OBJECTIVE/PURPOSE

The Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of parents who represent a cross-section of LSU CCC families and provide the center’s administration with feedback about LSU CCC policies and practices. The purpose of the PAC is to facilitate communication between parents and the administration in an ongoing effort to support the quality of care provided. While the PAC is not a policy-making body, it assists the administration with strategic planning for the center by providing parental viewpoints, feedback to the administration about proposed changes that affect the center as a whole, and works with the administration to review various aspects of operations, including teacher retention, fund-raising, food service, extracurricular activities, changes in procedures or services, and facilities issues.

VISION

The active involvement of parents is an indispensable feature of the LSU Child Care Center program. The shared decision-making and encouraged input and guidance from parents is the core vision of the PAC.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the PAC is to serve in an advisory capacity to the director in matters involving five designated areas of importance. These areas include, but are not limited to, Development, Campus/Human Resources, Parental Involvement, Facilities, and Marketing/Communication. The PAC will align its purpose, goals, and objectives with the LSU Child Care Center strategic plan along with the LSU Flagship Agenda.

Parents are encouraged to contact PAC members with any questions, suggestions, or concerns that are center-wide. The PAC frequently seeks out parental input with regard to various topics under consideration or review. The PAC does not address or mediate individual concerns between parents and teachers.

PAC meetings are held monthly, unless a majority vote reasons that an issue or event requires additional meeting times. PAC members are comprised of two (2) volunteers from each classroom. This may or may not include the designated Room Parent. Members of the PAC serve staggered two-year terms. New membership is solicited in August and February of each calendar year. (Initially, this means that 1/2 of our group agrees to start their term in August and the other 1/2 agrees to have their official start date six (6) months later. This will mean that the latter group will actually serve 2.5 years, but only the initial group of members. This will ensure staggered membership and veteran members on the committee at all times.) Every effort is made to balance the PAC on the basis of several criteria, including type of LSU affiliation, interest in center activities, and willingness to commit to a two-year term.

GOALS

1. Develop good liaison and communication between the parents and center administration
   1. Council shares with Center administration any classroom/Center concerns, information, and/or problems
   2. Council members inform families and/or room parent of PAC actions and discussions
   3. Center staff share information, educate parents about the program, and share the Center’s perspective with council members
2. Secure PAC participation in
   1. Identifying Center priorities
   2. Providing guidance regarding policy development and change
   3. Providing suggestions for growth
   4. Evaluation of the program
3. Create, develop, and implement sub-committee priorities
   1. Development, Campus/Human Resources, Parental Involvement, Facilities, and Marketing/Communication.

4.  

   All Parents are welcome to attend PAC meetings.