Engaging Families

ENGAGING FAMILIES Presented by

Becky Leiter, EC Consultant

WELCOME!!

Who are we?SupervisorsHome VisitorsNursesFamily WorkersParents

WHAT IS THE SECRET TO FAMILY ENGAGEMENT??????

There is no secret It takes hard work It takes imagination and creativity

Relationship Building is the key

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT/PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Parent InvolvementResponsibility of

FSWRevolves around

outputsPI focus is PC,

Parent Mtgs, etcPI collects data

about numbers attending

Family EngagementEmbedded in all

staff’s workPositive/Goal

DirectedOngoing

relationships Improve services

through data

RELATIONSHIPS

Respect

Non-judgmental

Understanding

COMMUNICATION!!

Active Listening

Parallel Process

HOW WE ARE WITH FAMILIES IS AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT WE DO

Attitudes, beliefs and values

Parents perception

Discuss

PARTNERSHIP TALK Conversation not an interview

Focus on the family with the conversation

Ask open-ended questions/practice active listening

Attitude of “not knowing” and “wanting to understand”

PARTNERSHIP TALK CONT’D

Encourage different points of view

Listen to those points!

Share power and knowledge Collaborate with the family

EXPLORE STAFF INTERACTIONS

Observe home visits

Evaluate yourself as a home visitor

Does conversation happen?

Observe body language of all/non-verbal messages

STAFF INTERACTIONS CONT’D

Open ended questions

Non-judgmental

Respect for opposing points of view

Acknowledgement of family strengths

WHAT DO WE WANT FROM FAMILIES?

WHAT WE WANT FROM FAMILIES

Participation and engagementInvolved in PlanningConnectionReceptivenessPeer Support

Many others goals can be identified by each program

WHAT DOES ENGAGEMENT LOOK LIKE IN YOUR PROGRAM?

OR DOES IT LOOK MORE LIKE THIS?

DO WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT????

Include families in the planning

Include grandparents in the activities

Base activities, training, presentations on the Family Goal Plans/Child Outcomes/Family Interests

RELATIONSHIPS

We have talked a lot about relationships

A subject most programs feel comfortable with

What is the next step, how do we evolve to family engagement?

Purposefully planning for family engagement in the program

ACTION PLAN

Handout of simple action plan At your table: identify the problem Create a Goal Identify some strategies People responsible What outcome do you want

RESOURCES USED IN PRESENTATION

Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC)

Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (PCAN)

Head Start Performance Standards Parent, Family and Community

Engagement Framework (Markers of Progress)

Home Visiting the PITC Way (Program for Infant Toddler Care; West Ed)

THANK YOU For your participation and sharing of

ideas and the hard work and time you put into the program

Contact information: Becky Leiter, EC Consultantbeckyleiter@embarqmail.comCell: 717-994-0259