2016 Family Engagement Conference Departments of Education and Human Services | | Community Innovation Zones: Innovative Approaches to Family Engagement Samantha Gray Community Innovation Zone Grant Manger

Departments of Education and Human Services | | How do you define family engagement?

Departments of Education and Human Services | | A well thought out process involving the entire school community, NOT a series of events. A set of day-to-day practices, attitudes, beliefs and interactions that support learning at home as well as at school, NOT a one-time program. National PTA Pennsylvania’s overarching goal for family engagement is to support strong partnerships between families, communities, early learning programs, and schools to promote children’s school readiness and achievement.

Departments of Education and Human Services | |

STANDARD 1: Families are supported and connected to community resources. STANDARD 2: School communities and families build partnerships that are affirming, reciprocal, and respectful. STANDARD 3: Families have the knowledge and understanding to encourage and support their students’ learning and development. STANDARD 4: Family members have support from other families, empowering and strengthening the entire school community. STANDARD 5: Families are supported by the school community to develop and use leadership and advocacy skills. STANDARD 6: Families are supported in times of transition.

Departments of Education and Human Services | | Families are supported and connected to community resources

Departments of Education and Human Services | | Focus on Renewal(FOR) – Allegheny County FOR family engagement coordinator outreaches and connects to a variety of community based organizations – some of which might be considered unlikely partners. For example: theater groups, a community organizer focused on public transportation, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the local school board, and a local wireless internet provider.

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School communities and families build partnerships that are affirming, reciprocal, and respectful Step Inc. –Lycoming County STEP, STEP Head Start, and Stevens Primary School have partnered to create a program called Stevens Promise. The program has students and their families working with the teachers and community to create a basis for positive educational achievement from preschool through third grade. Participants are either referred through the Steven’s Primary School staff or have joined the program through STEP Head Start. Each family is assigned a Family Navigator to help the provide resources for the home and a community intervention specialist at school as a point of contact.

Departments of Education and Human Services | | Pottstown Area School District (PEAK) – Montgomery County PEAK focused on a target population of Spanish speaking families. The school district contracted with the Pottstown Family Center to provide a full-time bilingual parent outreach specialist. She provides a variety of services from classes and trainings in Spanish to support during kindergarten registration and even help with children’s homework. The school is now sending home information in both Spanish and English.

Departments of Education and Human Services | | Families have the knowledge and understanding to encourage and support their students’ learning and development

Departments of Education and Human Services | | Greater Nanticoke Area School District – Luzern County The Parents as Teachers program offered enrichment activities during the school day for the kindergarten and first grade students. They created take home materials for children to share with their families. Not only did this provide an opportunity for conversation, but also some fun and simple activities to complete together.

Departments of Education and Human Services | |

Berks County Intermediate Unit – Berks County BCIU uses the Raising a Reader program which involves the family in a bi- weekly book exchange. Children receive a red book bag with four age appropriate books that are taken home for two weeks. Families are provided with resources on techniques for reading to young children, as well as strategies families can do to introduce early reading skills.

Departments of Education and Human Services | |

Family members have support from other families, empowering and strengthening the entire school community Greater Johnstown SD – Cambria County Getting Ahead Cohorts: Cohorts with community agencies are scheduled to help parents address issues they are facing and empower them to find solutions on their own and develop a support system. Additionally, GJSD, Goodwill Industries, Cambria County Child Development Centers have created a resource center housed at Goodwill. This location is ideal for PreK and K families.

Departments of Education and Human Services | | Pottstown School District (PEAK) – Montgomery County PEAK partners with the Pottstown Family Center to offer parenting support groups to parents and caregivers in the community. The PEAK Bilingual Parent Outreach Specialist will offer a parent support group using Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP). It is a seven session class that Spanish speaking parents and caregivers will have the opportunity to participate in. The curriculum focuses on parenting skills, strategies and techniques.

Departments of Education and Human Services | |

Families are supported by the school community to develop and use leadership and advocacy skills

Departments of Education and Human Services | |

Families are supported in times of transition Community Action Southwest – Greene County Parent Transition Meeting was held in the 3 rd quarter of the school year. This was a sneak peek of what to expect for the FINAL 9 WEEKS [progress reports/report cards, upcoming events, academic skills, procedures, etc.] as well as the opportunity for parents to ask questions.

Departments of Education and Human Services | |

Other “out of the box” ideas Have parents participate in the interview process for new teachers. Use a variety of school data sources: achievement, demographic, attendance, perceptual. Guide families in interpreting and using that data. Use social media in creative ways: webinars, text messaging, blogging. Use parent ambassadors to welcome and invite new families to participate in school functions and meet other families. Survey families on their needs and develop meetings and agendas accordingly.