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AGENDA 8:40 am – 9:00 am - Check In & Continental Breakfast 9:00 am – 12:00 pm - Welcome & Introductions Background of Family Resource Center Assn & Standards Overview of Family Support Overview of the Strengthening Families Approach Structure and Implementation of the Standards Standards Section A. Family Centeredness Standards Section B. Family Strengthening 12:00 pm – 12:30pm – Lunch 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm Standards Section C. Embracing Diversity Standards Section D. Community Building Standards Section E. Evaluation 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm Next Steps Activity Training Evaluation 2

3 HOUSEKEEPING Certification Volunteers Mute cell phones and save texting, ipad, and laptop use for the breaks Label your binder Restrooms

DESIRED OUTCOMES Participants understand the frameworks on which the Standards are based. Participants understand the Standards and are ready to apply them. Participants understand how the Standards can enhance their work with families. 4

Founded in 1998 Comprised of 23 local Family Resource Centers Providing services and support to more than 50,000 Colorado families Mission: The Family Resource Center Association provides public advocacy, capacity building, and resource development to strengthen our statewide network of family resource centers as they bring help and hope to Colorado families. 5 Colorado Family Resource Center Association

FRCA Member Centers FRCA members serve 45 counties across the state.

FRCA Services Joint Programming: Statewide Programs –Strengthening Families –Healthy Living –Capacity Building Advocacy and Outreach –Representation at legislature –Active participation in major statewide initiatives and coalitions relevant to children and families Intermediary Organization –Capacity Building, Training and Technical Assistance to promote organizational sustainability –Resource Development to facilitate funding opportunities for members

The Colorado Family Resource Center Model Colorado FRC Foundational Frameworks Colorado Statute in Family Support Principles &Practices FRCA Membership Policies in 2000 Family Development Credentialing Training in 2009 Colorado Strengthening Families Protective Factors Movement 2010 So, why consider Quality Standards?

Why Quality Standards? Expanded opportunities to partner with local DSS as we move into CDHS Need to clearly define our role in the continuum of family support services in Colorado New Member inquiries are increasing. What minimum standards do we expect them to meet before they can be considered an FRC? National adoption of measureable standards by the field of family support

IMPORTANCE OF STANDARDS Implementation will help ensure that families are supported and strengthened through quality practice Put our field of Family Strengthening and Support in the same league as other fields. Integrate and operationalize the Principles of Family Support Practice together with the Strengthening Families Approach. 10

Benefits of Measureable Standards Advocate for our strength-based approach to family support (family-centered and family-friendly) Define ourselves sufficiently to: Create a conceptual framework that is tied to proven research Create a logic model to show the impact of our work Track outcomes when model is implemented with fidelity Message Return on Investment to donors Advocate for policy change regarding funding decisions that impact families and children 2013: Standards Adopted by FRCA Membership

Founded in Comprised of statewide networks of two or more Family Resource Centers or Family Strengthening Programs. Represents more than 2,000 programs supporting USA families. Mission: To connect statewide networks across the United States to promote quality practice, peer learning, mutual support, and effective policies and systems that support positive outcomes for children, families and communities. 12 NATIONAL NETWORK OF FAMILY SUPPORT & STRENGTHENING NETWORKS

Km 100 Miles 500 Miles 0500 KM Miles Km HI AK AL AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA ID IL IN OA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NB NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY NATIONAL NETWORK MEMBERSHIP

STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT PROCESS National scan of 17 sets of standards for Family Strengthening and related fields Decided to work off of the San Francisco Family Support Standards, which had been successfully implemented since As part of an 18-month development process, the Standards were vetted with nearly 1,000 diverse organizations serving rural and urban populations across California. The Center for the Study of Social Policy reviewed and provided feedback on the Standards. Approved by the California Network of Family Strengthening Networks Membership in Adopted by the National Network of Family Support and Strengthening Networks in

APPLICATION OF THE STANDARDS Family Strengthening and Support Programs Blueprint for implementing best practice Self-Assessment Demonstrate Quality Policy Makers Endorse for application in their areas of influence Direct Service Staff Reflect on and enhance their work with families Funders Integrate into requests for proposals, monitoring and quality assurance Networks of Family Strengthening and Support Providers Quality Assurance Capacity Building Adopt as criteria for membership Families Partner with Programs to apply the Standards Provide feedback about how well Program is applying the Standards 15

PROGRAM APPLICATION OF THE STANDARDS Successful application of the Standards requires the commitment and support of all levels of Program responsibility: Executive Directors Managers Coordinators Direct Service Staff Parent Leaders Families 16

HISTORY OF THE FAMILY SUPPORT FIELD 17 Good Samaritan Settlement House Good Samaritan Family Resource Center 1913 current day

HISTORY OF THE FAMILY SUPPORT FIELD 18

FOCUS ON FAMILIES Our focus is on families who are responsible for raising children. These families consist of at least one adult and one child who are related biologically, emotionally, or legally. Families may consist of one parent, two parents, grandparents, foster parents, legal guardians or they may arise from a need for mutual support. 19

