Family Engagement
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Description: The National School Climate Center promotes safe, supportive learning environments that nurture social and emotional, civic, and academic growth for all students.
Description: As we continue to work with the repercussions of the pandemic, many students, teachers, and families, are still reeling. A sense of anxiety—social or otherwise—is fairly pervasive as we continue to reintegrate. To help reduce students' anxiety and your own, we've put together some ideas and resources focused on news literacy, media balance, and healthy communication. We hope they're helpful as you continue to navigate these challenging times. Talk about it Focus on the facts Build...
Description: Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment with openness and curiosity. It has a variety of research-backed impacts, including reduction in stress, and improvements in job satisfaction, emotional regulation, and focus. In the Mindful Schools community – educators, parents, and school community members – many of us are exploring mindfulness because we’re excited to share mindfulness...
Description: The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) is a trusted source for knowledge about high-quality, evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL). CASEL supports educators and policy leaders and enhances the experiences and outcomes for all PreK-12 students. Our work is critical at a time when educators, parents, students, and employers increasingly recognize the value of SEL. Together, we are united in our call for schools to educate the whole child, equipping...
Description: Blue Campaign is a national public awareness campaign, designed to educate the public, law enforcement and other industry partners to recognize the indicators of human trafficking, and how to appropriately respond to possible cases. Blue Campaign works closely with DHS Components to create general awareness training and materials for law enforcement and others to increase detection of human trafficking, and to identify victims. Located within the Office of Partnership and Engagement, Blue...
Description: NetSmartz is NCMEC's online safety education program. It provides age-appropriate videos and activities to help teach children be safer online with the goal of helping children to become more aware of potential online risks and empowering them to help prevent victimization by making safer choices on- and offline.
Description: These 20 Free Apps for Student Success cover the following topics: Productivity Campus Engagement Mental Health and Wellness Stress Management Support System Financial Creating Healthy Habits Study Support Some of these applications are only for use on desktops, while most are available on iPhones or Android products.
Description: Checklist for Kinship Caregivers Are you raising or providing primary care for a child or youth of a relative or family friend? This checklist is for kinship caregivers who are enrolling students and working with schools. Checklist for Schools Working with Kinship Caregivers Are you working with families of students living with extended family or relatives who are not their parents? This checklist is for school staff who work with kinship caregivers and clarifies key information for both the...
Description: Federal Resources for Stakeholders Who is the audience for these resources? OSEP stakeholders include, but are not limited to, children with disabilities and their families, educators, local and State educational agency staff, researchers, and policymakers. What is in included in the Federal Resources for Stakeholders section? Tool Kits In this section you can access the archived "Tool Kit on Universal Design for Learning (UDL)," the "Tool Kit on Teaching and Assessing Students with...
Description: CADRE's major emphasis is on encouraging the use of mediation, facilitation, and other collaborative processes as strategies for resolving disagreements between parents and schools about children's educational programs and support services. CADRE supports parents, educators, administrators, attorneys and advocates to benefit from the full continuum of dispute resolution options that can prevent and resolve conflict and ultimately lead to informed partnerships that focus on results for...
Description: This series of videos features six key elements to engage families in Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports (VTSS). Designed for use by educators and families, the three videos highlight specific strategies for school teams to consider as they build momentum around family-school partnerships and strengthen skills to meaningfully engage families in multi-tiered systems. Produced by Formed Families Forward, family partner to the VTSS project, in conjunction with Atom Stream Communications, LLC.
Description: NAFSCE is the first membership association focused solely on advancing family, school, and community engagement (FSCE). NAFSCE endorses the family engagement definition developed in 2010 by the National Family, School and Community Engagement Working Group (now the NAFSCE Policy Council). Family engagement is a shared responsibility in which schools and other community agencies and organizations are committed to reaching out to engage families in meaningful ways and in which families are...
Description: The Parent and Educator Guide to School Climate Resources (Guide) is intended to provide parents, teachers, administrators, and other interested parties with a general understanding of school climate, school climate improvement activities, and the availability of additional resources. It should serve as a starting point from which the reader may choose to do further research; ultimately, it may result in the identification of practices or strategies a school, district or State may wish to...
