Walking the talk: race equity & parent leadership Change logo Flip photo

Who you’ll hear from today Lisa Melara, parent leader, boston ec-linc community Anthony queen, parent representative, grand rapids ec-linc community Stephanie doyle, senior associate, center for the study of social policy (cssp) Melia franklin, consultant, family engagement & leadership Erin Robinson, policy analyst, center for the study of social policy (cssp)

ICEBREAKER WHAT DOES EQUITY MEAN TO YOU? Feel free to share answers in the chat box

Today’s presentation: What’s the mutual benefit of engaging parents as partners and leaders in early childhood systems? What’s the connection between race equity and authentic family engagement? What changes do we need to make to remove barriers to families who want to engage with systems? We are best teachers for our children We as parents want the best program that meets their needs

Introducing the EC-LINC Parent Leader Network! A space for parents in EC-LINC communities to: Representatives: Anthony Queen, Kent County, MI Lisa Melara, Boston, MA

January 2018: First Race Equity & Parent Leadership Convening

barriers Examples of barriers families encounter when accessing services

Let’s Look at the Barriers What causes the barrier? People Structures Systems What’s the common thread? Knowledge Power Privilege What role does race/racism play? One of the main barriers is systematic, from the forms to the pictures on the wall. Every place that I went to would have 30 pictures on the wall and not one would be of a dad or a dad. I would choose equity over diversity. If you give people what they need, you’re answering a want or need that they have Diversity is not moving the needle – it might make the agency feel good, but it is not doing anything for the family

What is “Parent Engagement”? Home Visit First Teacher Play Group Participant Classroom Helper Volunteer Peer Educator Partner Decision-maker Leader Key Influencer Advocate Empowered parents: Are equal partners Have choices and agency Can see how they make a difference. Empowering agencies: Are family-centered Create leadership pathways Work to eliminate structural barriers. Parent engagement is really including a parent in the course of action that an agency is offering. Use the pathway to talk about own experience

What Do We Change First? Our individual beliefs, attitudes and behaviors? Our agency’s structures, policies and norms? The systems themselves? Individuals are going to believe what they are going to believe Change agencies first, then systems.

4/27/2016 MANIFESTO: Making the connection between race equity, parent leadership and child outcomes Cailin

The Manifesto’s 5 Commitments for Change 4/27/2016 The Manifesto’s 5 Commitments for Change The Manifesto challenges early childhood systems & agencies to increase equitable outcomes through adoption of the 5 Commitments: Challenge Racism Embrace Parent Leadership Prioritize resources Create Career Pathways Maximize Equitable Resources.

The Manifesto’s 5 Commitments for Change 4/27/2016 The Manifesto’s 5 Commitments for Change Staff and leaders must: Enhance capacity and skills to challenge racism and bias Provide a welcoming and respectful environment for families. ACTION EXAMPLE: Ensure workforce is committed to race equity & parent leadership & have the needed knowledge, skills & support.

The Manifesto’s 5 Commitments for Change 4/27/2016 The Manifesto’s 5 Commitments for Change Agencies and systems leaders must create radical shifts in the way parents are seen and included. ACTION EXAMPLE: Support parents to plan and implement ideas, programs and policies and create their own initiatives.

The Manifesto’s 5 Commitments for Change 4/27/2016 The Manifesto’s 5 Commitments for Change Agencies and systems must prioritize the funding, time and resources to make parent engagement strategies effective over time ACTION EXAMPLE: Provide ongoing funding for parent engagement, leadership development, and family-centered operations.

The Manifesto’s 5 Commitments for Change 4/27/2016 The Manifesto’s 5 Commitments for Change To better reflect the families and communities served and expand their opportunities, agencies and systems must create career pathways for parents to enter the early childhood workforce. ACTION EXAMPLE: Create paid positions for parents to become peer educators, system navigators, developmental screeners, etc.

The Manifesto’s 5 Commitments for Change 4/27/2016 The Manifesto’s 5 Commitments for Change To maximize equitable outcomes for children and families, agencies and systems must align operations with this goal. ACTION EXAMPLE: Improve collaboration across community, agencies and systems.

Your Turn How could the Manifesto guide action on family engagement? 5 Commitments: What is already in process? Where is change most needed? What do you feel most passionate about?

Questions & Next Steps Q&A Time Type any questions in the chat box IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION YOU DON’T WANT TO ASK ON THE WEBINAR, PLEASE EMAIL ERIN.ROBINSON@CSSP.ORG A recording of This webinar will soon be available at www.cssp.org Webinar participants will receive an email with links to: Manifesto for race equity & parent leadership Ripples of transformation toolkit: families leading change in early childhood systems

Additional resources & upcoming webinar Parent engagement & Leadership assessment ApriL strengthening families webinar will focus on parent engagement & leadership assessment Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/847543734548884 5837 Link to register will be included in follow-up email as well

What Action Will YOU Take? It might get a little messy! You can’t do it all at once! But do something! Accept that you will make mistakes. Learn from them!

Thank you!