5 ways to strengthen family engagement skills

1. Strong family-program relationships begins with authentic engagement.

• Take time to learn about each family’s culture, home language, or family composition

• Recognize changes in family circumstances or community circumstances

• Design a welcoming environment (table decorations, ice-breakers, music)

2. Respect the diverse family systems, dynamics, cultural and economic factors shape the lives of families.

• Understand how and why we engage both Mothers, Fathers and other family members

• Acknowledge real and perceived barriers that prevent family engagement

• Connect with small groups by hosting Men-Only Gatherings, coffee for grandparents, study groups for teen parents

• Target non-parental family members and caregivers

• Create social capital and build a community of families

3. Relationship-based approaches should include communication strategies, reflective listening, perspective taking and cultural competency.

• Communicate early and often

• Use the means of communication preferred by the family

• Be willing to reasonably accommodate their needs

• Involve everyone in building relationships

• Work with families by asking about their own learning needs.

4. Build positive, ongoing interactions and relationships with families and communities by ensuring your work reflects:

• Respectful attitudes toward families

• Authentic knowledge about families

• Relationship-based partnerships with families

• Cultural and linguistically responsiveness toward families

5. Develop your team, and develop partnerships to help you work alongside your families. Consider these essential questions when engaging families for their voice:

• How might we work with diverse populations, and understand the unique needs of families from priority populations?

• How does staff acknowledge diversity of families?

• What unintended cultural barriers do you see for your families?

• In what ways is our program family-focused?