1. Walking the talk: race equity & parent leadership
Change logo
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2. 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)

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. January 2018: First Race Equity & Parent Leadership Convening

7. barriers
Examples of barriers families encounter when accessing services

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 4/27/2016
MANIFESTO: Making the connection between race equity, parent leadership and child outcomes
Cailin

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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?

19. 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
A recording of This webinar will soon be available at
Webinar participants will receive an with links to:
Manifesto for race equity & parent leadership
Ripples of transformation toolkit: families leading change in early childhood systems

20. Additional resources & upcoming webinar
Parent engagement & Leadership assessment
ApriL strengthening families webinar will focus on parent engagement & leadership assessment
Register here:
Link to register will be included in follow-up as well

21. 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!

22. Thank you!