REGIONAL PARENT ENGAGEMENT PROJECT UPDATE 2013/2014

Introduction “By adopting a shared language across a system, professionals across all sectors and organizations will be able to work together effectively to plan and organize services…." Ministry of Children and Youth Services (2011). Defining Integration: A Best Start Working Paper. MYCS: Toronto.

What we set out to do Develop a commonly understood and accepted definition of parent engagement Develop a regional parent engagement strategy with required local variations Identify shared training resources Develop parent engagement training tool kit(s) for training tables

What we set out to do Develop community specific plans for each planning table Develop parent engagement training tool kit(s) for training tables It is our intention to shape the way parent/caregiver outreach and engagement is understood and carried out across the southeast region

Action Research Process January 14th: Symposium in Kingston January 15th: Symposium in Frankville Purpose: To identify critical components of a shared understanding and common definition of parent engagement in South East Ontario Confirmed preference for FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

Action Research Process January 28th, 2014: Follow-up mtg in Kingston Small group of symposia participants met to review and discuss themes generated at each symposium; and confirm priority content for “common understanding of family engagement”

Shared definition… common understanding Common Ideas Philosophy: Speaks to beliefs and values Respectful Strength-based Mindful of expertise of families Inclusive Accessible Collaborative

Common Ideas Practice: Speaks to our behaviour and actions Clear communication Opportunity to learn On a continuum Constantly changing Crosses all sectors Different from youth engagement

Planning Table Guidance Each planning table assigned responsibility for project management to existing committee or project-specific work group Thanks to Gillian, Gwendy, Marci, Shannon! February 2014: Reviewed common ideas statements and overview of consultant’s report

Where we are now Parent Engagement Family Engagement Shared definition Common understanding Common ideas Each planning table will use common ideas to inform own understanding or definition of family engagement

Where are we going? Generate and approve understanding of family engagement for EKIOC Planning Framework If this is our understanding of FE, what is our ROLE? Should EKIOC: Engage directly with families? Support and promote family engagement among member agencies by providing resources, information and training?

What’s next The final report due end of March 2014 Asked to direct priority attn to: Discussion of examples, options and ways to engage families at planning table level Readiness Assessments and concrete tools to support parent engagement: planning tables; organizations Promising practices for planning tables Recommendations and next steps for planning tables, collectively (report) and individually (covering letter)