U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Webinar Date: September 29, :00PM ET Presenters: Division of Youth Services U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Parent and Family Engagement

Moderator 2 Maisha Meminger Division of Youth Services U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration

Objectives Emphasize the role and importance of parents for overall YCC program success Reinforce serving YCC program participants holistically through consistent and structured parental engagement Provide guidelines for developing a parent engagement plan Provide strategies to overcome barriers that prevent parent engagement 3

Outline 1.Presenter Introductions 2.Parent Engagement Guidelines 3.Parent Meetings 4.Effective Communication with Parents 5.Overcoming Obstacles and Strategies 6.Connecting Parents to Networks and Resources 7.Patti Hunt, Pathways Bradley County, TN 8.Resources 4

Who are “Parents”? Within the YCC program the term parent is used in an all-encompassing manner to include biological parents, grandparents, family members who are caregivers, legal guardians, step-parents, and other adults who have a primary role in the student’s life. 5

Subject Matter Expert 6 Annette L. Gantt, YCC Consultant Gantt Consulting, LLC Upper Marlboro, MD

Parent Engagement Guidelines Purpose of Guidelines to outline parent participation expectations including attendance at annual meetings to share dates of parent meetings and special events Sample guideline content could include schedule of planned meetings (bi-monthly, quarterly) percent of meetings parents are expected to attend ( %) solicitation for parent “champions” to co-lead with YCC team members 7

Polling Questions Does your program have written Parent Engagement Guidelines? Yes No If your program does have written guidelines, does it include participation and/or attendance expectations? Yes No 8

Parent Engagement Guidelines Guidelines should outline mutual responsibilities YCC staff responsibilities timely distribution of information about program expectations and changes timely information about school district programs and other relevant resources receipt of parent signatures on all required documentation waivers: photo, participation, EEO Parent Responsibilities attend YCC parent meetings as scheduled volunteer for YCC program events and activities participate in decisions relating to the education of YCC students 9

Effective Parent Meetings 10 To increase participation and attendance understand the needs of YCC parents: meeting times and locations are flexible and accommodate the schedules and transportation requirements if/when necessary, transportation resources are provided interpreters and/or sign language professionals are provided to accommodate limited English speaking and/or deaf and hard of hearing parents meeting locations that have free parking and are centrally located meeting locations are accessible by public transportation light, healthy refreshments and snacks could be provided volunteers (e.g., older YCC youth) are available to provide activities for children of parents attending the meeting, e.g., tutoring, games, childcare

Effective Parent Meetings 11 Identify parents who could co-facilitate parent meetings with YCC staff Parent meetings can be a forum for updating key stakeholders, as well as, increasing program awareness Agendas should be co-planned to include topics and resources relevant to parents Program updates, successes and challenges Program and school district partnership and key staff at the district and school level School district academic agenda Available resources for students and parents Guest speakers based on parent needs/requests

Special Events 12 Special events could be planned for: Recognizing YCC students for Outstanding Student Performance and Academic Achievement Rewarding superstar parents for exceptional participation and leadership (parent champions) Recognizing program partners Hosting a YCC Community Service Day Hosting college and employment fairs YCC student competitions

Polling Question 13 On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being the lowest and 5 the highest), how would you rate your parent participation and attendance at meetings?

Train & Connect Parents to Resources 14 Parent Meetings should provide information about: human services and mental wellness services employment and employability services (e.g., labor market information, One Stop Center services, resume writing and interview services) FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the college admissions process

Train & Connect Parents to Resources 15 Train parents with tools to be full and active partners/advocates by proving information: to educate them about how program outcomes align with the school district’s academic agenda about how to participate in Board of Education meetings on how to connect with their local PTAs and parent resources centers

Train & Connect Parents to Resources 16 Additional meeting agenda topics to create engagement: Adult education resources Information sessions that prepare parents and students for transitioning out of one school and into the next, or from high school Informational and training sessions on Positive Youth Development and about parenting adolescents Parent- and teacher-led workshops on topics such as how to help with homework or educational disabilities Written, disability specific materials to parents outlining important information about disabilities and services

Communication Tools & Strategies 17 Use a communication system consistently that is specific to parent preferences and that ensures there is no break in communication Assist parents with accessing school newsletters, websites, blogs, monthly calendar of events Offer materials in multiple languages Use personal contact to follow-up, including making home visits Distribute YCC newsletters Embrace technology, s, texts, tweets, etc…

Polling Question 18 What types of obstacles have you experienced with parent engagement? What types of strategies have you implemented to overcome those obstacles?

Obstacles & Strategies ObstaclesStrategies 1.Getting parents to attend meetingsSurvey parents to determine preferences for meeting times, locations and dates. Make home visits, or meet with parents at their work site. Provide activities for children and childcare (e.g., use student volunteers). 2.Getting parent signatures on consent forms Use waivers that grant permission to enroll and interact with youth until parent signatures can be obtained. Deliver and collect forms during home or work site visits. 19

Obstacles & Strategies ObstaclesStrategies 3.Keeping current and accurate parent contact information Make quarterly or annual phones calls specifically to update contact information. Mail parent contact forms annually. Send text messages, e.g., Remind 101, requesting parents to submit and/or verify contact information. Update parent contact information during home or work site visits. 4.Communicating pertinent program information Identify a parent champion to act as liaison between YCC program staff and other parents. Designate a parent engagement coordinator to communicate regularly with parents.

Grantee Presenter 21 Patti Hunt Grant Manager Pathways Bradley Bradley County, TN

Bradley County Schools Bradley Central High School Walker Valley High School

Pathways Bradley Parent Night Agenda Welcome: Grant Manger Overview of Program: Career Coach History and Purpose Instructions about Forms – Program Consent, Photographic, Information Sheet, Venue Form/Guidelines Handbook Plans for this year: WBL Coordinator, Career Coach Mentoring, Field Trips, College Tours, Career Counseling, Camps, Industry Certifications, Focus on Soft Skills, Internship/video Communication: Career Coach Remind.com to Dell Venues: Grant Manger Review One-to-One Procedures and Information Handbook

Remind 101

Other ways to get the word out to parents! Website Social Media Strategy HootSuite Twitter Instagram Facebook 25

Resources Afterschool Alliance: Afterschool: A Key to Successful Parent Engagement ( Brockton Public Schools: Parent Engagement Program ( Georgia Department of Education: Parent Engagement Program ( Engagement-Program.aspx) Engagement-Program.aspx Green Dot Public Schools: Building Parent Engagement Programs ( ment_Programs_-_Annual_Report_-_2013.pdf) ment_Programs_-_Annual_Report_-_2013.pdf National PTA: Overcoming Obstacles to Parent Involvement ( 26

Resources Ohio Department of Education: Sample Best Practices for Parent Involvement in Schools ( -and-Community- Engagement/Getting-Parents-Involved/Sample-Best-Practices-for-Parent- Involvement-in-Sc( -and-Community- Engagement/Getting-Parents-Involved/Sample-Best-Practices-for-Parent- Involvement-in-Sc) Positive Youth Development ( Project Appleseed: Benefits & Barriers to Family Involvement in Education ( U.S. Department of Education: Family and Community Engagement ( 27

Please enter your questions in the Chat Room! 28

U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration U PCOMING TRAININGS : E MPLOYER E NGAGEMENT MARKETING S AVE THE D ATE : YCC A NNUAL C ONFERENCE J ULY 2016

CONTACT US U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N-4456 Washington, DC