Parent Spotlight: Policy Council Officers

LCCAA Head Start’s 2021-2022 Parent Policy Council has elected officers for the school year.

Stephanee Kochco is serving as the Council’s vice president. Melanie Wiseman is Assistant Secretary.

Stephanee is the first Policy Council representative from Firelands Head Start where her daughter started in September. She has experience cofounding and running a local nonprofit.

Melanie represents LaGrange Head Start where her son is a student. She volunteered because she remembers her mother working hard to support her activities growing up. “

I want to bring new ideas to the table to make both my children and others’ experience the best it can be,” she said. Both mothers said they appreciate the Head Start program for its safe and inclusive environment as well as the caring and patient teachers.

“Our only child has spent half her life in a pandemic with little social activity,” Stephanee said. “We love that she is making friends in a safe and welcoming environment while preparing to start kindergarten.”

Parents are elected by their centers to serve on Policy Council. Policy Council members review budgets, human resources needs and curriculum.

They also have an opportunity to share any successes or concerns from the center they represent. Policy Council members also have an opportunity to attend trainings and conferences locally, statewide and nationally.