ENGAGING PARENTS IN STUDENTS’ PATH TO COLLEGE AND CAREER SUCCESS NOTE: SLIDES TAKEN FROM LARGER WEBINAR PRESENTED IN MARCH, 2014 CONTENT FOR THIS PORTION PROVIDED BY COLLEGE BOUND, ST. LOUIS

Welcome & Thank You: USA Funds Indiana Commission for Higher Education

Leah Boersig College Bound, St. Louis ENGAGING THE FAMILY in the TRANSITION TO COLLEGE

FAMILIES AS PARTNERS CORE VALUES ① Radical Welcome ② Parents Are Learners ③ Parents Are Teachers ④ Break Down Barriers ⑤ Persistent Contact

①RADICAL WELCOME Families expect a radical welcome by every person to every person who enters the office. Express genuine friendship and care. Create bond through shared commitment to student’s success. Office hours, Parent networking events

②PARENTS ARE LEARNERS Parents want to be informed about children’s education. Teach parents in the same engaging, effective way you would teach their students. Parent mailings, workshops, and events

③PARENTS ARE TEACHERS Parents and families are usually the main support system for students and have a huge influence on their choices and actions through direct instruction and modeling. Give parents tools, like staff, to empower them to share knowledge and advice. Parent leadership committee, Parent designed programs

④BREAK DOWN BARRIERS Provide food. Help problem-solve transportation issues and provide necessary tools and assistance. Bus Tickets and Rides Offer childcare during events. Make every effort to share information. “Did Not Attend” Parent Meetings Mailings

⑤ PERSISTENT CONTACT Always update contact information. Naviance Database Try multiple methods of communication. Aim for maximum contact within bandwidth of organization. More contact leads to greater results. Contact Procedure for Priority Events

Comprehensive Approach

PREVENT SUMMER MELT If you can only do one thing… Enrollment workshops! Use volunteers, use older students, use more experienced parents. Use whatever you can to get students this critical support! 0 Student + Parent + Staff 0 Late May/Early June 0 Identify barriers, challenges, needs: 0 Financial Review 0 Enrollment To Do List 0 Introduce follow up support

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS