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Policy

Head Start of Lane County is committed to maintaining a respectful environment that is conducive to learning, as well as ensuring the safety of children, parents, visitors, and staff in all our programs and facilities. In order to maintain an open, positive, courteous, respectful and secure environment, it is essential that all parents/guardians and visitors adhere to the expected code of conduct outlined below at Head Start sites, bus stops, home visits and functions:Head Start of Lane County is committed to maintaining a respectful environment that is conducive to learning, as well as ensuring the safety of children, parents, visitors, and staff in all our programs and facilities. In order to maintain an open, positive, courteous, respectful and secure environment, it is essential that all parents/guardians and visitors adhere to the expected code of conduct outlined below at Head Start sites, bus stops, home visits and functions:

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Procedure

  1. All parents/guardians and visitors involved with the program will:
    1. Respect and promote the unique identity of each child and family and do not stereotype on any basis, including gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or family composition.
    2. Follow program confidentiality policies concerning information about children, families, and staff members. No photos or video without permission. Use extreme caution and exercise good judgment when interacting with agency staff on social media platforms or messaging applications. Employees are asked to use extreme caution when accepting a “friend request” or request to communicate via social media with any child’s family member or care provider.
    3. Not allow a school age child to be left alone or unsupervised while under their care.
    4. Use positive methods to support children’s well-being and prevent and address challenging behavior. Do not engage in corporal punishment, emotional or physical abuse, or humiliation. Do not employ methods of discipline that involve isolation, the use of food as punishment or reward or the denial of basic needs.
    5. Conduct themselves personally and professionally in a manner that reflects positively upon the programs’ reputation and upon the children and families the program
    6. Maintain courteous and respectful relationships with program associates, consultants, and staff, as well as other parents, guardians,volunteers, children and other participants.
  2. Head Start of Lane County will not tolerate behavior by parents/guardians, visitors, or anyone else involved with the program that violates the Code of Conduct. Examples of violations include, but are not limited to the following:
    1. Using threatening, hostile, intimidating, bullying, harassing, or coercive language or behavior toward employees, volunteers, or children, including a child’s family members and care providers.
    2. Words or actions that intimidate, harass or discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, sex, sexual orientation or disability.
    3. Physical or verbally aggressive punishment of a child.
    4. Excessive swearing or cursing.
    5. Smoking/vaping.
    6. Quarreling, verbal fighting, loud shouting, and displays of anger.
    7. Possess, consume, sell, distribute or exchange alcoholic beverages and/or controlled substances, or be under the influence of either on agency property or at an agency function.
    8. Possess or use weapons in or on agency property or at an agency function.
    9. Physical violence.
    10. Inappropriate or excessive displays of physical affection between adults.
    11. Clothing with discriminatory, offensive, or inappropriate statements or designs is prohibited. Nothing in this policy is intended to discriminate against any person and does not limit or alter any person’s apparel or grooming styles dictated by one’s religion, ethnicity, or national origin.  Inappropriate revealing clothing is also prohibited.
    12. Violate any federal or state statute, local ordinance or board policy while on agency property or at an agency function.
    13. Any action that disrupts the Head Start/Early Head Start program
  3. If a parent/guardian or visitor violates the Code of Conduct, Head Start of Lane County reserves the right to:
    1. Restrict parent/guardian or visitor access to program children, classrooms, functions, and/or facilities.
    2. Contact the Division of Family.
    3. Contact the police.
    4. Take civil or criminal action.
  4. A Parent/guardian can contact the regional manager for the classroom and/or the Human Resources Director to discuss potential impacts, concerns or to file a complaint.

This policy was approved by Policy Council: December 2019

Meets Performance Standard 1302.90(c)(1-2)

Reviewed: December 2020