Issues affecting children. Milestones in child and family development.

GOAL: Development of a parent group, begin understanding of when and
how a community cares for children.

What do we look like now? What will Americans look like in the future?
What are the strengths of separateness and integration?

GOAL: To acquire knowledge regarding diversity, ethnic, class and
race differences.

A look at change within our own experience. The tools we can use to
change the environment.

GOAL: To understand what creates change within self, family and community.

How do our own experiences in family life influence our notion of the right
to be a parent leader? What is our own self-image?

GOAL: To help parents perceive themselves as change agents and to
understand obstacles to leadership.

A look at community needs from the parent perspective.

GOAL: To begin working through problems with developed strategy and
conflict resolution skills.

What are forms of communication and why do they matter? Active Listening
and constructive ways to make a point.

GOAL: To understand the importance of using language to create a framework and
express viewpoints.

How to use and maximize community resources. Who has the resource information?
How do community meetings work?

GOAL: To begin mapping communities with increased understanding of
assets, resources and communication flow.

Who makes the decisions in the city, in the schools, at the library?
How do policies develop?

GOAL: To increase awareness of the structure of local institutions and
systems through attention to budget, policy and communication.

How to think about who should become part of the change effort. How to
expand your partners.

GOAL: To further access goals for children and enable partners to reach goals.

How to use social media and traditional media. Parents as messengers for children.

GOAL: To increase understanding of all forms of media, how they work
and how to access them.

How to speak publicly. How to present public statements with success.

GOAL: To bolster confidence, self awareness and the impact of self presentation.

How does the life cycle of the child intersect with the life cycle of the family
and family functions?

GOAL: A beginning understanding of family function, family structure and
child development.

How to understand the demographic, economic and social trends. What are the assets
and needs of children and families in our region?

GOAL: An understanding of social, economic and demographic factors impacting child
health, learning, safety and care-giving.

A look at the role of government in democracy, the meaning of policy, types of policy
and how policy happens.

GOAL: An understanding of public policy as a vehicle for democracy, citizen input and
change for children.

A look at state government – structure, communications, resources, policy
impact and governance.

GOAL: An understanding of how government can be utilized by citizens
to effect dialogue and change for the public good.

A look at town and city structures, policies and resources.

GOAL: An understanding of how parents can interface with elected officials,
city departments and school boards to communicate and effect change for children.

An overview of children’s law to assess the impact of state and federal code in
protecting and enhancing the lives of children.

GOAL: Demystification of law, with increased comfort reading children’s law.

From Wallets to State – It’s all Money and Priorities
An introduction to budget design and analysis within state, city and schools.

GOAL: Increased comfort level with fiscal analysis of children’s policy and programs.

An overview of goals in policy and program to improve outcomes and public
accountability. What is an outcome measure, a benchmark, a result?

GOAL: A beginning understanding of benchmarks and longitudinal tools.

Forging new alliances and expanding partnerships to create broad impact for children.

GOAL: An increased understanding of the dynamics of policy change, coalition-
building and social climate.

How to design initiatives: how to clarify goal, purpose, outcomes with vigor, art and
impact.

GOAL: Improved understanding of media and language and its impact; and the
connection between language and clarity of goal and constituency.