Policy Council

Adults Meeting

Parents have a voice in program and policy development.

The Policy Council provides a system of shared governance through which parents have an active voice in policy making and program decisions. The Policy Council is responsible for the following areas, which impact the children and families of the Denver Great Kids Head Start program:

  • Approve/Disapprove program directions, priorities, policies and budgets 
  • Monitor the program and ensure compliance to federal guidelines
  • Participate in the personnel selection of central staff members
  • Establish a method for collecting feedback and resolving community concerns related to the program 
  • Approve/Disapprove personnel policies per the Revised Performance Standards 
  • Maintain involvement in the community and promote the program
  • Administer the Policy Council parent activity funds

Meeting Packets

Policy Council for the Denver Great Kids Head Start program conducts meetings the fourth Wednesday of every month. At times, during the holidays, meetings may be rescheduled or omitted from the schedule. Council members will be informed, via email, of any schedule modifications.

MEETING PACKETS are posted two days before each meeting. Packets from the most recent 2 years, and the current year are available by request. To request a packet, send an email with your request.

Members

Denver Great Kids Head Start embraces parents and community members as integral partners in its governance structure through the Head Start Policy Council.

2020 - 2021 Members

Marilyn Halpern
Community Representative

Deronn Turner
Community Representative

Brandan Burns
Community Representative

Glenn Harper
Community Representative

Vera Atilano
Community Representative

Tiaja Pierre
Community Representative

Megan Bock
Community Representative

Alexis Madrid
Catholic Charities
Parent Alternate

Ashley Miller
Catholic Charities
Parent Alternate

Danielle LaCroix
Sewall
Parent Alternate

Jessica Hernandez
Volunteers of America
Parent Alternate

Mariah Jiron
Volunteers of America
Parent Alternate

Jennifer Rouse (EHS)
Catholic Charities
Parent Representative

Karla Lopez
Catholic Charities
Parent Representative

Ealasha Vaughner
Clayton
Parent Representative

Zendy Sotelo
Clayton
Parent Representative

Chante Daily
Denver Public Schools
Parent Representative

Martha Leonard-McClendon
Denver Public Schools
Parent Representative

Leah Steenson
Family Star
Parent Representative

Melissa Lopez
Family Star
Parent Representative

Donna Mendez
Mile High Early Learning
Parent Representative

Roddrick Marshall
Sewall
Parent Representative

Amanda Grado
Volunteers of America
Parent Representative

Diana Montelongo
Volunteers of America
Parent Representative

Procedure Manual

The Head Start Procedure Manual provides details and program guidelines around our philosophy, program design and management, enrollment, recruitment, selection, eligibility, attendance, school readiness, health, health, safety and fiscal management. Download the Procedure Manual.(PDF, 760KB)

Denver Great Kids Head Start - A Shared Governance

Program governance in Denver Great Kids Head Start is shared between the Policy Council and a Governing Body, which is composed of the following various agencies of the City and County of Denver:  

  • Mayor
  • City Council
  • City Auditor
  • Manager of Finance
  • Office of Human Resources 

Staff Contact
Caridad Nevarez
Office Manager
720-913-0883
caridad.nevarez@denvergov.org