SOME THINGS WE HOPE YOU LEARNED OR ALREADY KNEW ABOUT PARENT LEADERSHIP

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SOME THINGS WE HOPE YOU LEARNED OR ALREADY KNEW
ABOUT PARENT LEADERSHIP

• Parent leadership will look different in
  different organizations and will look different
  in the same organization over time.

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• Bringing or building parent leadership into your
  organization is an evolutionary process

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Not always easy, not always welcome, but ALWAYS
eventful!
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What parent leadership brings to a program

• Improves the quality of programs, services and
  the community itself
• Increases responsiveness of service providers
• Provides a reality check
• Shares responsibility
• Builds an advocacy base

• Increases understanding of cultures
• Brings fresh and creative solutions
• Increases visibility and respect for program in
  the community
• Improves the ability to accomplish the mission of
  the program

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In order for parent leadership to succeed, two
things are required

• 1 An organization that recognizes and
  embraces parent participation.

• 2 Parents who are clear about what parent
  leadership is, and supported as they develop and
  practice the skills necessary.

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Just what IS a parent leadership-friendly
organization, anyway?

• One that invites parents to bring their skills
  and knowledge to the table and assume meaningful
  roles in
• Decision-making
• Planning
• Implementing and monitoring

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Common agency fears that hinder parent
leadership

• Have to dumb down our work for parents to
  understand.
• Parents will be disruptive and have axes to
  grind.
• Parents will need too many concessions to
  function.

• Other agencies will not accept parent input as
  valid.
• Confidentiality and sensitive issues will be
  compromised.
• No place for parents in our hierarchical system.

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Common parent fears

• I wont fit in.
• They wont value my input.
• Nothing will change.

• How can I arrange for child care, transportation?
• What is expected from me?
• What do they really want from me?

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Take one step at a time

• Analyze whats needed and develop the resources
  to support or increase parent involvement
• Finances
• Technology
• Site/time of meetings
• Parent-friendly office and staff

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Typical roles for parent leaders

• Board and task force membership
• Needs assessments and outcomes evaluation design
• Curriculum development
• Reviewing material
• Trainings

• Fundraising
• Mentorship
• Advocacy
• Working with the media authentic voices
• Legislative clout
• Program review
• Sharing skills

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Have a rough idea of what parents can
contribute, then give them the opportunity to
tell you what THEY see their roles as being!
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Where to find parent leaders?

• Your own agencies and programs
• Parent-led mutual self-help support groups
• Faith-based institutions
• Head Start and Healthy Families programs
• Cooperative Extension, 4-H
• Community sports programs
• Scouting programs
• Co-ops

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How do these programs develop parent leadership?

• Support
• Training
• Mentoring
• Role-models
• Career ladders
• Opportunity to practice emerging skills

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Give parents a clear idea of your expectations,
and what your organization will provide for
them

• - Interview and select parent volunteers with the
  same process and care you would use with any
  other volunteer.
• - Provide a written job description -- and
  spell out job perks.
• - Have a formal system for supervision and
  support.
• - Offer opportunities for parent volunteers to
  support each other.

• - Encourage parents to estimate the impact the
  work will have on their lives in areas like
• - time
• - money
• - role conflicts
• - confidentiality
• GIVE THEM THE CHANCE TO SAY NO GRACEFULLY

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PROVIDE PARENTS WITH

• Plenty of positive feedback.
• Recognition formal and informal.
• Help to assess their strengths and challenges.
• Opportunities for skill- and knowledge-building.
• Access to community resources to help them
  develop their talents.
• A clear message when its not working out.

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Provide a career ladder for parents within your
organization

• Recognize parents for their achievements.
• Ask them to mentor newer parent volunteers.
• Constantly look for opportunities in your agency
  for parent input.
• Look beyond your agency into the community, the
  state and the nation.

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Sources to learn more about developing parent
leadership

• Circle of Parents
• circleofparents.org
• Family Support America
• familysupportamerica.org
• Parents Anonymous
• parentsanonymous.org