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FAMILY PARTICIPATION OR ENGAGEMENT: A POWERFUL DISTINCTION THAT SUPPORTS POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR KIDSPresented at the National Catholic Educational Conference
Orlando, Florida 4/8/15
By Shauna Adams and Susan Ferguson
IntroductionsWho is our audience?
Who we are-Susan Ferguson: ◦Director of the Center for Catholic Education at the University of Dayton◦Marianist Educational Associate◦Family Engagement Collaborative of the Miami Valley Steering Committee◦Catholic Family Traditions Specialist for Stories of God’s Love, RCL-Benziger
Shauna Adams: ◦Director of the Center for Early Learning at the University of Dayton◦Associate Professor of Early Childhood◦Principle Investigator Family Engagement Collaborative of the Miami Valley◦Co-author, Stories of God’s Love, RCL Benziger
Learner Outcomes
Participants will
1. Evaluate their school’s family engagement strategies to identify areas of strength
2. Evaluate their school’s family engagement strategies to identify opportunities for growth
Family Engagement System Self-Evaluation Tool
Throughout this session we will be referring to this tool to assist you as you evaluate the current practice in your school or parish. At the end of the session you will complete an action plan and be invited to join the Family Engagement Collaborative.
Supporting those who Support Families
www.familyengagementcollabortive.com
Tool Kits
The 4 Principles of a Research-based Family Engagement System A. Effective family engagement programs build
relationships between the school and families.
B. Effective family engagement programs appropriately meet the needs of families and children.
C. Effective family engagement programs establish a comprehensive system of communication.
D. Effective family engagement programs embrace and respect the cultural background of all families.
A. Effective family engagement programs build relationships between the school and families.
1. They are based on the belief that families, teachers and administrators are partners and are jointly responsible for school readiness and success.Ready Families + Ready Communities + Ready Schools= Ready Children
2. Establish a family engagement team Teams work together to design,
implement, and monitor the family engagement plan.
More ofthis
Less of this
3. Use effective survey processes.
I did and gave them what they
said they wanted but they still
didn’t show up.
Did you survey the families to see what they
wanted?
4. Use data about families to plan.Be sure that you are gathering the right data.
What you think we can do better
What we think you can do better
5. Incorporate many roles
Families and educators are not limited by the traditional view of their roles
B. Effective family engagement programs appropriately meet the needs of families and children.
1.Empower families by focusing on strengths and avoiding a deficit model
2.Address children and families’ basic needs before higher learning skills.
3.Recognize that many factors act together to influence the development of a child.
4.Provide information about community resources available to support families and educators.
5. Incorporate the Six Protective Factors
Social and Emotional Competence of Children
• Parental Resilience
• Social Connections
• Concrete Supports for Parents
• Nurturing and Attachment
• Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development
5. Incorporate the Six Protective Factors
Social and Emotional Competence of Children
• Parental Resilience
• Social Connections
• Concrete Supports for Parents
• Nurturing and Attachment
• Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development
Family CaféAdapted from the work of Center for the Study of Social Policy,(2006). Strengthen Families: A Protective Factors Framework. http://www.cssp.org/reform/strengtheningfamilies
1.Include a meal
2.Provide child Care
3.Are hosted by families
4. Start with three 2-hour sessions
5. Avoid experts and advice
Family Café Philosophy• Families come with strengths• There are no experts here• Guidelines for successful Cafés
◦ Everyone shares◦ No one dominates◦ Share personal experiences◦ Do not give advice◦ Disagree respectfully
Let’s try a segment of a Family Café
1. What are you doing the same and what are you doing differently from your parents and why?
C. Effective family engagement programs establish a comprehensive system of communication.
1. Work with families to create a clear mission statement
2. Include a two-way communication system
3. Include both formal and informal meetings and/or home visits
D. Effective family engagement programs embrace and respect the cultural background of all families.
1. Include activities that have a clear cultural connection to the community and the participants
2. Involve facilitators who are familiar with the culture of the school and community.
ReferencesCenter for the Study of Social Policy,(2006). Strengthen Families: a Protective Factors
Framework. http://www.cssp.org/reform/strengtheningfamilies
Crosson-Tower, C. (2010). Understanding child abuse and neglect, (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Diffily, D. (2004). Teachers and Families Working Together. Boston, MA: Pearson, Allyn and Bacon.
Epstein, J.L. (2011). School, Family and Community Partnerships: Preparing Educators, Improving Schools. Philadelphia, PA: Westview Press.
Family Engagement Collaborative of the Miami Valley Region: www.familyengagementcollaborative.com
Grant, K.B. & Ray, J.A. (2013). Home, School and Community Collaboration: Culturally Responsive Family Engagement. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Hanson, M. & Lynch, E. (2013). Understanding Families: Supportive Approach to Diversity, Disability, and Risk (2nd). Baltimore, MD: Brookes.
Overton, S. (2005). Collaborating with Families: A Case Study Approach. Columbus, OH: Pearson.
