Webinar: Family and Community Engagement 101: Maximizing Volunteers for School Health The Webinar will start shortly. Connect to audio using your computer s microphone and speaker OR dial in on your phone to the number in the webinar control box. Successful family and community engagement can: Support your existing school health initiatives Help your school do more with limited resources Build new connections between parents, school staff, students and in your community Increase access to new resources
Family and Community Engagement 101 Maximizing Volunteers for School Health November 16, 2017
Logistics Telephone or speakers Everyone is muted Submit a question This call is being recorded Link to recording and handouts will be sent out following the call
Who Are We? AFHK s vision is a world in which every kid is healthy, active and ready to learn.
Who Are We? Action for Healthy Kids works to mobilize school professionals, families and communities to take actions that lead to healthy eating, physical activity and healthier schools where kids thrive.
What We Do School Programs School Grants for Healthy Kids Trainings and Technical Assistance Parents for Healthy Kids Healthy School Heroes ActionforHealthyKids.org
The Learning Connection Create a Sense of Urgency The Learning Connection What You Need to Know to Ensure Your Kids are Healthy and Ready to Learn ActionforHealthyKids.org/Learning-Connection
Get Your Game On Game On supports America s schools, their staff, students, and families to incorporate healthy food choices and physical activity into their daily lives and school environment, with the ultimate goal of getting nationally recognized as a health-promoting school. http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/game-on
Game On Step 5: Engage Families & Community Step 6: Receive Recognition Step 1: Gather Your Team Step 5: Engage Families & Community Step 2: Assess & Track Progress Step 4: Find Activities Step 3: Create & Implement an Action Plan
Today s Presenter and Panelists Panelists: Sean Wade, Manager of Volunteer Initiatives Action for Healthy Kids Deborah Feinsinger, Allamanda Elementary, Palm Beach County, FL Becky Rinker, Deer Lakes School District, Gibsonia, PA
School-Family-Community School-Family-Community partnerships are one of three complementary elements required to make our work at Action for Healthy Kids successful.
Why Recess Matters
What We ll Cover Benefits of engaging family and community volunteers in advancing school wellness A 3-layer model for parent engagement Resources to help you implement a family and community engagement plan + Two success stories with tips from a school, district and parent perspective!
Engaging Volunteers Poll: How do you currently engage family and community volunteers? Organizing or helping with events Ongoing opportunities (e.g. recess coach, in classroom) Fundraising efforts School Health Team We don t currently engage family and community volunteers
Engaging Volunteers Value of volunteers Bring enhanced/expert knowledge base, valuable resources & skills New perspective & energy Lasting impact and contribution Free help & support Motivation of volunteers Personal benefits to volunteering Relational/social & availability Vested interest in the organization/cause The best way to find yourself is by losing yourself in the service of others. -Mahatma Gandhi
Engaging Volunteers Volunteer Success Recruit & involve key stakeholder groups Parents School community Local organizations/professionals Fulfil the need Ability to do more with limited resources Mindful of volunteer time and tasks Communication is key Build connections Value your volunteers! Ideas and resources on our website, and in Game On activities Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much Helen Keller
Identifying Stakeholders School Staff Community & Faith Based Organizations Local Business Owners Parents and Families Students Health Department Staff School Board Members
Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Family Engagement Component Families and school staff work together to support and improve the learning, development and health of students. Family engagement with schools is a shared responsibility of both school staff and families. School staff are committed to making families feel welcomed, engaging families in a variety of meaningful ways and sustaining family engagement. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/wscc/components.htm
Parent Engagement in School Wellness Inner Core Lead school wellness initiatives in community Middle Circle Participate in school wellness activities and events at school Outer Circle Support school and family health at home Lead initiatives
Inner Core Leading school wellness initiatives Serve on school health teams Participate in decision-making Train other parents and share information Become knowledgeable about school wellness policy and legislation Develop school wellness programs and lead projects Write health-related grants Lead initiatives Work with district leaders and community partners
Middle Circle Participating in school wellness activities at school Attend school wellness events (health fairs, fun runs, cooking classes) Volunteer for school wellness events or activities (school gardens, field trips) Participate in family challenge activities (30 day fitness challenges, screen-free week) Participate in healthy fundraising activities Provide healthy school snacks or refreshments for school events
Outer Circle Supporting school and family health at home Inform themselves about children s health issues Provide nutritious meals and opportunities for physical activity Restrict screen-time Participate in family health challenges Talk positively about school wellness efforts Model healthy behaviors
Questions for your Team Do you understand what your families value? Do you know what level of engagement parents are ready for? Are you using communications channels to reach parents at all levels? Are there parents on your team? Do they represent the diversity in your community? Do you share responsibility with them to identify needs and make decisions? Are you connecting with your PTA/PTO to support your initiatives? Are you connecting with community partners to reach parents?
