Center for Family Involvement

Partnership for People with Disabilities

 

The Family Engagement Network Workplan 2020

Purpose of FEN

The purpose of the Family Engagement Network, or FEN, is to foster family involvement and engagement in education, especially for children with disabilities.

We do this by assisting VDOE and each other in developing and implementing activities that:

  1. Encourages schools and families to recognize the importance of family engagement;
  2. Fosters family involvement and engagement in the education process; and
  3. Facilitates and promotes collaboration among VDOE, PRCS, T/TACs, and family-led and other organizations invested in promoting family engagement.

NEEDS

Virginia would benefit from one framework and/or a common set of guidelines as well as a plan for engaging ALL families in improving student achievement and outcomes.

STRATEGIES & IMPACTS

STRATEGIES

Community Support:

  • Map family leaders across Virginia as well as family-led organizations, groups, and initiatives
  • Explore examples of connections between PRCs and SEACS

Family Learning:

  • Develop a training on the Parent's Guide to Special Education
  • Establish a PRC Community of Practice that works across Virginia on similar family need topics and/or that sets up a portal of trainings for families and a speakers bureau for these trainings

LEA Education:

  • Develop educational opportunities for school staff on family engagement principles and practices (i.e., meeting families where they are) that promotes buy in from all (it is everyone's responsibility) - VCASE session
  • Explore Title I and VTSS family engagement frameworks and activities and how they relate to work by T/TACs and PRCs

Transition:

  • Expand information and resources on the special education family website (GMU) related to transition (e.g., Pre-Employment Transition Services)
  • Develop a 'critical decision points in transition' training

IMPACTS

  • There is a method/process for community mapping of family engagement and needs.
  • There is a statewide listing of programs, organizations and training that support family engagement activities.
  • There are projects and materials for educating professionals and families and promoting family engagement.
  • Family members and professionals collaborate effectively as evidenced by a comprehensive family engagement plan.

Organizational Roles

Virginia Department of Education: Funding and FEN Oversight
Center for Family Involvement @ VCU: Logistical Support, Meeting Facilitation and Best Practice Technical Assistance
FEN Members: Individual Commitment to, and Experience with, Family Engagement