1. Family Engagement Training

2. Learning Objectives  Explore the impact of family engagement on childhood learning.  Identify key practices for family engagement that are an integral components of the Energy Express program.  Outline procedures for conducting home visits.  Establish site supervisor’s role in promoting family engagement.

3. Impact of Family Engagement on Childhood Learning

4. Key Findings Key Findings about Impact:  The evidence is consistent, positive, and convincing - many forms of family and community involvement influence student achievement at all ages. Key Findings about Making Connections:  When programs and initiatives focus on building respectful and trusting relationships among school staff, families, and community members, they are more effective in creating and sustaining connections that support student achievement.

5. “Effects of Title I Parent Involvement on Student Reading and Mathematics Achievement” Ann Shaver and Richard Walls, 1998 Marion County

6. “Effects of Title I Parent Involvement on Student Reading and Mathematics Achievement” Ann Shaver and Richard Walls, 1998 Normal Curve Equivalent Gains in Skill Area Children with High Parent Involvement Children with Low Parent Involvement Total Math18.310.6 Math Application12.99.3 Total Reading13.34.4 Reading Comprehension 10.94.7 Results

7. “Effects of Title I Parent Involvement on Student Reading and Mathematics Achievement” Ann Shaver and Richard Walls, 1998 Results

8. Engaged family members help to ensure regular child attendance.

9. Engaged family members are able to see their children as successful learners.

10. Children with engaged family members have better social skills, show improved behavior and adapt well to school.

11. “Family Involvement or Family Engagement “We need to relate to families not as clients, but as partners in school and community improvement.” - Larry Ferlazzo

12. Involve is “to enfold or envelope”  identifying projects, needs, and goals and then telling parents how they can contribute. Engage is “to come together and interlock.”  listening to what parents think, dream, and worry about. “Family Involvement or Family Engagement

13. Energy Express Key Practices for Family Engagement  Family/Home Visits  Phone Calls  Good News Notes  Newsletters  Open House/Family Night  Family Volunteer Service (with the Community Service Project)

14. Family Visits  Children and families have the opportunity to learn what the children will experience at Energy Express.  Members will have opportunity to connect with each child and their family and begin the process of establishing the relationship with each child.  Members will learn about each child from the family’s perspective and should share a little about themselves.  Opportunity for members to promote family involvement in Energy Express.  An experiential activity is very important during the family visit.

15. Family Visits  It is extremely important that members intentionally engage children in a hands-on activity during the family visit.  Activity outlines for the family visit will be provided to members. Please ensure that your members select and prepare one of the activities for each family visit as part of their pre-visit preparation.

16. Steps in Conducting Family Visits 1.Pre-Telephone Call 2.Telephone Call 3.Pre-Visit Planning and Preparation 4.Family Visit 5.Post Visit Debriefing & Paperwork

17. Members should keep in mind …. “Safety First”  Members should provide the site supervisor with a detailed family visit appointment list.  Members should always visit families in pairs.  Members should be encouraged to discuss any concerns or fear about visits with the site supervisor.  Members should know that alternate locations may be arranged for family visits.

18. Before divulging information, members should consider:  Who needs the information?  What information is pertinent to the situation?  How will the child be affected by sharing the information? Members should keep in mind …. “Confidentiality”

19.  Members should understand that it is important to display appropriate respect when working with children and families.  Members must remember to understand and appreciate differences.  Members should have a strengths-based focus when working with children and families. Members should keep in mind …. “Respect”

20. What would you do?

21. Next Steps 1.Site Supervisors will provide family visit training for AmeriCorps Members during the first two days of service. Training PowerPoint and family visit activity outline will be provided. 2.Site Supervisors will need to ensure that all AmeriCorps members have also reviewed the family visit information in their manuals. AmeriCorps members will be provided with family visit activity outlines. 3.Site Supervisors may allow members to begin scheduling and conducting family visits after you have conducted family visit training.

22. Remember… Site supervisors and experienced AmeriCorps members are great resources for providing guidance and answering questions about family engagement. Please ensure that members also carefully read their Energy Express manuals before beginning service.

23. Questions