Brief Overview of Standard: Engaging and building strong partnerships with families fosters a child’s learning and development both in and out of the child’s home. It is critical for programs to involve families in authentic opportunities to promote quality experiences and environments for children.
Informational Resources
Strengthening Families Program Self-Assessment
Selecting a Family Support and Strengthening Program Assessment Tool: An Overview for Program Leaders and Funders - Center for the Study of Social Policy
Strengthening Families: Self-Assessment for Center-Based Early Care and Education Programs
Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Interactive Framework
The Office of Head Start (OHS) PFCE Framework is a road map for progress. It assists Head Start programs in achieving the kinds of outcomes that lead to positive and enduring change for children and families. The Framework is a research-based approach that shows how a program can work together across systems and service areas to promote PFCE and children's learning and development.
Guidance for Community Engagement Strategies for Early Childhood Programs PDF
This guidance was created to support center-based programs in developing community engagement strategies that help families stay connected to their local community, build family voice, and encourage collaboration with others to improve early childhood services and community issues. The general framework is comprised of three strategies: Community Systems, Community Organizing, and Community Outreach.
Strengthening Families Initiative
Strengthening Families is a framework of five research-based Protective Factors that give parents what they need to parent effectively, even under stress:
For adults:
- Parental resilience
- Social connections for families
- Knowledge of parenting and child development
- Concrete support in time of need
For children:
- Healthy social and emotional development