Parent Literacy Leaders Program

The Parent Literacy Leaders Program is an employment and education training program for parents of Head Start children who are interested in careers in early childhood education. Program participants receive hands-on work experience teaching under the direct supervision of Head Start teachers at partner sites.  In addition, participants attend weekly professional training sessions covering topics such as child development, CPR, computer literacy, time management, and communications skills. Parent Literacy Leaders are required to be enrolled in early childhood development classes at the Chicago City Colleges or GED classes if they don't have a high school diploma so they obtain credentials needed to find appropriate jobs upon completion of the program.. Throughout their time in the program, Project SOAR supports parents, helping them to understand the educational requirements they need to secure gainful employment when they complete the program and providing them with the knowledge and skills they need to facilitate creative early literacy activities within Head Start classrooms.