Home > Supporting & Preserving Families > Family Support Services > Introduction to Family Support > Parent Perspectives & Leadership

Parent Perspectives & Leadership

A core principle of family support services is an emphasis on partnership between professionals and families. Effective family support services involve parents in program design, implementation, and evaluation, and assist parents in meeting goals that are important to them. Programs should be based in ecological and family systems theory and engage parents by taking into consideration individual characteristics of the parent and family, provider attributes, program components, and neighborhood characteristics.

From Many Voices: Consensus: What America Needs for Strong Families and Communities
Family Support America (2001)
View Abstract
Presents a consensus statement regarding key issues in strengthening families and communities derived from a family support conference.

Hope in the Face of Adversity: The Perspective of Low-Income American Parents on the Challenges of Parenting (PDF - 171 KB)
Casey Family Programs (2003)
Findings of a focus group study undertaken to identify the types of assistance families need.

Incorporating Parental Goals in Parenting Programs Through Collaborative Relationships with Parents
Fox
Journal of Extension, 43(1), 2005
Details evidence of the influence of goals on parenting practices and provides suggestions for incorporating parent goals into parenting programs.

Parent Involvement in Family Support Programs: An Integrated Theory
McCurdy & Daro
Family Relations, 50(2), 2001
View Abstract
A conceptual model of parental involvement in family support programs, anchored in ecological and family systems frameworks.

	Related Information Gateway Topics Family-centered practice: Family & youth involvement

Updated on December 7, 2007