LET’S TALK FAMILIES: KEEPING IT REAL Middle Grades Counselor Conference March 2009

1. LET’S TALK FAMILIES: KEEPING IT REAL Middle Grades Counselor Conference March 2009

2. “Let's Talk Families: Keeping it Real" This interactive session will share proven strategies to engage families as student advocates and middle school leaders. Curriculum and resources will be available to develop model family projects in Your Community! Presenters: Shelley Davis, Director California GEAR UP Marsha King, Director Family Initiatives Project

3. “FAMILIES MATTER” “Of all the rocks upon which we build our lives, we are reminded today that family is the most important.” ~ President Obama

4. Students and Families: College Is Their Goal Nationally… 94% of Students and 96% of Families In California… Families who Expect their Students to attain at least a four-year degree: 80% of Latino Parents 86% of African American Parents 90% of Asian Parents

5. Our Students and Families: In California… Increase of 2.2 million students since 1980 Over 37.0% of all Families are Not Fluent English Speakers Over 50% of all students eligible for free and reduced-price meals Only a 16.8% increase in per pupil spending in 19 years

6. PROJECT HISTORY • In 2002 California GEAR UP and the Parent Institute for Quality Education collaborated to increase the attendance, participation and engagement of English speaking families at California GEAR UP schools and events, particularly African American families. • Project research included: parent surveys, interviews, focus groups, and one-on-one conversations to design the project to be responsive to the issues and concerns of the families, schools and communities. • 10 pilot schools were selected for “Family Initiatives Project” services, primarily based on the percentage of African American student enrollment.

7. The FIP curriculum was based on a review of proven practices and data from the Parent Institute and other programs. The curriculum incorporates creative strategies to attract and motivate families to: • Address real problems and issues; • Incorporate open-ended questions and learning activities; • Understand the basic attributes of school performance; • Support the physical, mental, emotional and social needs of ALL students. • In 2008 GEAR UP partnered with California State University, Sacramento to provide conditional acceptance certificates to student participants in the project. • Aggressive outreach, marketing and community volunteers have been critical to project success.

8. OUTCOMES Increase knowledge and awareness in working with diverse and at-risk populations with an emphasis on African American families; Create and implement outreach strategies to promote and support family, school and community partnerships; Learn to utilize best practices for maximum family participation in the home, school and community.

9. The California GEAR UP Family Initiatives Project (FIP)

10. FAMILY INITIATIVES PROJECT • Brings together families, schools and communities as equal partners in the education process. • Family gatherings provide information, resources and tools to support families as advocates for their students. • Services are based on recommendations from GEAR UP school leadership teams and the unique contributions of each school community. • When possible, facilitators and volunteers are recruited from the school community and trained by California GEAR UP. • Increase knowledge and awareness in working with diverse and at-risk populations with an emphasis on African American families; • Create and implement outreach strategies to promote and support family, school and community partnerships; • Learn to utilize best practices for maximum family participation in the home, school and community.

11. Family Initiatives Project Topics Five Week Sessions: • Understanding the Middle School years • Family Dynamics and Positive Communication • How to motivate your child academically • How the School System Functions • Road to The University/Celebration

12. Family University Weekend Family Gathering • Understanding the middle school years and positive communication • Steps to follow and available resources about college attendance • Families make a difference • Celebration and next steps

13. FAMILIES: Do you really… Know Them? To better understand why families may not be involved and how to get them involved: Who? What? Where? How?

14. REAL CHALLENGES FOR FAMILIES • Poverty • Community Violence • Physical, Emotional, and Sexual Abuse • Alcohol and Substance Abuse • Divorce • Single Parenting / Foster homes • Mental Illness • Lack of or Sporadic Employment • Negative police environment

15. ROLE OF FAMILY, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY Understanding Obstacles Shared Responsibility Overcoming Obstacles

16. SHAREDRESPONSIBILITY • FAMILIES - ACTIVELY Involved • SCHOOLS– WILLING to better understand families and community • COMMUNITIES – UNDERSTAND and serve the needs of Families and support the efforts of local schools

17. UNDERSTANDING OBSTACLES A DISCONNECT BETWEEN ADULTS Role is not validated Lack understanding about conditions of families, community Lack sense of responsibility for ALL children

18. OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

19. OUTREACH & MARKETING Outreach– The systemic attempt to provide services beyond conventional limits, as to particular segments of a community. (simply reaching out): an educational outreach to adults who have disconnected from the value of their role in the educational lives of their children Marketing – seeks to make the best match between use of its resources and the needs of families, school and the community it serves – exactly as in any commercial operation

20. Promoting a Family Gathering CREATE THE BUZZ… • Principal invitation to families • Additional postcard to African American families • Phone calls to families • Principal generated automated calls to all families • Principal invites Feeder schools • Counselors invite target families • Students invite families (for extra credit) • Club advisors and organizations invite member’s families (AVID, athletic clubs, band, after school programs, etc.) • Student involvement (create and distribute posters and flyers) • Promote event at other school events (sports games, open house) • Signage-Banner, Marquee • Announcements (Newsletter, calendar, website)

21. IDEAS FOR REACHING FAMILIES “It Takes A Village…” • MOBILIZE the community to support Family Gatherings • MAKE THE CONNECTION: Address family survival needs and community challenges • PROVIDE INCENTIVES: Food, prizes, childcare, transportation • TAKE TO THE STREETS:Neighborhood centers, churches, community organizations, businesses (Announcements, fliers posters, booth sign-ups) • MAKE IT PERSONAL: Phone calls, home visits • SPREAD THE WORD: PSA, Newspaper, TV program broadcasts, recruit local DJ to adopt cause

22. Relevant, Current Creative, Entertaining Curriculum Give participants a Voice Be Flexible Let them personalize Make them want to share it Be Credible Do it right and make family involvement a way of life! ENGAGE, EDUCATE & EMPOWER….

23. THINK ABOUT IT… • Based on Your school demographics: How do you achieve family participation? • Based on Your school demographics: How do you get the word out? • Based on Your school demographics: How do you encourage whole school involvement?

24. “HE WHO LEARNS, TEACHES” MAKE MEMORIES...CAPTURE KODAK MOMENTS!

25. THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK WE DO IS WITH FAMILIES… The future and strength of our economy, democracy and society as a whole depends on our ability to educate EVERY child well and to prepare them to take control of our society.

26. RESOURCES www.castategearup.org

27. GEAR UP RESOURCES FOR YOU Family Initiatives Project: Tips for Engaging Families Sign up today for our mailing list www.castategearup.org GEAR UP video: “Kids on Campus: A Journey that Changes Lives” California Colleges & Universities: The Complete Pocket Guide California GEAR UP Resources and Materials Clearinghouse Link to “The Counselor Connection” (916) 551-1757