| What is the Parent Leadership Network? |
| The Parent Leadership Network is a unique online community for parents all across the country to connect with one another and talk about ways to develop and expand their leadership skills and opportunities. It is also an important resource for others, such as staff, community members, professionals, and policymakers, who currently work with or are interested in working with Parent Leaders in shared leadership. The Parent Leadership Network was created by parents serving on the National Parent Leadership Team® of Parents Anonymous® Inc. Parents Anonymous® Inc. is the host of the Parent Leadership Network and the National Parent Leadership Team® members will provide ongoing leadership and direction to all aspects of the Network operations. Members of the Team will also function as moderators and take responsibility for posting all information shared on this online community. |
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| Who Can Join the Parent Leadership Network? |
| If you are a Parent Leader, the Parent Leadership Network offers you a valuable forum to discuss and present your ideas, share resources and comment on others' ideas relating to parent leadership and shared leadership. If you are a staff member, community member, professional, or policy maker, and are interested in working with Parent Leaders, you can obtain input and learn new shared leadership strategies directly from Parent Leaders and other staff in order to better meet the needs of families in your community. |
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| How do I become a Member? |
| Membership in the Parent Leadership Network is free and open to Parent Leaders and those who work in shared leadership with Parent Leaders or who want to learn more about shared leadership. It's easy to join the Parent Leadership Network. Just complete the Registration Form and agree to the guidelines. All your information will be confidential. |
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| What is Shared Leadership? |
| Shared leadership is successfully achieved when parents, program staff and community members build effective partnerships and share responsibility, expertise and leadership in any areas that affect families and communities. |
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| Who is a Parent Leader? |
| Parent Leaders are parents who have addressed the challenges of parenting, gained the knowledge and skills to function in meaningful leadership roles and represent a “parent voice” to help shape the direction of their families, programs and communities. For example, a Parent Leader may be a PTA member, serve on a community task force or board of directors or provide testimony to the school board or other important planning body. |
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| Where Can I Get Training on Shared Leadership and Parent Leadership? |
| Parents Anonymous® Inc. has an effective training model, Shared Leadership in Action . The Shared Leadership in Action Trainer's Manual and Guidebook for Participants are both available for purchase. This innovative training model requires training teams that consist of both parents and staff. Parents Anonymous® Inc. staff and Parent Leaders provide this training throughout the country for parents and staff at schools, family support programs, child welfare agencies and other organizations interested in expanding their capacity to partner with parents in meaningful activities. Check the Parents Anonymous® Inc. web site, www.parentsanonymous.org
, for additional information. |
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| What is the National Parent Leadership Team® |
| The National Parent Leadership Team® was developed in 1994 from a vision inspired by Parents Anonymous® Inc.'s commitment to parent leadership and shared leadership. The National Parent Leadership Team® is a national organizational unit that ensures that parents share leadership with staff in all policy and program decisions related to Parents Anonymous® Inc. The Team is composed of a diverse group of mothers, fathers and grandparents who demonstrated leadership in their local Parents Anonymous® Programs and organizations and represent the broad ethnic, cultural and geographic diversity of Parents Anonymous® throughout the country. Each member is nominated for a three-year term by their local Parents Anonymous® organization. |
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| What is Parents Anonymous® Inc.? |
| Parents Anonymous® Inc . was founded in 1969 in shared leadership by a courageous parent who sought help to create a safe and caring home for her family and her social worker. Working in partnership with her social worker, they launched a unique solution for parents who wanted to strengthen their families – the Parents Anonymous® Group based on shared leadership. Today Parents Anonymous® Inc. is an international family strengthening organization which leads a dynamic Network of 267 accredited organizations and local affiliates that implement quality, proven effective Parents Anonymous® Programs for adults and children. From its beginnings, Parents Anonymous® Inc. has demonstrated the effectiveness of engaging parents in meaningful leadership roles to ensure better outcomes for families. For more information about Parents Anonymous® Inc., visit www.parentsanonymous.org . |
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What are Parents Anonymous® Groups and
How Can I Locate One in My Community? |
| Since 1969, Parents Anonymous® Groups have created a safe supportive, therapeutic environment for parents to make life-long changes for themselves and their children. Parents Anonymous® Groups incorporate Parents Anonymous® Principles of Shared Leadership, Mutual Support, Parent Leadership and Personal Growth. Weekly groups are offered free of charge to participants and their children attend Parents Anonymous® Children's Programs offered at the same time. To locate a Parents Anonymous® Group near you, visit the Parents Anonymous® Inc. web site . |
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| What is National Parent Leadership Month? |
National Parent Leadership Month is held in February each year. It was created by Parents Anonymous® Inc. in 2004 and almost 30 national, state and local organizations and federal agencies participated as co-sponsors. This major initiative includes a series of national, state and local activities to recognize, honor and celebrate parents for their leadership roles in their homes and communities. National Parent Leadership Month highlights the many opportunities available for parents, professionals, policymakers and other community members to engage in partnerships with the goal of building and supporting strong, safe families.
Parents Anonymous® Inc. and its co-sponsors work in partnership with public and private organizations such as social services, education, juvenile justice, childcare, mental health, health, businesses and policymakers to promote National Parent Leadership Month in communities all around the world to:
- Raise public awareness about the important roles parents play in shaping the
lives of children and families
- Publicize and expand opportunities for Parent Leaders to participate in meaningful Parent Leadership activities at the local, state and national levels
- Recognize individual Parent Leaders whose contributions make a positive difference to their families and communities
- Build successful partnerships between Parent Leaders and professionals in sharing responsibility, expertise and leadership in decisions being made that affect families and communities.
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| Download the National Parent Leadership Month Tool Kit |
