Assess Your Efforts

How are families involved in the planning and decision-making process in your program or organization?*

Families have opportunities to provide suggestions and feedback through conversations with staff, through surveys, and other informal methods.

Families are invited to participate in organizational planning meetings and/or provide feedback to plans before they are finalized.

Families have dedicated positions in the organization’s leadership team, they are involved in all phases of planning and decision-making, and their input is valued at the same level as administrators.

Infrastructure

What compensation policies are in place to support family leadership?*

There are policies to support child care. Food and transportation supports are sometimes available.

There is a combination of policies to support child care, food, transportation - OR - compensation.

There are comprehensive policies to support child care, food, transportation - AND - equitable compensation.

Family Supports

What does diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging (DEIB) and/or social justice training look like at your organization?*

Basic DEIB training for all staff.

Training for staff and parent leaders that addresses DEIB, social justice, and avoiding tokenism.

A comprehensive training strategy around DEIB, social justice, and avoiding tokenism. Multiple levels of training and resources are provided for parents and staff in different roles.

Equity

What opportunities for civic engagement training are available for your family leaders?*

We (or our partner) provide parents with basic information about civic engagement that is relevant to them (e.g. voter registration, legislative process).

We (or our partner) offer focused training on civic engagement for parents engaged in leadership activities.

We (or our partner) offer focused training and ongoing education on civic engagement and advocacy for all parents and staff.

community

As a staff person, what conditions are you most likely to encounter as you try to build family leadership at your organization?*

You’ll need to do it informally since this work is not included in official staff time allocations or job descriptions. It may be combined with other family leadership efforts.

Staff members are assigned family leadership responsibilities with some staff time dedicated to this work.

One or more full-time staff members are dedicated to family leadership work.

infrastructure

How do you ensure your family leaders develop and sustain their involvement in family leadership efforts over time?*

We recognize the value of family leaders staying involved in family leadership initiatives. Our alumni family leaders connect with and support new leaders occasionally through an informal process.

We have some focused strategies in place to support peer-to-peer family leadership connections and continue to seek resources to expand this effort.

In collaboration with family leaders, we have developed a network of peer support and alumni connections, that may include paid mentor positions to support family leadership initiatives.

community

What mental health supports are available for your family leaders and/or those who support them?*

We offer referral support for parents seeking mental health services.

We offer session-limited mental health consultation services in addition to referral support for longer-term services.

We offer individual and group mental health services directly or in collaboration with other community organizations.

family supports

What situation most closely describes how your program tracks progress around family leadership?*

Staff completes a basic self-assessment at least every 5 years. Family leadership may be addressed as part of family engagement.

A team of staff and parents completes a self-assessment at least every 2 years.

A team of staff and parents completes a detailed self-assessment at least every 2 years that includes goal setting and action planning. A staff person is responsible for implementing plans.

infrastructure

How does your organization approach communication with families across different languages, formats and abilities?*

We translate some key materials into languages spoken most often by our target audience.

We have accessibility and messaging guidelines in place. Most of our materials are translated.

We have clear systems for accessibility and translation. All materials are translated and follow accessibility guidelines. Staff receive accessibility training. Parents help develop and review our materials.

equity

How are parents supported to attain paid jobs within your organization?*

We share internal job postings with parents and encourage them to apply.

In addition to sharing internal job postings, we offer parents regularly scheduled job training to prepare them for staff positions.

We have a system for recruiting, training and employing parents. We support their ongoing professional development and advancement.

equity

How would you describe the community, state, or national partnerships connected to your family leadership efforts?*

We partner with at least one community, state, or national organization, initiative, or group focused on family leadership.

We partner with several community, state, or national family leadership groups. Staff and parents participate in partnership events and activities, and have built a network with other individuals committed to the same work.

We have a high level of engagement in community, state, and national groups and initiatives related to family leadership. Staff and parents from our organization provide training and technical assistance to others and serve on related boards and/or committees.

community

When parents need to travel for program-related events, how accurate is this statement for your organization? “We make funds available ahead of travel, communicate clear and respectful expectations around use of funds, and streamline expense tracking as much as possible.”*

Somewhat true.

Mostly true.

Completely true.

family supports

ASSESS

Your Family Leadership Efforts

Quiz