PARENT, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

PARENT, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTPROMOTING FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND SCHOOL READINESS, FROM PRENATAL TO AGE 8

Presented in collaboration: Minnesota Head Start Association, MN Department of Education,Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Cos. STGi, MN TTA Center Known in short as the PFCE FrameworkThis tool helps us see that when parent and family engagement activities are systemic and integrated across program foundations and program impact areas, family engagement outcomes are achieved, resulting in children who are healthy and ready for school.The self-assessment is aligned with the PFCE framework.

1Children will be better prepared for kindergarten

Families will be more engaged in your program and in the public school

Programs will achieve higher levels of quality

Communities will provide stronger supports to the next generation

We all benefitIn my work with schools, one thing I always bring up is: every study that I know of that looks at school success, or life success for that matter, has as its #1 or #2 variable parent/family involvement/support. What are you doing to enhance this?We are in the Information Age, which requires a new type of learner. What does not involve continued learning in life and work (e.g. new phones, appliances, legal documents, PD, new trainings, etc)?Do you think, if we had the research available, there would be a difference in learning outcomes between HS families and are highly involved versus those that are not?Medical clinic analogy (the way staff treat you, the way things are set up, how attentive is the Dr., etc).Isanti is a community that tries to be responsive, from safety to resources to keep children engaged (bike racing track, soccer complex, skateboard park, playground, etc).2Enduring relationship whether biological or non-biological, chosen or circumstantial, connecting a child/youth and parent/caregiver through culture, tradition, shared experiences, emotional commitment and mutual support.

Source: United Advocates for Children of California (205) http://www.uacc4families.org/aboutus/misson.cfmWhat is Family?Family is impossible to define.Intro to Parent Ed class the students go through this journey while trying to define family. In the end, they discover there is no one definition, rather the best is how the individual defines it.3Relationships

Beliefs, attitudes, behaviors and activities of families

Shared responsibility

What is Family Engagement?

Relationships with families that support family well-being, strong parent-child relationships and ongoing learning and development of parents and children (this is not school district style family engagement).

A set of beliefs, attitudes, behaviors and activities of families that support their childrens positive development from early childhood through young adulthood.

Happening in the home, early childhood program, school and community

A shared responsibility with all those who support childrens learning.

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Parents Family Service Workers Teachers/Home Visitors Bus Drivers, Cooks, Janitors Program Directors Governing Boards Community Partners

Requires Full Engagement by ALL

Moving from spools of thread to a quilt. As they say, it is the fabric of what we do.TEAM concept.5In partnership with programs, families, experts, and the National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement.

Research-based approach to program change

Shows how an agency can work together to promote parent and family engagement and childrens learning and development. How was the PFCE Framework Developed?6The PFCE Framework is a road map for progress in achieving the kinds of outcomes that lead to positive and enduring change for children and families.It is systemic, integratedand comprehensive.

Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) Framework

http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/Head%20Start%20Program/Program%20Design%20and%20Management/Head%20Start%20Requirements/IMs/2011/pfce-framework.pdfSYSTEMIC, INTEGRATED, and COMPREHENSIVESystemic means that parent, family and community engagement is anchored in leadership priorities, program management, continuous improvement systems and staff development.

Integrated to be effective PFCE activities are carried out throughout the entire organization. For example, directors, teachers, assistant teachers, family support staff, home visitors, health and disabilities staff all play a role in engaging families and supporting school readiness.

Comprehensive approach, the full range of strengths, interests and needs of the adults and children in a family are considered and staff support families by connecting them with services and resources to achieve their goals.7

Comprehensive

Systemic

Integrated

Implementing PCFEComprehensive -The full range of strengths, interests and needs of the adults and children are considered and staff support families by connecting them with services and resources to achieve their goals

Systemic- PFCE is anchored in leadership priorities, program management, continuous improvement systems, and staff development.

Integrated-PFCE activities are carried out throughout the entire organization.

8PROGRAM FOUNDATIONSPROGRAM IMPACT AREASFAMILY ENGAGEMENT OUTCOMESCHILD OUTCOMESProgram Leadership: Ambitious goals and high expectations Collaborative decision-making Parent, Family and Community Engagement is a shared priority for all staff.

Continuous Program Improvement Data about parent, family and community engagement efforts and outcomes drive decision-making

Professional Development High quality training for all staff Cross-service area teams Career pathways and recognitionProgram Environment Welcoming and inviting setting Cultural and linguistic responsiveness System of regular communication with families Family Partnerships Families are partners in developing and achieving the goals in their family plan Respectful, trusting relationships between staff and parents Respectful, trusting relationships with parents and children in support of the parent-child relationships Teaching and Learning Parents partner to support childrens learning and development Supporting families as lifelong educators Supporting positive parent-child relationships Support for transitions Community Partnerships Commitment to social support systems within programs and with larger community Collaborative relationships for comprehensive servicesFamily Well-being

Parent-Child Relationships

Families as Lifelong Educators Families as Learners

Family Engagement in Transitions

Family Connections to Peers and Community

Families as Advocates and LeadersChildren are ready for school and sustain development and learning gains through third grade

Head Start Parent, Family and Community Engagement FrameworkPositive & Goal-Oriented Relationships Family Well-being

PFCE practices need to be incorporated into everything your program is and does.Embed PFCE practices within the foundations of the program as well as the program impact areas (this chart shows the breadth and relation to outcomes the self-assessment addresses the depth).9

Program Leadership

Continuous Improvement

Professional Development

PFCE in the Foundation of the Program

Program leadership: director, governing board, policy council, parent committees, management teams10

1. Program Leadership

Ambitious Goals and High Expectations

Collaborative Decision Making

Shared Priority for All Staff

Program Foundations Does your program have a stated vision of PFCE that incorporates ambitious goals and high expectations?How is your vision of PFCE shared with staff and families and integrated into the daily life of your program?How do you measure your progress in moving toward this vision?How do you engage in collaborative decision-making with families, staff and community partners?How do you build a strong and meaningful commitment to PFCE as a priority for all staff members?11Does your program have a stated vision of PFCE that incorporates ambitious goals and high expectations?How is your vision of PFCE shared with staff and families and integrated into the daily life of your program?How do you measure your progress in moving toward this vision?How do you engage in collaborative decision-making with families, staff and community partners?How do you build a strong and meaningful commitment to PFCE as a priority for all staff members?

2. Continuous Improvement

Using Data on PFCE Efforts to Make Decisions

Program Foundations

Leadership is committed to continuously improving systems and activities to engage and support parents and families.Use regular assessments, data and benchmarks to inform goal-directed and positive relationships with parents, families and communities.

How do you define and document progress in PFCE relationships and practices in your program?

How do you collect and use data on progress in all 7 OHS PFEO (family well-being, positive parent-child relationships, families as lifelong educators, families as learners, family engagement in transitions, family connections to peers and community and families as advocate and leaders?

How do you seek feedback from parents, families and community partners to inform your continuous improvement efforts?

How is the data you gather used to inform change in your community?13How do you define and document progress in PFCE relationships and practices in your program?

How do you collect and use data on progress in all 7 OHS PFEO (family we