20 FAMILY SUPPORT DEFINITION

THE PRINCIPLES OF FAMILY SUPPORT PRACTICE 21 Page 5

1. Staff and families work together in relationships based on equality and respect. 22 THE PRINCIPLES OF FAMILY SUPPORT PRACTICE

2. Staff enhance families’ capacity to support the growth and development of all family members – adults, youth, and children. 23 THE PRINCIPLES OF FAMILY SUPPORT PRACTICE

3. Families are resources to their own members, to other families, to programs, and to communities. 24 THE PRINCIPLES OF FAMILY SUPPORT PRACTICE

4. Programs affirm and strengthen families’ cultural, racial, and linguistic identities and enhance their ability to function in a multicultural society. 25 THE PRINCIPLES OF FAMILY SUPPORT PRACTICE

5. Programs are embedded in their communities and contribute to the community-building process. 26 THE PRINCIPLES OF FAMILY SUPPORT PRACTICE

6. Programs advocate with families for services and systems that are fair, responsive and accountable to the families served. 27 THE PRINCIPLES OF FAMILY SUPPORT PRACTICE

7. Practitioners work with families to mobilize formal and informal resources to support family development. 28 THE PRINCIPLES OF FAMILY SUPPORT PRACTICE

8. Programs are flexible and continually responsive to emerging family and community issues. 29 THE PRINCIPLES OF FAMILY SUPPORT PRACTICE

9. Principles of family support are modeled in all program activities, including planning, governance, and administration. 30 THE PRINCIPLES OF FAMILY SUPPORT PRACTICE

THE 5 PROTECTIVE FACTORS 31 Page 6

PARENTAL RESILIENCE Be strong and flexible. 32

SOCIAL CONNECTIONS Parents need friends. 33

CONCRETE SUPPORT IN TIMES OF NEED We all need help sometimes. 34

KNOWLEDGE OF PARENTING AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT Parents need to know how children grow. 35

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL COMPETENCE OF CHILDREN Parents need to help children to interact and communicate well.. 36

STRATEGIES FOR BUILDING THE 5 PROTECTIVE FACTORS How many of your Programs currently use these strategies? 37 Page 7

5 SECTIONS OF THE STANDARDS Family Centeredness Valuing and recognizing families as integral to the Program Family Strengthening Supporting families to be strong, healthy and safe, thereby promoting their optimal development Embracing Diversity Acknowledging and respecting families’ diversity, supporting their participation in a diverse society, and engaging in ongoing learning about and adaptation to diversity Community Building Contributing to building a strong and healthy community by facilitating families’ social connections, developing their leadership skills, and collaborating with other Programs Evaluation Looking at areas of Program strength, as well as areas for further development, in order to guide continuous quality improvement and achieve positive results for families 38

FAMILY CENTEREDNESS Draw a picture of what Family Centeredness looks like in relation to working with families. 39

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41 FAMILY CENTEREDNESS

Program demonstrates that families are important to it by engaging them in planning, developing, and implementing it. Outreach to and developing good relationships with families are important. Program “practices what it preaches” by working with its own staff in ways that demonstrate family centeredness. 42

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QUALITY INDICATORS Minimum Quality Indicators: Create a solid Family Strengthening and Support Program foundation Are met within a reasonable scope of resources of a Family Strengthening and Support Program High Quality Indicators: Are built upon Minimum Quality being in place first. Programs are encouraged to strive to meet them in order to serve families most effectively. Some may require capacity building and more investment to meet. Implementing the Standards is a developmental process and it is common that Programs may see aspects of their work on different points along the Continuum of Minimum to High Quality. 44

MOVING FROM MINIMUM TO HIGH QUALITY - Formal Structure - Staff Training - Family Partnership Minimum Quality Indicator High Quality Indicator For these Sections: Family Centeredness Family Strengthening One or more of the elements in the arrow moves a Program from: Embracing Diversity Community Building FoundationalDeeper integration 45

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48 SWITCH IT UP

FAMILY CENTEREDNESS Group Assignments Group 1 – Indicators A. 1.1 Group 2 – Indicators A. 2.1 Group 3 – Indicators A. 2.2 Group 4 – Indicators A. 3.1 Group 5 – Indicators A. 3.2 Group 6 – Indicators A

MATCHING EXERCISE Introduce yourselves to each other. Open your workbooks only to Arrow on p. 9. Review the Standard and Indicators, Read each example, determine if it illustrates Minimum or High Quality, and attach under the Indictor it fits. If you finish before other groups, write up your own examples using the 8.5”x11” blank paper and the markers (one per sheet). Identify a reporter who will read out the Standard and Indicators to the rest of the participants. 50

REFLECTION Review the Family Centeredness Section and note your reflections and ideas for next steps for your Program. 51

52 FAMILY STRENGTHENING

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FAMILY STRENGTHENING Program builds protective factors with family members of different ages and over time. Program supports families’ cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Staff and families work in partnership to support families’ development. Program encourages families to build relationships with each other for peer support and resource sharing. Program intentionally includes multiple family members. 54

SHARING EXAMPLES Read the assigned indicators and review the examples. Share with each other your own examples and determine if they illustrate minimum or high quality indicators. Record them in your workbook. Identify a reporter who will read out the Standard and Indicators and some of your examples to the rest of the participants. You have 10 minutes. 55