Description: Educators, policymakers, researchers and families agree: a high-quality preschool program can build early literacy and math skills, as well as develop the social and emotional foundation that children need to persist in school. But young children—whether in Head Start, public pre-kindergarten or in a private program—only receive the full effect of these benefits if they show up for class regularly. How do you go about improving attendance in the preschool years? It starts with...
Description: 9 Steps to Respite Care for Grandfamilies will help you have a better understanding of the resources that are available, what you can expect and how to select a high-quality service that best meets the needs of your family. This fact sheet outlines nine simple steps to help you assess your own needs, identify the different types of respite, and provide information on how to find and pay for services. The information provided will also help you plan and make the most of your...
Description: 11 Easy Tips to Really Engage with Families - Numerous studies confirm that actively engaged families play a major role in improving academic and behavior outcomes for their students. It's time to stop simply involving families and start really engaging them. Barrier #1: Conflicts with Family Life Logistics Every family comes with its own set of logistics – other kids, work schedules, dinner routines. Every logistic represents a possible conflict that makes getting to the...
Description: This paper begins with a challenge, namely: How do we work with families and communities to co-create the next generation of family and community engagement, providing equitable learning pathways—both in and out of school and from birth to young adulthood—that will enable all children to be successful in the 21st century? Exploring what it takes to meet this challenge, the document looks at what we have learned over the past 50 years of research and policy as well as the need for...
Description: Kids grow fast, don’t they? And early intervention is designed for children from birth up to age three. At that point, services under EI end. If the child will need continued support once he or she moves on to preschool, it’s very important to plan ahead so that the transition is smooth. The resources below will help you do just that.
Description: Autism Speaks provides a sampling of the large range products and services our community often inquires about relating to safety, from seat belt harnesses, to wearable identification items, and smart technology. This list is not intended to be all inclusive and they do not endorse any individual product. Alert Me Bands AMBER Alert GPS Angel Guard AngelSense Autism ID Card Autism Safety Initiative AWAARE: Autism Wandering Awareness Alerts Response and Education Collaboration BE SAFE The...
Description: These standards offer a framework for how families, schools, and communities should work together to support student success. Family Engagement (Virginia PTA) When families and schools work together, students succeed. Engaging families in order to create a collaborative partnership between families and schools is at the core of our PTA work, it's even in the name of our association! Through family events, programs, advocacy and community outreach efforts, PTAs across the country are...
Description: How can you make the most of parent-teacher conferences? Planning ahead can help you walk into your next meeting with confidence. Start by exploring these tips, conversation starters, and worksheets.
Description: This is a post by Kimberlee Rutan McCafferty, mother to two sons on the autism spectrum and an Autism Family Partner at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Summer vacation is ending all too fast, and before we know it those bright yellow school busses will be darting through our neighborhoods and a new school year will commence. Moving to a different classroom, grade, or school can be stressful for any child; for those on the autism spectrum, handling anxiety about the...
Description: Aligning and Integrating Family Engagement in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Concepts and Strategies for Families and Schools in Key Contexts includes the following chapters: Enhancing Progress for Meaningful Family Engagement in all Aspects of Positive BehavioralInterventions and Supports (PBIS) and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Family Engagement Foundations: Supporting Children and Families Engaging Families Through School-Wide Positive Behavior Support: Building...
Description: This research brief describes current approaches and highlights findings from recent studies with preschool children (ages 3-5) that document both the promise and challenge of effectively engaging families and children at risk for poor school readiness. We focus in particular on effective parent engagement models that improve school readiness outcomes in well-controlled studies. Systematic approaches and next generation research are recommended to improve the impact of parent engagement programs...
Description: The Virginia Department of Education is the administrative agency for the commonwealth’s public schools. VDOE works in partnership with Virginia’s 132 school divisions to support and improve teaching and learning, set high expectations for all students, and promote student safety, wellbeing, and health.
