources for their families. in tough situations and
because I meet so many
parents, I could be a source of
help for the parents.
Is able to build partnerships with Because of the pandemic, it

schools and service providers to link
X has been hard to communicate
families to needed services and with other schools and that is
support successful transitions. something I believe is very
needed.
Actions
Becomes family’s liaison to program I always make sure to advocate

and community services as
X for children because some
appropriate. This could include joint children need the extra help
visits with professionals in health, and therefore, I make sure the
mental health, child development, parent is aware of the
and child welfare as indicated to
behaviors that I see.
address specific issues or family
needs.
-15-
Follows up on the effectiveness When I give a parent some

of family referrals to
X resources that I have, I make
community sure to ask how it is going and
resources. if they need anything from me
in order to help their case.
a. Which of the knowledge, skills and actions do you feel the most need for growth?
The one I feel that needs the most for growth is: “Develops strong relationships with community child care, preschools, and public schools in
order to enhance home-school partnerships and transitions.” I believe that educators can learn a lot from the community around them because
that is the example we use when we educate children in the classroom. Community is a great way to educate children because we always have to
think about the child as a whole. Another growth would be: “Is able to build partnerships with schools and service providers to link families to
needed services and support successful transitions.” This area needs growth because with the pandemic, it has not been easy for us to
communicate and get ideas from other schools. I believe that educators should be able to take ideas from one another and throw their own spin
on certain things. I love to see other people’s classrooms because it is important to share ideas and maybe even collaborate if anything.
b. Which of the knowledge, skills and actions do you feel are most related to support of the 5 protective factors. Why? COMPARE
Develops knowledge of effective relationship-building practices. This supports the 5 protective factors because it helps me to build social
skills and connections with parents and children as well.
c. Of these which 3 do you want to develop in your plan? Why? (Even if there were many areas of growth, pick the top three that make
sense to develop for now.)
1. Develops knowledge of effective relationship-building practices.
2. Understands the proper steps to ensure family and child safety when safety is threatened.
3. Provides families with appropriate information, training, and connections to future early care and educational settings and
kindergarten to help facilitate the transition process for parents and children.
I have chosen these 3 because I believe it is very important for me to perfect it. Building relationships with parents and children is the most
important because without a good relationship, parents and children feel uncomfortable. I never want any of the parents or children to feel
like they aren’t in a safe environment.

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Head Start and Early Head Start Relationship-Based

Competencies Professional Development Assessment for STAFF Who Work

1. POSITIVE, GOAL-ORIENTED RELATIONSHIPS

Develops knowledge of I am going to admit that I need

Understands that parents/expectant Parents are a huge part in a

Helps families feel welcomed, safe, X When I meet a new parent, I

Uses appropriate I am making progress in my

Makes ethical decisions that I make sure that if a parent has

Makes contact with both mothers Right now, I have 11 children

In partnership with families, A good thing about the families

2. SELF AWARE AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE RELATIONSHIPS

Identifies and reflects on personal I believe that I specialize in

Understands the importance of I am always making sure I am up

Demonstrates respectful interest I make it my mission to ask the

Applies this knowledge to With the parents that are very

Conducts culturally and I always make sure that the

Provides intake and orientation

3. FAMILY WELL-BEING AND FAMILIES AS LEARNERS

Understands the proper steps to This is something I am working

Develops knowledge and awareness I want to be able to learn more

Can increase families’ awareness It is very important that parents

Is able to conduct educational I am continuing to work on this

Knows how to identify, in I make sure that I don't judge

Links parents to training that I am continuously learning at

4. PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIPS AND FAMILIES AS LIFELONG EDUCATORS

Understands that families are vital I am always making sure that

Actively engages families in If a child is building something

Is able to focus on family and child I use the method “Sandwich”

Promotes prenatal attachment

Facilitates and/or coordinates I am continuing to learn and

Supports parents (or links parents to I communicate to parents the

Supports families in developing skills Any questions that parents

Supports expectant families in I have never worked with

Offers learning materials for I have had parents who

Develops strong relationships with Because of the pandemic, we

5. FAMILY CONNECTIONS TO PEERS AND COMMUNITY

Recognizes the importance of All parents deserve support !

Understands how facilitation Having a group helps because it

Demonstrates group Group activities are important

Has the ability to identify common I always make sure that I am

Is skilled at coordinating training Usually my director gives out

Includes parents as active I offer parents to participate,

Supports parents as they engage I love when parents engage

6. FAMILY ACCESS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Has an extensive knowledge of social I keep many resources on a

Understands how to match This is something I am still

Knows when and how to connect This is something I am still

Knows how to provide ongoing I always try to advocate for

Demonstrates the ability to support I always make sure that I let

Is able to build partnerships with Because of the pandemic, it

Becomes family’s liaison to program I always make sure to advocate

Follows up on the effectiveness When I give a parent some

skills and connections with parents and children as well.

sense to develop for now.)

1. Develops knowledge of effective relationship-building practices.

like they aren’t in a safe environment.

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