The goal of CFSP Advisory Council is to establish a stable forum for families and stakeholders to communicate ideas, share expertise and link resources to elevate family engagement practice and policy in Connecticut. Parents/Family represent more than half of the Advisory Council membership. Other members represent educators, school administrators, community agencies, the private sector, Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), and other state leaders.
MEMBERSHIP
ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS (Click to view)
| Alicia Thompson | Christine Ruman | Gaby De Sousa | Judy Carson* | Mary Lou Molloy | Rebecca Adams Rieder |
| Amy Yarbrough | Craig Cook | Jamie Bowen | Kerry Lentz | Maxine Nugent | Regan Allan |
| Anjali Illecas | Dana Little | Janine McMahon | Kevin Booker | Melvette Hill | Rich Mutts |
| Anne Henderson | David Scata | Jeffrey Wiltsee | Kim DePierto | Nia Austin | Robin Drago |
| Betsy LeBorious | Debra Nickischer | Jennifer Benevento | Kwasi Ntem-Mensah | Nikki Hurse | Sandra Ferreria-Molina |
| Brianna Beckstrand | Diana Planas | Jerome Roberts | Lauren Castagnola | Octavia Moore* | Valerian Parillon |
| Camille Smith | Donna Marino* | Jim Gaudreau | Leslie Escobales | Patrice McCarthy | Vijayalakshmi Sivasankar |
| Caroline Austin | Elena Trustworthy | Joyce Bosco | Linda Briceeno-Ziegler | Quentin Phipps | Yukio Ildo* |
| Carolyn Cricco | Francisco Baires | Jozii Ruiz | Mariam Yeung | Rachel Ferrari* | *Executive Committee |
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & INNOVATIVE WORK GROUPS (IWG)
The CFSP Executive Committee and Innovative Work Groups identify and develop plans for programming and professional development to meet the need of families and schools to elevate equity practice and family engagement statewide. The Innovative Work Groups offer Advisory Council members an opportunity to network, learn from others, and contribute ideas. These work groups include sub-committees dedicated to Communications, Links to Learning, and Parent Leadership/Dual Capacity.
Executive Committee
The CFSP Executive Advisory Committee provides leadership to the Advisory Council by convening quarterly meetings, acting as ambassadors for family engagement, making recommendations, advocating, and seeking partnerships to sustain enhanced family engagement policy and practice statewide. Members include two Co-Chairs (one parent, one stakeholder), one secretary, three members of the Innovative Work Groups, and one national representative.
Communications (IWG)
Productive, respectful, and responsive dialogue is foundational to building trusting relationships among families, schools, and community partners. The goal of the Communications Innovative Work Group is to work in collaboration to identify a communication need and develop a plan of action. Potential areas to consider are a CFSP website communication plan, resources for families about home learning, family engagement ambassadors, and parent-led training.
Links to Learning (IWG)
Students gain emotionally, socially, and academically when there are strong connections between home and school. The goal of the Innovate Links to Learning Innovative Work Group is to work in collaboration to identify a process, plan, or activity to establish opportunities for families and schools to share learning outcomes (hope and dreams) for students. Potential areas to consider are Parent -Teacher Home Visiting Programs, Parent-Teacher Compacts, Student Lead Conferences, Welcoming Schools, Parent-led School Orientation, and programming that supports ELL Families.
Parent Leadership/Dual Capacity (IWG)
Building the capacity of families through leadership and advocacy to improve educational outcomes for all students is a priority for the CFSP Grant. The goal of the Parent Leadership/Dual Capacity Innovative Work Group is to work in collaboration to identify, create, or expand leadership opportunities that promote an equal voice for families. Potential areas to consider are collaborating with current parent leadership training in CT, parent cafés, parent ambassador programming, equity training for families, and building a narrative that focuses on family strengths.
UPCOMING EVENTS & REGISTRATION
MEETINGS & RECORDINGS
Advisory Council Orientation & IWG Meeting, 9/23/20
Advisory Council Meeting, 10/22/20