Champaign Unit 4 Parent Advocacy Committee Update Cheryl Camacho & Tony Howard April 22, 2013

Purpose/Goals By the end of March 2013, to have a set of thoroughly explored/researched committee recommendations relating to parent advocacy initiatives for Champaign Unit 4 to engage for the school year For the Parent Advocacy Committee to represent/engage a variety of stakeholders relevant to the topic

Parent Advocacy- Definition Providing RESOURCES Strengthening COMMUNICATION EMPOWERING parents Giving VOICE Honoring DIVERSITY

Desired Reality Standard & systemic response for dealing with parent complaints across schools Systemic approach to informing and explaining to parents how and why certain decisions are made regarding their students’ education Systemic approach to engaging and empowering parents to be a part of discussions when decisions are made Providing parents with a list of district resources and who they can contact over different areas Connecting parents with each other Strong culture of trust

Proposed Model Parent advocacy/empowerment center staffed with people to assist parents in any way possible A partnership between Unit 4 schools and a community agency with extensive experience and resources Parent mentor program Parent Mentor Model/SPED State Advocacy Model- Innovative advocacy

Proposed Initiatives Parent-Parent Mentoring Program ◦ Providing Resources ◦ Strengthening Communication ◦ Empowering Parents ◦ Giving Voice ◦ Honoring Diversity Parent-Teacher-Administrator Home Visit Project ◦ Strengthening Communication ◦ Giving Voice Parent Workshops ◦ Providing Resources ◦ Strengthening Communication ◦ Empowering Parents

Proposed Initiatives Collaborative Conversation on School Communication Practices ◦ Strengthening Communication ◦ Honoring Diversity Parent Support Group (Special Education) ◦ Providing Resources ◦ Empowering parents ◦ Giving Voice Parent and Educator Partnership (Special Education) ◦ Providing Resources ◦ Strengthening Communication ◦ Honoring Diversity

Parent-Parent Mentor Program Provides a network and structured way for parents in Unit 4 to leverage their own experiences and knowledge to help and connect with other parents who have experienced similar circumstances. ◦ Recently arrived in the United States ◦ Child with an IEP or 504 plan ◦ Child with discipline concerns ◦ Child with academic concerns

Parent-Teacher-Administrator Home Visit Project The Parent/Teacher Home Visit Project began in 1998 with the Sacramento Unified School District in an effort to move beyond the ‘culture of blame’ between the school district and families. ◦ Increase family engagement ◦ Build trust and respect between all stakeholders ◦ Encourage cultural competency

Parent Workshops These workshops will be responsive to the desires and needs of Unit 4 families and parents. ◦ The needs assessments that the committee gathered in Spring 2013 will be utilized to target topics of interest; barriers to access will be identified and considered ◦ Community agencies will be contacted to provide resources and information on topics of interest ◦ Logistics will consider the barriers identified to ensure high levels of attendance and participation

Special Education Initiatives: Parent and Educator Partnership The Parent and Educator Partnership (PEP) is a federal grant- funded program through ISBE. The mission of the PEP “is to facilitate partnerships, equipping parents and educators to be equal partners in the success of each child.” Services include: ◦ Providing a Call-in Center for parents of students with disabilities to assist with understanding their role and rights described in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ◦ Providing Individualized Education Program (IEP) Frequently Asked Questions page and other web-based resourcesFrequently Asked Questionsresources ◦ Developing and supporting Parent Leadership in collaboration with the local school district ◦ Assisting the local school district with implementing and sustaining authentic partnerships practices with families and the community that impact student learning.

Special Education Initiatives: Parent Support Group The Special Education Department has formerly used a parent support group model with varying levels of success. The Parent Involvement Network (PIN) was facilitated by a private consultant during the school year. The PIN held four meetings that year; parent attendance ranged from six to 15 at meetings. The Special Education Department would like to help facilitate a parent support group again.

School Practices Parent communication practices (school level) were consistently highlighted during our needs assessments as areas to focus improvement. Collaborative review (following the transitions model) of the following: ◦ School-Parent Communication  Student achievement information and updates  Discipline infraction information and next steps  School events and information

Family Information Center & Parent Liaisons (use our current infrastructure) Will be provided with information to share with incoming/visiting families regarding parent workshops and the parent mentor program Will be invited to collaborate in planning sessions regarding both initiatives Will be invited to collaborate in the school practices conversation at a K-12 principal’s meeting

Parent Advocacy Committee Create a district parent survey to be administered each year (or use existing parent survey data) Analyze and disaggregate the survey information to identify ongoing needs and areas of strength Further plan and evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed initiatives Examine and make recommendations on the support provided to teen parents (Unit 4 Students)

For Additional Information: Parent Advocacy Website