Are You Real? Fake? What's the Deal? Effective Parent Involvement Requires REALationships

Format

Individual Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

Christ Child Society, Inc.,

Second Presenter's Institution

Christ Child Society, Inc.,

Third Presenter's Institution

Christ Child Society, Inc.,

Fourth Presenter's Institution

na

Fifth Presenter's Institution

na

Strand #1

Family & Community

Strand #2

Social & Emotional Skills

Relevance

This proposal relates to NYAR Conference Strand V: “Home”: Family & Community as well as Strand II: Social & Emotional Skills. Christ Child Society Inc., DC operates a multifaceted empowerment program for girls ages 8- 18 and their families in the District of Columbia, Washington Highlands community which is identified as one of the dangerous communities to reside in the country, according to the FBI. The program incorporates enrichment activities, academic support and counseling services to empower girls to develop skills that will help them grow socially, emotionally and become strong, confident healthy young ladies. The program recognizes that the girls do not live in a vacuum in isolation of their parents. Moreover, the program recognize that in order to successful impact and enrich the lives of girls; positive relationships with the girls “home” which includes families, communities and schools must be developed and maintained. Supporting and nurturing a true partnership with parents is a critical component of the program. The program provides a holistic approach that embodies the entire family. It is the belief that by empowering families, girls are being empowered to become strong and confident. In a matter of 5 years the girls’ empowerment program has seen tremendous growth. The success of the program is based on the relationship and trust developed with the parents. Parents are seen as equal partners and value as advocates for the development of their daughters. Outcomes for parents who are involved in the program hits most if not all Strand V skills: Parental engagement in school; Parental involvement in student achievement or discipline prevention; Effective communication with parents; Parenting skills and support; Adult-Youth partnerships; Mentoring; Community programs, partnerships, or service projects; Internships; University partnerships; Faith-based initiatives; Social service programs.

Brief Program Description

This session is for administrators, teachers, counselors and social workers who are interested in developing true partnerships with parents in order to increase involvement and engagement in student achievement. Afterschool programs and schools are always looking for the “magic” activity that would guarantee interest and increase parental involvement; however often times, they overlook an important element which is how they are showing up in their relationship with parents. This session will challenge participants to look at their communication and relationship with parents, acknowledging their feelings about families and identifying how these feelings help or hinder their work with families. Participants will receive proven strategies and tools that will help them create true partnerships, gain parent support, and increase involvement.

Summary

The lack of parental involvement in student achievement and discipline prevention are a major concern for educators, social workers and other helping professionals; especially in high risk communities. “How do we get parents involved?” is a question most educational and afterschool program struggles with. Not only is it a major task to engage parents but keeping them connected is as equally challenging. Is there a resolution to this problem? The answer is yes. This interactive session will challenge participants to assess their approach when interacting with parents and ask the important question, “How are they showing up when working with parents?” What are their beliefs, feelings, fears and basis that are preventing a true and equal partnership to develop? How we feel about parents, communicate and the way we show up in the relationship can directly impact the outcome. It is believed that parents are highly motivated to attend events that involve free food and incentives. If you “feed” them they will come mentality does not yield true partnerships but temporarily meets the immediate need of the school or afterschool programs. These types of approaches does not motivate parents to become equal partners armed with skills and resources to effectively advocate for their child(ren), these approaches continues to handicap parents preventing them to be viewed as equal partners. This session will address how developing a meaningful and authentic relationship with parents creates a powerful partnership that achieves the desired outcome which is student success. The session will provide participants with tools and strategies used by the Christ Child Society girls empowerment program that successful engaged parents to become equal partners despite their circumstances. Participants will gain insight on how creating a healthy, positive relationship with parents impacts the entire family and community. Research shows that when families take an active interest in their child’s learning, students will have a positive attitude toward school and when children learn best when their parents play a variety of roles in their learning. Participants will receive feedback on their approach and receive affirming tools that will help them create the equal partnership and vibrant learning community they desire.

Evidence

The approach used was cognitive behavior therapy, solution focus, strengthen based, effective black parenting

Biographical Sketch

Ange Anglade is a Certified Life Coach, Parent Trainer and Licensed Graduate Social Worker, with management and program development skills. She has over 30 years of professional experience in creating and implementing health, wellness, family support and youth development programs from the ground-up. Her approach is systems theory, strength based, solution focus, family centered, holistic and positive youth development. She believes in the power of collaboration and partnership where she uses her talents to help organizations and/or individuals develop powerful programs that will meet the needs of women, children and families. Ange loves to mentor girls and their families combining her passion for health and wellness, along with her training in psychotherapy, emotional freedom technique, mindfulness, social and emotional learning to help them become the person they were born to be.

LaShaune Lee is a LICSW presently working with Christ Child Society as the Clinical Coordinator. Mrs. Lee provides clinical oversight and curriculum development to program participants and their families; as well as clinical field instruction to Masters Level Social Work students. Mrs. Lee has extensive experience working in the mental health field and effectively integrates communnity support and mental health services with the program.

Chanel Banks, MSW currently works with Christ Child Society as the Program Coordinator where she oversees the implementation of program evaluation models, quality assurance ensuring that the programs/services further the mission of program.

Keyword Descriptors

partnership, collaboration, parent and school relationships, working with the community, young girls, afterschool program, out of school time

Presentation Year

March 2018

Start Date

3-6-2018 8:30 AM

End Date

3-6-2018 10:15 AM

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Mar 6th, 8:30 AM Mar 6th, 10:15 AM

Are You Real? Fake? What's the Deal? Effective Parent Involvement Requires REALationships

This session is for administrators, teachers, counselors and social workers who are interested in developing true partnerships with parents in order to increase involvement and engagement in student achievement. Afterschool programs and schools are always looking for the “magic” activity that would guarantee interest and increase parental involvement; however often times, they overlook an important element which is how they are showing up in their relationship with parents. This session will challenge participants to look at their communication and relationship with parents, acknowledging their feelings about families and identifying how these feelings help or hinder their work with families. Participants will receive proven strategies and tools that will help them create true partnerships, gain parent support, and increase involvement.