Kids Talk Legislative Briefing Family Engagement in Ohio December 8, 2011 Angela Sausser Short Ohio Family and Children First

OFCF - Who We Are A partnership of state and local government, communities, and families that work together to enhance the well-being of Ohio’s children and families by building community capacity, strategically coordinating systems and services, and engaging and empowering families.

What is “Family Engagement”? Multiple Definitions Depends on who you ask, at what level, for which system, and for what purpose

Family Engagement Levels 1.Family Focused: train, educate, or support parents. Usually system or diagnosis specific and general information for support. Most common level. 2.System Focused: case level assistance in service/treatment planning and supports identification at local level. Advocating for more support for their family and other families. 3.Policy Focused: advocating to the state departments, legislature, and local government for policy changes, system changes, funding.

Family Engagement & Empowerment Research Research revealed Ohio is rich in resources for engaging and support families, but there is a lack of coordination so duplication is occurring. Recommendations focused on: (1) networking parent advocacy resources; (2) improving communication; (3) creating leadership opportunity; (4) improving parent-professional partnerships; (5) increase participation in policy decisions

OFCF Family Engagement Committee Formed in June 2009 by OFCF with membership consisting of parents, state department representatives, parent advocates, state associations, and other key stakeholders. Purpose: To strengthen and enhance family engagement opportunities and resources in Ohio by coordinating efforts across systems and the state.

OFCF Family Engagement Committee 1.Parent Advocacy: Identifying existing parent advocacy supports and trainings and coordinate such resources. Identifying current gaps in parent advocacy supports.  Needs/Resource Assessment  Systems Information for Red Treehouse website  Tips for parents when working with systems  Parent Advocacy Connection and its connection with other parent advocacy groups (trainings, network, sharing resources, etc.)

Parent Advocacy Connection In FY 2006 and as part of the OFCF/ODMH Access to Better Care Initiative, Parent Advocacy Connection (PAC) was created. Contracted with NAMI-Ohio to serve as the administrative agent for PAC Funded through JFS federal money with match from ODMH, ODADAS, ODODD, ODYS Purpose: Make parent advocates available to parents and their children who are receiving FCFC service coordination.

OFCF Family Engagement Committee 2. Parent/Professional: Identifying existing parent/professional trainings, including family engagement and parent leadership. Connecting parents to such opportunities. Identifying ways for Ohio to strengthen parent & professional partnerships.  Training survey administered & analyzed  Organizations will promote via the Red Treehouse website  Revised the “How Friendly Is Your Agency” checklist  Researching national training curricula for family engagement  Considering a cross-system family engagement conference in future

OFCF Family Engagement Committee 3.Red Treehouse: Created in partnership with the Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland for families, young adults, and professionals.  Serve as Ohio’s Network for Family Engagement, to help families and professionals promote the well-being of children and young adults, prenatal to age 25.  Actively engage, motivate and empower families  Strengthen parent professional partnerships.  Personalize information retrieval according to location, age of child or young adult, and topic of need or interest.

RedTreehouse.org  Professionals and organizations can: Post events Expand outreach Broaden geographic reach Direct visitors to their websites  Red Treehouse is not an information/referral system, such as a 211.

Red Treehouse Launch Dates LAUNCH SCHEDULE:  Regions 1 & Remainder of 3: February 2012  Regions 8 & 9: April 2012  Regions 7 &10: August 2012  Regions 2 & 6: January 2013  Region 5: April 2013 October 12, 2011 Launched: Cuyahoga & Lorain

Next Steps with Family Engagement  Expand the Red Treehouse website statewide and with more organizations and resources  Increase parent advocacy resources in Ohio  Strengthen parent & professional partnerships in Ohio  Identify, support, and promote policy opportunities for family engagement within state government

Thank You!! For more information about OFCF Family Engagement Steering Committee, contact: Angela Sausser Short, OFCF Director (614)