Authentic Parent Engagement Building authentic relationships is a key strategy to help move parents and families to higher level of involvement!
Success Story Becky Rinker 2017 AFHK Healthy School Hero Deer Lakes School District Gibsonia, Pennsylvania
Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Community Involvement Component Community groups, organizations, and local businesses create partnerships with schools, share resources and volunteer to support student learning, development and health-related activities. Schools, students and their families can contribute to the community through service-learning opportunities and by sharing school facilities with community Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/wscc/components.htm
What Community Partners Can You Engage? Local businesses Universities and other institutions of higher education National and local volunteer organizations Family resource centers and social service agencies Hospitals and other health partners Parks and recreation departments Faith-based organizations and institutions
Step 5: Engage Families and Community How can Game On: Step 5 help? Strategies for engaging parents in school wellness initiatives, including Parents for Healthy Kids Tips for engaging community organizations and members Resources to host an Every Kid Healthy Week event www.parentsforhealthykids.org
Success Story Deborah Feinsinger 2017 AFHK Healthy School Hero Allamanda Elementary School Palm Beach County, Florida
Next Steps: Plan for Success As you prepare to host volunteers to meet your wellness goals, here are some steps to help you make a plan: Identify needs and set goals (http://cdn.volunteermatch.org/www/nonprofits/boomerbook/needsassessment.pdf) Brainstorm potential partners, go ask! Know your district volunteer policies (i.e. background checks, waivers, code of conduct) Ask 2 family or community members to be on your School Health Team Appreciate your volunteers and give them more opportunities to help!
Parent and Community Engagement Resources Beyond the Bake Sale The Essential Guide to Family-School Partnerships Anne T. Henderson, Karen L. Mapp, Vivian R. Johnson, and Don Davies. Parents for Healthy Schools. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, November, 2015. Includes A Guide for Getting Parents Involved from K-12, PowerPoint presentations, idea sheets, and check-in questions to track progress. www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/parentengagement/parentsforhealthyschools.htm Local School Wellness Policy Outreach Toolkit. USDA, November, 2016. Includes customizable letters, flyers, presentations, newsletter articles and social media posts to engage parents, school staff and community volunteers into your school wellness efforts. www.fns.usda.gov/tn/local-school-wellness-policy-outreach-toolkit
AFHK School Events Planning Resources School Events Planning Guide Tips and resources to help organize, manage and implement successful health and wellness based events Actionforhealthykids.org/School-Event-Planning-Toolkit
AFHK School Events Planning Resources Events and Volunteer Management Tool Post and manage health and wellness events, register attendees and recruit volunteers ActionforHealthyKids.org/support-healthy-kids/volunteer-for-healthy-kids
Every Kid Healthy Week Annual celebration of schools wellness achievements Effort to create nationwide momentum Recognized on the National Health Observances calendar Takes place last week of April each year Over 1,400 schools nationwide hosted Every Kid Healthy events in 2017 Every Kid Healthy Week Register your event : actionforhealthykids.org/every-kid-healthy-week
Parents for Healthy Kids Parent Leadership Webinars Making the Case for Healthy Schools How to Create a Healthier School Food Culture How to Add More Activity into the School Day YouTube Presentations Share Healthy Food and Activity at School Getting Healthy Together Four Easy Ways for Families to Improve Health and Well-being Tip Sheets: healthy snacks, fundraising, celebrations, rewards, recess, fitness breaks and more! ParentsforHealthyKids.org
Sustainability Get Nationally Recognized! Apply for the HealthierUS School Challenge: Smarter Lunchrooms Initiative Voluntary four-year certification initiative recognizing excellence in school nutrition and physical activity 4 Award Levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Gold Award of Distinction Benefits include: Building school spirit, supporting the Learning Connection, and enhancing the sustainability of your initiatives! Visit Game On Step 6 to learn more: http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/game-on/receive-recognition
Questions? Sean Wade swade@actionforhealthykids.org
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School Programs Tools and Resources Expert Partners Volunteer Opportunities School Grants ActionforHealthyKids.org