How to Build and Support Family Centered Practices in After School

Open houses, PTA meetings and classroom volunteer opportunities are tried and true ways that schools involve parents in their children's learning. Research shows this participation helps students succeed. But the latest research in child development is also suggesting that learning is enhanced when families are similarly involved in their children's after-school experiences

United Way of Massachusetts Bay's Engaging Families Initiative, Harvard Family Research Project and Build the Out-of-School Time Network (BOSTnet) are teaming up to help after-school programs become more effective engaging families in their children's learning and development.

With support from the Wallace Foundation, this partnership has produced "Focus on Families! How to Build and Support Family-Centered Practices in After School," a new national guide for after-school providers that details best practices for engaging families in a meaningful way, taking into consideration both the challenges and, more importantly, the strengths of today's working family.