The Policy Council is part of the shared governance team that includes the Board of Directors, program staff, community members, and Parent Committee members. Together the team plans, and makes decision to achieve positive outcomes for children and families.  Policy Council assists program staff in developing plans, policies and procedures to meet Head Start Performance Standards and address needs in the community.  Policy Council members participate on the School Readiness Team, Health Services Advisory Committee, and the SelfAssessment Team. The election of officers for Policy Council is held annually in October.

At SMTCCAC, family engagement is a collaborative effort built through strong relationships among staff, families, and children. These relationships are rooted in mutual respect and appreciation for the experiences each person brings.

Relationship-building begins the moment a family enters our program. Throughout the year, Policy Council members and SMTCCAC staff help organize family-focused activities designed to support learning, strengthen family connections, and build community. Families and children participate in a variety of experiences — from fun interactive activities to parent leadership and educational opportunities — creating memorable moments together and fostering lifelong partnerships.

Our STEM Summer Enrichment Program supports children transitioning into Kindergarten by providing continued learning opportunities during the summer months. This program focuses on hands-on exploration, early STEM concepts, and individual learning support to help children build confidence and strengthen school-readiness skills. Students receive one-on-one instructional support, participate in engaging enrichment activities, and continue developing the social-emotional and academic foundations needed for a successful start to Kindergarten.

SMTCCAC launched the Male Involvement Program (MIP) September 2018. The first Male Involvement Meeting was held April 2019 at Famous Dave’s, Waldorf, MD. The MIP goal is to create a culture of engagement that encourages and supports fathers in becoming more involved in the lives of their children. 24/7 Dad’s is the curriculum used. This curriculum offers men an opportunity to Reflect and Share their experiences. One of the program outcomes is the increased male participation in Shared Governance (Policy Council Meetings.)