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Parent Ambassadors Program Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP
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O verview of Parent Ambassadors Program Parent Ambassadors is a year long leadership and advocacy program for Head Start and ECEAP parents in Washington State The goal is to develop parent leaders, to advocate for their children and themselves - “Transforming Families, Policy and Communities” Each year approximately 20 parents with children enrolled in Head Start and ECEAP are selected through an application process We will be implementing our 8 th year of the program in 2016
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Key Objectives To train how to effectively educate, advocate and influence policy makers, lawmakers and agency leaders To give parents a voice at key policy making tables To empower parents with new skills, confidence and knowledge to navigate systems and create change To support parents so they can educate, train, and mobilize parents in their local communities To secure real and measurable victories for parents, children and families To give parents the skills/confidence to move toward self-sufficiency
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Program Infrastructure Parent Coordinators – Mentoring and support Parent Ambassadors and program coordination. Parent Coordinators are all Parent Ambassadors Alumni. Program Director - Direct and manages the program, provides training, mentoring and support of Parent Coordinators and Parent Ambassadors. WSA Executive and Deputy Directors – provide opportunity, coaching and WSA as the parent organization provides infrastructure. Each Parent Ambassador has some support from their local Early Head Start, Head Start/ECEAP program.
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Training Attend a minimum of 150 hours of face to face trainings during a program year Training consists of the legislative process, communicating with policy and lawmakers, how to give effective testimony, knowing your audience and ways to develop grassroots mobilization. Leadership training focuses on team building, conflict resolution, negotiation and presentation skills. We access top level speakers including lawmakers, campaign consultants, and leadership coaches in addition to PA Staff.
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Communication Ambassadors get together via conference call at a minimum of twice a month Ambassadors receive regular mentoring support from the Parent coordinators. Ambassadors receive email updates from WSA about what is happening with state and federal legislation We are also very active on FACEBOOK and social media We publish a newsletter that Ambassadors can use in their local communities
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Parent Ambassador Alumni Parent Ambassadors graduate after one year and then stay engaged through a less formal Alumni network Parent Ambassador Alumni continue to support the new Parent Ambassadors through a variety of ways including local networking when living in the same communities and through social networking Parent Ambassador Alumni are often engaged in current policy concerns and issues
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