Head Start's founders set forth seven goals in 1965, which are still the basis for the program's mission and values:

1. Improving the child's physical health and physical abilities.
2. Helping the emotional and social development of the child by encouraging self-confidence, spontaneity, curiosity, and self-discipline.
3. Improving the child's mental processes and skills, with particular attention to conceptual and verbal skills.
4. Establishing patterns and expectations of success for the child that will create a climate of confidence for future learning efforts.
5. Increasing the child's capacity to relate positively to family members and others, while at the same time strengthening the family's ability to relate positively to the child and his problems.
6. Developing in the child and his family a responsible attitude toward society, and encouraging society to work with the poor in solving their problems.
7. Increasing the sense of dignity and self-worth within the child and his family.

-Source: Project Head Start: A Legacy of the War on Poverty, Second Edition, page 137;
Zigler, Edward & Valentine, Jeanette; 1997.

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Core Set of Values
To support its goal, Head Start embraces the following core set of values:

• Establish a supportive learning environment for children, parents, and staff. Value & promote the building of awareness, skills, & understanding.
• Recognize that the members of the Head Start community - children, families, & staff - have roots in many cultures. Work as a team and effectively promote respectful and proactive approaches to diversity.
• Families are empowered when families, governing bodies, & staff share the responsibility of program governance. Hear and respect the ideas and opinions of families.
• Embrace a comprehensive vision of health for children, families, & staff. Assure that basic health needs are met, encourage preventive health practices, and promote behaviors that enhance life-long well being.
• Respect the importance of all aspects of individual development, including social, emotional, cognitive, & physical growth.
• Build a community in which each child & adult is respected as an individual while still belonging to the group.
• Foster relationships with the larger community to build a network of partners that respects families and staff.
• Develop a continuum of care, education and services that allows stable, uninterrupted support to children & families before, during & after their Head Start experience.

--Source: Head Start Performance Standards;
45CFR, Introduction, page 1.