Innovation in Organizational Development Supports Head Start Sustainability

Head Start programs are foundational to a high-quality early childhood system in communities across the county. Over the last few years, there have been periods of uncertainty with regard to the Head Start budget, staffing challenges, and changes to regulations, to name a few. At the local level, we often hear from programs that are juggling decisions about funding and their program design, all while managing the day-to-day of operating a Head Start program.

As programs look ahead to the 2026-2027 program year and beyond, we encourage you to view the path forward with a strategic lens. There are organizational development questions you can ask yourself, and tools you can put in place, to help ensure the ongoing effectiveness, growth, and sustainability of your program.

How does your organizational structure support growth? We encourage programs to consider if and how their organizational structure aligns with a sustainable approach to program implementation. In some cases, the organizational structure may actually be a barrier to sustainability and growth. Are you allocating resources to the right places and positions? Are adequate resources allocated to frontline staff and service delivery? Does the management team have sufficient capacity to ensure compliance and continuous program improvement? Have you recently made changes to your program design but haven’t yet made adjustments to the organizational structure to reflect those changes? It may be helpful to complete an organizational assessment to help answer these questions and identify solutions and next steps.

How can partnerships help to enable new growth and opportunities? Many Head Start programs are experts at partnerships, from disabilities to health and education and everything in between. Community partnerships are part of what makes Head Start so effective. In recent years, the child care and business communities have been coming together more often with a shared purpose to support local economies. Chambers of Commerce at the national, state, and local levels are increasingly part of these conversations and are taking steps to help solve budget, staffing, and access challenges. Are there chambers, task forces, or neighborhood groups you can join? Considering new and different partnerships within the non-profit and private sectors could reveal surprising opportunities for problem-solving and growth.

Are there innovative approaches to funding that your program can consider? When federal funding feels uncertain, it can be helpful to think outside the box about how your program can build revenue and leverage other funds to support sustainability.

Does your organization have a roadmap to achieve its goals in coming years? One of the cornerstones of organizational development is strategic planning. The strategic planning process is intended to provide an agency with direction by unifying people, focusing strategies, mobilizing resources, and anticipating and mitigating challenges. It also provides an opportunity to build internal capacity and support performance management and accountability.

We encourage you to explore Foundations for Families’ Consulting Services. If your program needs assistance with organizational development, please be in touch. Our team of consultants will work with your program to determine a process, timeline, and approach that is the best fit for your needs.

Thank you.

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