Champaign Unit 4 Parent Advocacy Committee Update

Champaign Unit 4Parent 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 2013-2014 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 2013-2014 • 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 2013-2014 • 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 resources • 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 2010-2011 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 2013-2014 • 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 http://unit4parentadvocacycommittee.weebly.com/

Champaign Unit 4 Parent Advocacy Committee Update