A common refrain throughout our Future Ready Collier conversations has been: if parents only knew about… If they only knew the timing of their 4-year old’s physical would impact Kindergarten registration when the child turned five. If only they knew that completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), was the key for accessing all financial aid and scholarships- regardless of family income. If only…
We have identified parent engagement as the common link- regardless of the age of the child. And then, after learning about Strengthening Families, a nationally recognized framework that builds on the strengths in families, rather than the gaps, we have realized that building parent-to-parent relationships and information-sharing will significantly impact their children.
As a result, we are working with Be Strong Families in Illinois to bring the tools of this framework to Collier County. Thanks to the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, we will have this opportunity for a one-time investment in our capacity as a community.
Starting soon: Future Ready Collier Parent Cafes!
