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Our Approach
Key Points to Remember
Steps for Success
To start a family engagement program in your community, begin by talking to other community agencies who may have similar goals. Ask how these programs started. Look to your state's education agencies. For us, this was the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services.
Steps for Success
Key Points to Remember
Steps for Success
1) Identify a starting point for the vision of your program.
2) Attend local education agency meetings to get to know the other people in your community with similar goals and interests.
3) Find a space.
4) Plan an activity.
5) Implement your activity.
6) Collect data.
7) Analyze your findings.
8) Reflect on findings.
9) Plan a new activity.
Key Points to Remember
Key Points to Remember
Key Points to Remember
- Focus on building relationships: Prioritize creating a sense of trust and connection with families.
- Empower families: Provide opportunities for families to take ownership and contribute to the community.
- Be inclusive and accessible: Consider the needs of diverse families and ensure programs are accessible to all.
- Celebrate successes: Reco
- Focus on building relationships: Prioritize creating a sense of trust and connection with families.
- Empower families: Provide opportunities for families to take ownership and contribute to the community.
- Be inclusive and accessible: Consider the needs of diverse families and ensure programs are accessible to all.
- Celebrate successes: Recognize and appreciate family involvement and contributions to the community.
Starting An Early Childhood Family Engagement Program
1. Define Purpose & Goals
- Clarify why you are creating the program (e.g., increase family participation, support child development, improve school–home communication).
- Align goals with child outcomes, school readiness, or community needs.
2. Understand Your Families
- Gather input through surveys, focus groups, or informal conversations.
- Consider diverse needs: language, culture, work schedules, and accessibility.
- Identify at-risk, early intervention, and special education needs.
3. Build Partnerships
- Involve families as co-planners, not just participants.
- Collaborate with community partners (libraries, health providers, local nonprofits).
- Ensure educators and staff buy-in through training and shared vision.
4. Design Activities & Services
- Offer a mix of workshops, interactive events, and at-home activities.
- Make activities developmentally appropriate for early childhood.
- Provide resources on literacy, social-emotional skills, and school readiness.
5. Provide Professional Learning
- Train teachers/staff on culturally responsive family engagement.
- Offer individualized coaching on working with at-risk populations and children with special needs.
6. Plan for Communication
- Use multiple channels (newsletters, texts, apps, in-person check-ins).
- Ensure materials are accessible in families’ home languages.
7. Pilot & Adjust
- Start small with one or two initiatives.
- Collect feedback from families and staff.
- Adjust based on participation, effectiveness, and family input.
8. Evaluate & Sustain
- Measure outcomes (e.g., attendance, feedback, child progress).
- Share success stories with stakeholders.
- Secure funding (grants, partnerships, donations) for long-term sustainability.
What Makes a Good Community Partner?
What Makes a Good Community Partner?
What Makes a Good Community Partner?
TBD
How to Find Funding
What Makes a Good Community Partner?
What Makes a Good Community Partner?
TBD
How to Create an Advisory Board
What Makes a Good Community Partner?
How to Create an Advisory Board
TBD
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