ASP-PS 10: Family Connections

Interpretation: Examples of ways to demonstrate implementation of this standard include, but are not limited to:

• Personnel and family members greet one another by name;
• Personnel use friendly voices, expressions, and gestures;
• Personnel and family members are relaxed and not abrupt with each other;
• Personnel and family members show interest in each other’s lives;
• Respect is shown to all without bias;
• Personnel communicate with families in a variety of ways;
• Personnel recognize that some cultures like direct communication, while others prefer indirect; and
• Personnel do not talk about confidential matters in front of children and youth or other adults.

Interpretation: Appropriate family involvement may vary based upon the characteristics of program participants. For example, while programs serving younger children may encourage family members to participate in daily activities, it may be more appropriate for programs serving older youth to involve family members by seeking their collaboration on an ongoing basis and inviting them to recognition ceremonies or milestone events. Although family involvement may sometimes be difficult to achieve, at a minimum family members should have opportunities and be encouraged to become involved with the program.

Interpretation: Examples of ways to demonstrate implementation of this standard include, but are not limited to:

• Personnel welcome families to the program whenever they visit;
• When possible, personnel interact with visiting family members;
• Personnel use newsletters and phone calls to remind family members that they are welcome to drop in;
• Personnel set aside time to tell new families all about the program;
• When a child or youth moves into a different part of the program (e.g., the summer program or a specialized program), personnel meet with families to discuss the change;
• Each family gets a copy of written policies, including the program’s hours of operation, fees, subsidies, illness policy, etc.;
• Personnel send home notices and newsletters about program activities and events;
• Personnel follow up written notices with phone calls or personal contact;
• There is a bulletin board that displays information for families;
• Personnel ask families to comment on the program via notes, surveys, and meetings;
• The program’s advisory group includes a number of parents;
• Personnel urge families to share their skills, hobbies, or family traditions;
• Personnel invite family members to special events (e.g., plays, field trips, picnics);
• Personnel respect different cultural styles and try a variety of ways to involve families;
• The program arranges transportation for special events and meetings; and
• The program asks families what hours and days they need care for their children, and makes a reasonable effort to provide care when families need it.

Interpretation: Examples of ways to demonstrate implementation of this standard include, but are not limited to:

• Parents or guardians answer questions about a child’s or youth’s background and history;
• Families keep personnel informed of any major changes at home or at school;
• Personnel inform families in writing about injuries, accidents, illnesses, etc.;
• Personnel are happy to speak with parents or guardians about their children’s experiences in the program;
• Personnel and families meet to discuss children’s and youths’ behavior, health, friendships, accomplishments, etc.;
• Personnel and families discuss any concerns about a child’s or youth’s development, and children and youth are often included in these discussions;
• The program arranges for experts to speak on a variety of topics (e.g., nutrition, child development, conflict resolution, etc.) and families are invited to attend these sessions;
• Personnel help parents form groups to discuss topics of interest to families;
• Personnel and families meet to define policies for handling sensitive topics (e.g., violence, racism, sexuality, substance use, etc.);
• Personnel inform families about available opportunities and resources (e.g., childcare subsidies, medical, counseling, and career services);
• Bulletin boards and newsletters contain information about upcoming community events (e.g., free dental screenings, fire-prevention seminars, and parenting classes); and
• When needed, personnel are able to refer families to local agencies (e.g., health clinics, food programs, counseling services, language classes, crisis intervention, etc.).

Interpretation: Examples of ways to demonstrate implementation of this standard include, but are not limited to:

• Family members can easily find children and youth and their possessions; and
• Conversations with family members do not take away from children and youth or their activities.