Rutland Community Programs is organized exclusively for charitable, educational and scientific purposes including but not necessarily limited to the following: to sponsor, develop, promote and conduct educational programs, social services and programs that are charitable, scientific or educational and that address the health needs of the community at large.

For its Head Start program, Rutland Community Programs has a structure of shared governance whereby an active Board of Directors and an established Policy Council share responsibility for overseeing the delivery of high-quality services to children and families in accordance with Head Start program performance standards and Vermont Child Care Licensing. The structure of program governance provides parents and other community representatives with the opportunity to participate in shared decision-making concerning program design and implementation.

In accordance with federal law, the Rutland Community Programs Board of Directors includes an attorney, an expert in early childhood education, a financial professional, and a past or present parent of a Head Start child, among others. The Policy Council is made up of at least 51% Head Start parents and includes parent representation from each center, two community representatives, and a representative from the Board of Directors.