FAMILY STRENGTHENING Group Assignments Group 1 – Indicators B. 1.1, p.20 Group 2 – Indicators B. 1.2, p.21 Group 3 – Indicators B. 2.1, p.22 Group 4 – Indicators B. 2.2, p.23 Group 5 – Indicators A. 3.1, p.24 Group 6 – Indicators A. 3.2, p.25 56

REFLECTION Review the Family Strengthening Section and note your reflections and ideas for next steps for your Program 57

LUNCH 58

EMBRACING DIVERSITY 59

EXPLORING DIVERSITY Write your name on top of the sheet. Get to know each other by asking the questions in the boxes. If a participant can answer a question, ask that person to sign the box. You cannot fill in the boxes with your own name. The trainers cannot fill in boxes. Do not use cell phones to look up answers. 60

What skills/qualities are needed to work effectively with the diverse populations that you just identified? 61 EMBRACING DIVERSITY

There are many aspects of families’ diversity. 62 Page 26

EMBRACING DIVERSITY There are many layers of diversity that we need to pay attention to. 63

EMBRACING DIVERSITY Both staff and families need to develop skills to interact with people different from them. 64

EMBRACING DIVERSITY Embracing diversity is an ongoing process that requires ongoing commitment. 65

66 SWITCH IT UP

DIVERSITY SCENARIOS Introduce yourselves to each other Read the Standard and Indicators that apply to your group’s Scenario Read the Scenario and discuss it Identify the Minimum and High Quality examples in the Scenario 67

DIVERSITY SCENARIOS Group Assignments Group 1 – Indicators C. 1.1, p.27, Scenario 1 Group 2 – Indicators C. 1.2, p.28, Scenario 2 Group 3 – Indicators C. 1.2, p.28, Scenario 3 Group 4 – Indicators C. 2.1, p.29, Scenario 4 Group 5 – Indicators C. 2.2, p.30, Scenario 5 Group 6 – Indicators C. 3.1, p.31, Scenario 6 68

Diversity Activity One member of the team to the front of the room One member each hold the minimum and high quality indicators on the right and left side of the room The rest of the room line up down the center of the room. As the leader reads the scenario you may follow along on the screen, if the sentenance 69

REFLECTION Review the Embracing Diversity Section and note your reflections and ideas for next steps for your Program 70

COMMUNITY BUILDING 71

Web of Connections 72 COMMUNITY BUILDING

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What do we need to do as organizations and staff to support families to have a voice in their communities? 74 COMMUNITY BUILDING

Families move along a continuum to collectively take an active role in the larger community. Program actively engages in addressing community issues. Program collaborates with other stakeholders to build and strengthen the community. 75

BEST SUMMARY ACTIVITY Review the Standard and Indicators. Decide as a team how you will present the information in 5 min – a skit, a group presentation, a song, a drawing, or anything else. The presentation needs to include sharing of the text of the Standard and Indicators and illustrate both Minimum and High Quality. Judges determine the clarity of the presentations and fill in any missing information. 76

COMMUNITY BUILDING Group Assignments Group 1 – Indicators D. 1.1 p33 Group 2 – Indicators D. 1.2 p34 Group 3 – Judges Group 4 – Indicators D. 2.1 p35 Group 5 – Indicators D. 3.1 p36 Group 6 – Judges 77

REFLECTION Review the Community Building Section and note your reflections and ideas for next steps for your Program. 78

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EVALUATION 80

EVALUATION How do you know that your work with families makes a difference? 81

EVALUATION Evaluation = the ongoing process of assessing what works and what needs to be modified Effective evaluation collects and combines data on program participation, quality, and outcomes. Families are partners in the evaluation process. Program incorporates evaluation as a core part of its work. 82 Page 37

EVALUATION ARROW - Data Analysis - Sharing Evaluation Results - Program Modification - Training for Evaluation Integration Minimum Quality Indicator High Quality Indicator One or more of the elements in the arrow moves a Program from: FoundationalDeeper integration 83

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IMPLEMENTATION TOOLS The Standards are part of a suite of materials that are used for their implementation, all of which can be downloaded for free at Program Self-Assessment Tool – designed to be used as a critical thinking exercise by Program teams of managers, direct service staff, parent leaders, and other stakeholders as appropriate. Staff Self-Reflection Checklist – consists of 15 self-reflection questions for staff members to use as a daily reminder to implement the Standards. Standards Participant Survey – consists of 14 questions for Program participants to indicate how well a Program is meeting the Standards from the families’ perspective. Available in English, Spanish, and Chinese.

REFLECTION Review the Evaluation Section and note your reflections and ideas for next steps for your Program 86

NEXT STEPS How do these Standards compare to what you are doing now? Which indicators do you think your Program needs to focus on? What will your next steps be? 87

REVIEW OF DESIRED OUTCOMES We understand the frameworks on which the Standards are based. We understand the Standards and are ready to apply them. We understand how the Standards can enhance our work with families. 88

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EVALUATION OF TODAY’S TRAINING 90