Rethinking Barriers to Partnerships with Families
Systemic change begins when adults come together as a community, with young people at the center. By intentionally building strong relationships with parenting adults, educators, out-of-school time staff, and mentors can work together to ensure every young person feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
We understand that there are often barriers to effectively engaging with families—transportation, employment and childcare are just a few. By naming and exploring historical, cultural, and institutional barriers, we can more effectively navigate the challenges of family engagement—and arrive where we want to be: a partnership with families based on trust and a mutual desire to help young people thrive.
Learning Objectives
- Reflect on our attitudes and beliefs about families in our work.
- Identify the barriers they experience.
- Practice strategies and tools to connect with families.
Outcomes
Participants will leave with a better understanding of the mindsets that can shape their approach to engaging with parenting adults, the barriers that get in the way, and several strategies that enable more effective family engagement.
Who should attend?
Youth-serving practitioners, managers and leaders.
Delivery Method
Virtual or In-Person
90 minutes
Make Your Case
Professional Learning Request Template
To support your professional growth, we’re providing a helpful template you can use to request approval to attend Search Institute’s professional learning experiences. This template makes it easy to communicate the value of research-based strategies for building developmental relationships, engaging families, and promoting positive youth development—and how these skills can directly benefit your work and organization.
Additional Professional Learning Opportunities
Engaging Families: A Relationship-Centered Approach
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All Families Have Strengths
Shift to a strength-based approach in your work with parenting adults, and work together to help young people thrive.
It Takes Each of Us: Cultivating Developmental Relationships
Develop your approach to developmental relationships by reflecting on mindsets, actions and growth areas, while planning next steps to build developmental relationships within your specific context to promote youth thriving.
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