Our Services
FAMILY CENTERED-COACHING
Family-Centered Coaching empowers staff with the knowledge, resources, and skills to work with families holistically towards financial wellness.
This approach recognizes that equity is integral to the process of coaching as well as a necessary outcome to work towards.
By equipping families with the capacity building to understand the barriers that poverty and systemic racism may have on families’ lives, they can better support families with solutions to address barriers and manage stress and trauma.
Whole Family Approach
We adopt a whole-family approach to supporting families.
The Whole Family Approach is a comprehensive method designed to support and improve the well-being of entire families by addressing their needs collectively rather than individually.
This approach integrates services and supports across various domains to create a holistic improvement in the family’s quality of life.
WHOLE FAMILY APPROACH:
Core Principles of the Whole-Family Approach
A. Family-Centered Services: Emphasis on the family unit as a whole and Inclusion of all family members in the planning and implementation process.
B. Strength-Based Approach: Identifying and building on family strengths and resources, Empowerment and capacity-building.
C. Collaborative and Integrated Services: Coordination among various service providers and multi-disciplinary teamwork.
D. Culturally Competent Practices: Respect for cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity and tailoring services to meet cultural needs.
Key Components:
A. Economic Stability: Employment and job training the financial education and planning as well of Access to benefits and resources.
B. Education and Child Development: Early childhood education programs, Support for school-aged children and Parental education and involvement in schooling.
C. Health and Well-Being: Physical and mental health services along with nutrition and fitness programs, as well as substance abuse prevention and treatment.
D. Housing and Safety: Access to safe and affordable housing. Domestic violence prevention and intervention and community safety initiatives.
OUR PROCESS
We begin with a Family Needs Assessment :
- Conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine the needs and strengths of the family
- Develop individualized family plans and coordinate / partner effectively among service providers and agencies
- On-going support by following up, monitoring the progress and supporting families
- Leverage community partnerships & stakeholders to support and empower families.
COMMUNITY SCHOOL MODEL
We partner with schools to implement the community school model. This model empowers students, staff, families and communities to articulate a roadmap for schools and communities to co-create a plan that addresses the unique priorities and vision of the local community. This collaborative approach has led to transformational outcomes across the country.
The Community School Model represents a comprehensive approach to education that goes beyond traditional academics to address the full spectrum of student needs. By integrating services, expanding learning opportunities, engaging families, and fostering community partnerships, community schools create supportive environments that promote student success and well-being.
This model not only enhances educational outcomes but also strengthens families and builds healthier, more resilient communities. Community schools serve as hubs that bring together various stakeholders, including educators, parents, community organizations, and local businesses, to provide a comprehensive and supportive environment for students and their families.
WE CAN SUPPORT YOU WITH THE INTEGRATION OF ONE OR MORE COMPONENTS OF THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL MODEL:
Integrated Student Supports
Health and Social Services: Access to medical, dental, mental health, and social services directly at the school or through partnerships with local providers.
Nutritional Programs: Provision of healthy meals and snacks, often including breakfast and after-school meals.
Counseling and Mentoring: Emotional and psychological support through counseling services and mentorship programs.
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Family Capacity Building: Workshops, classes, and resources that help parents support their children’s education and development
Community Partnerships: Collaboration with local businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies to provide resources and services.
Volunteer Program: Engagement of community members as volunteers to support school activities and programs.
HIGHLIGHTED AREAS OF THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL MODEL.
Health and Social Services Integration
Community schools address the holistic needs of students by providing or coordinating access to health and social services. This includes:
On-Site Clinics: Offering medical, dental, and mental health services within the school.
Social Work Services: Providing support for families dealing with issues such as housing instability, food insecurity, and mental health challenges.
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT
Engaging families as partners in education is a cornerstone of the community school model. Key initiatives include:
Family Resource Centers: Spaces within the school where parents can access information, attend workshops, and receive support.
Adult Education Classes: Offering classes in areas such as literacy, language skills, and job training to empower parents and improve family outcomes.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION
Building strong partnerships with community organizations enhances the resources available to students and families:
Business and Industry Collaboration: Partnerships with local businesses to provide internships, apprenticeships, and job shadowing opportunities for students.
Nonprofit Organizations: Collaboration with nonprofits to offer specialized programs and services, such as mental health counseling or after-school activities.
LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
Effective leadership and collaborative governance structures ensure that the community school model is responsive to the needs of students and families.
Community School Coordinators: Dedicated staff members who manage partnerships, coordinate services, and ensure alignment with school goals.
Advisory Councils: Groups composed of parents, community members, and school staff who provide input and guidance on school initiatives and policies.
EARLY MATH
We provide training/coaching for early childhood educators and families on practical and research-based activities that families can do at home and at school to support students’ early math development.
Early math and family math are crucial components in a child’s educational development, laying the foundation for future academic success and everyday problem-solving skills. Early exposure to math concepts such as numbers, shapes, patterns, and measurements helps children develop critical thinking and cognitive abilities. Family involvement in math learning enhances this foundation by creating a supportive and engaging environment where math is integrated into daily activities.
Key concepts that families need to understand include counting and cardinality, recognizing and creating patterns, basic arithmetic operations, and spatial reasoning. By incorporating math into playtime, routines, and conversations, families can demystify math and make it a fun and relatable subject, fostering a positive attitude and confidence in children toward math from an early age.
This early and continuous engagement with math at home sets the stage for lifelong learning and curiosity, ensuring children are well-prepared for the more complex mathematical concepts they will encounter in school.
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT MICRO-CREDENTIAL
We have partnered with the Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Network to offer this FACE micro-credential for our field.
A Family Engagement Micro-Credential is a specialized certification designed for educators, administrators, and other school staff to develop and demonstrate their skills in effectively engaging families in the educational process. This credential focuses on equipping individuals with the knowledge, strategies, and competencies needed to foster strong, collaborative relationships with families, thereby enhancing student outcomes and building a supportive school community.
BENEFITS OF THE MICRO-CREDENTIAL
Enhanced Skills and Knowledge: Participants gain a deep understanding of effective family engagement practices and how to implement them.
Professional Growth: The credential provides recognition of expertise in family engagement, supporting career advancement and professional development..
Improved Student Outcomes: By fostering stronger family-school partnerships, educators can positively impact student achievement, attendance, and overall well-being.
Strengthened School Community: Effective family engagement leads to a more cohesive, supportive, and involved school community, benefiting all stakeholders.
This micro-credential is a valuable tool for educators and school staff committed to creating a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive educational environment that leverages the strengths and contributions of families to enhance student success.
KEY COMPETENCIES FOR MASTERY
Building strong partnerships with community organizations enhances the resources available to students and families:
Building Trusting Relationships with Families
Effective Communication: Demonstrating the ability to communicate clearly, respectfully, and empathetically with families, using various methods (e.g., face-to-face, phone, email, social media).
Cultural Competence: Understanding and valuing the cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic diversity of families, and using this knowledge to build trust and rapport.
Active Listening: Practicing active listening techniques to understand families’ perspectives, concerns, and aspirations for their children.
Creating Inclusive School Environments
Welcoming Atmosphere: Developing strategies to create a welcoming and inclusive school environment that makes all families feel valued and respected.
Inclusive Practices: Implementing practices that ensure all families, regardless of background or circumstances, are included in school activities and decision-making processes.
Supporting Family Empowerment
Resource Sharing: Identifying and sharing resources and opportunities that empower families to support their children’s learning and development.
Capacity Building: Providing training and workshops to help families develop skills and knowledge that enhance their ability to contribute to their child’s education.
Collaborative Goal Setting
Partnership Development: Collaborating with families to set shared goals for student achievement and well-being, ensuring that these goals are realistic and attainable.
Action Planning: Co-creating action plans with families that outline steps, responsibilities, and timelines for achieving shared goals.
Utilizing Data to Enhance Family Engagement
Data Literacy: Understanding and using data to inform family engagement strategies and practices, ensuring that interventions are targeted and effective.
Feedback Mechanisms: Establishing systems for collecting and incorporating family feedback into school policies and practices, ensuring continuous improvement.
Advocacy and Leadership
Program Development: Designing and implementing family engagement programs that are sustainable and adaptable to changing needs.
Evaluation and Reflection: Continuously evaluating family engagement efforts, reflecting on successes and challenges, and making necessary adjustments to improve outcomes.
Sustaining Family Engagement
Family Advocacy: Supporting families in advocating for their children’s needs and rights within the school and the broader educational system.
Leadership Skills: Demonstrating leadership in promoting and sustaining effective family engagement practices within the school community.