Description: The Local School Divisions Foster Care Liaisons is a listing of the contact information (email address and phone numbers) for school divisions in Virginia.
Description: This video shows how siblings of people with disabilities have a wide range of experiences and emotions that impact them in different ways. There are personal stories of insight, appreciation and pride as well as examples of embarassment and fear/worry.
Description: One Voice is the Official Blog of National PTA. A powerful voice for all children, PTA launched this blog as another platform for our leadership, ambassadors, staff and members to share the work they do on behalf of all children. You’ll read about dynamic programs happening at the local level, commentary on news and issues impacting the everyday realities of children, as well as live action from our conventions and events. More importantly, we welcome your comments. Actually we need your...
Description: By reviewing research and identifying case examples of teachers who do an excellent job engaging families, Flamboyan Foundation has developed a rubric that can provide educators with a clear vision for family engagement, help teachers plan more effectively, assist with the development of effective teacher professional development, and serve as a tool for teachers to self-assess and reflect on their practice.
Description: The School Community Network (SCN) provides resources, training, and tools to build strong school communities focused on student learning. SCN is sponsored by the Academic Development Institute (ADI), a not-for-profit organization located in Lincoln, Illinois. SCN's work draws from ADI's over 30 years of experience and extensive research in family and community engagement. What is a School Community? A school community consists of the people intimately attached to a school - students, their...
Description: Family Voices is a national family-led organization promoting quality health care for all children and youth with special health care needs. Working with family leaders and professional partners at the local, state, regional, and national levels since 1992, Family Voices has brought a respected family perspective to improving health care programs and policies and ensuring that health care systems include, listen to, and honor the voices of families.
Description: Based on existing research and best practices, the Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family-School Partnerships (Version 2) is designed to support the development of family engagement strategies, policies, and programs. It is not a blueprint for engagement initiatives, which must be designed to fit the particular contexts in which they are carried out. Instead, the Framework should be seen as a compass, laying out the goals and conditions necessary to chart a path toward effective family...
Description: In the U.S., schools and families work together closely to help children succeed. For example, you can contact your child’s teacher if you have questions, or you may be invited to events at the school. These resources describe how you can build a relationship with your child's school.
Description: Despite the important and life-long roles they will play in the lives of their siblings who have special needs, even the most family-friendly agencies often overlook brothers and sisters. These brothers and sisters will be in the lives of family members with special needs longer than anyone. Brothers and sisters will be there after parents are gone and special education services are a distant memory. If they are provided with support and information, they can help their sibs live dignified lives...
Description: The learning objectives are: Describe effective practices for developing trusting family-professional partnerships in early care and education programs. Use a decision-making process to select partnership-oriented practices linked to (a) developing an initial friendly relationship, (b) making shared decisions, and (c) developing a trusting partnership with families to address challenging issues.
Description: Since 1950, MDA has spearheaded efforts to transform the lives of people with muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related neuromuscular diseases. They fund groundbreaking research for promising treatments and provide families with the highest quality care from the best doctors in the country. Families are at the heart of MDA's mission. A caring and concerned group of families started MDA in 1950, and we continue to relentlessly pursue our promise to free families from the life-threatening effects of...
Description: The Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER) Center and the National Endowment for Financial Education® (NEFE®) collaborated on this publication. Through it you will find ways to create a sense of order in your life and maintain control over your finances as you care for your child and prepare him or her for adulthood.
Description: The Center for Family Involvement at the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University partners with the Virginia departments of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS), Education (VDOE) and Health (VDH), the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (AOD), and others in supporting a variety of activities to strengthen family involvement. OUR MISSION The Center for Family Involvement works with...
Description: Exceptional Parent Magazine provides information, resources and inspirational stories for families of individuals (from infancy to elderly) with disabilities and special healthcare needs, and the education and medical professionals who care for them. Exceptional Parent (EP) Magazine disseminates information through its monthly print and digital magazine, monthly newsletter, and social media posts: Facebook (Exceptional ParentMag), twitter.com/epmzine and Instagram (epmzine)....