Hand in Hand… Together we can Creating engaging Partnerships Fort Worth Museum of Science and History And Fort Worth Independent School District

Partnership between Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and Fort Worth ISD O Identify and initiate partnerships with businesses and community organizations O Navigate challenges O Engage the community in academic, social and cultural education of homeless students and families O Share the rewards of the partnership

The Vision…How it began O Museum Trustee identified a need in the community to support the homeless families in Fort Worth O Museum team began by visiting area shelters O Museum was made aware of the Fort Worth ISD O.P.E.N. Doors program O Initial brainstorming meeting between the Museum team and O.P.E.N. Doors team

The Vision…How it began O Identified needs of O.P.E.N. Doors program O Identified Museum programs that could support O.P.E.N. Doors needs O Discussed possible collaborations and partnership O Identified mission of the partnership O Set regular meetings and committee members

What is the mission of the partnership? O Foster attitudinal changes of students and families toward the community and school O Encourage academic success O Increase social awareness O Create multi-cultural experiences O Promote community involvement and goodwill

Best Practices and Challenges O Consider the whole family O Create positive opportunities for all Challenges O Communication O Low attendance O Measures of program growth

Conclusion What can you do? O Tell your story O Identify possible community partners that could support your needs O Create a working committee O Identify action steps O Develop implementation strategies