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Best Practices in Communicating with Parents & Families
Branka Kristic Sarah SchuppDirector of Parent & Family Programs
Hofstra University Vice-Chair, AHEPPP
CEO & FounderUniversityParent
AHEPPP
AHEPPP is dedicated to facilitating meaningful and lasting contact with college and university parents and family programs by establishing a
national support network that provides:
Annual National Conference
Career & Networking Opportunities
Regional Conferences Member ResourcesResearch & Journal Professional Development
Communicateuntil they
hear.
Education Advisory Board. Student Affairs Leadership Council (2010). Partnering with parents for student success: Strategies for communication and engagement. The Advisory Board Company, Washington, D.C.
CAS Standards for Parent and Family Programs available on aheppp.org for members
How do you communicate with parents & families before
orientation?
Pre-Entry
Admissions: parent contact informationEmail families in MayMail parent and family handbookFamily OrientationWeb site: maintain correct information
Parent Handbook
•Transition from high school to college•Resource description, phone numbers•Title IX programs and services (new)•Neighborhood places•Glossary - think of first generation families
Parent Handbook Examples
See UniversityParent.com for more examples
How do you communicate with parents & families
during orientation?
Family Orientation
•Engage them in discussions•Ask directors to participate•Facilitate connection amongst parents•Topics: adjust as per assessment
How do you communicate with parents & families through the
first-year?
Retention
•E-newsletters: anticipate questions•On-campus workshops (archived online)•Call parents of at-risk students (w/FERPA)•Use social media!
Crisis Communication
•Are you part of the crisis communication plan?•Students first – alert system; then parents•Dedicated staff and communication builds trust•Web resources: emergency FAQs
Lessons Learned
• Join to AHEPPP to learn from your colleagues about best practices•Dedicated, full-time parent program professional•The earlier the better•Communicating with parents is not the same as communicating with students
QuestionsWe are happy to answer your questions & would love to hear from you!
Please don't hesitate to contact us.
Branka Kristic@brankristic
Sarah Schupp@sarah_schupp
UniversityParent.com
AHEPPP@aheppp
Additional Resources•College Parent Handbook Examples•Guide to Supporting Your Student’s Freshman Year•College Parent Email Newsletter Examples•Articles/Content to Share with Parents•Example College Glossary of Terms for Parents
