Health Services Management

Health and Mental Health Services Advisory Committee

All Head Start programs are required to establish and maintain a Health and Mental Health Services Advisory Committee (HMHSAC) to support children’s healthy development. The HMHSAC is an advisory group usually composed of local health providers who represent a wide variety of local social services agencies. They may include pediatricians, nurses, nurse practitioners, dentists, nutritionists, and mental health providers. Head Start staff and parents also serve on the HMHSAC. Effective partnerships are key to the success of this approach. HMHSACs help programs to make decisions about health services and strengthen the communities where Head Start families live.