Decide What Works Best

The earlier you involve families in your work, the better the outcome. How you go about doing this will depend on a number of factors. Thinking through what it is you hope to achieve is a good place to start. 

Clarify what you want to accomplish by involving families
Involving and partnering with families can result in uncovering fresh solutions and improved outcomes. For example, you can work together to create inclusive practices, identify budget priorities, explore feedback on how services are provided and evaluated, or educate staff groups on particular child and family related issues.

Identify the best way to get the family input you want
This may include soliciting family feedback through a survey, conducting individual interviews, bringing together a focus group, inviting ongoing committee membership, creating a family advisory group, putting together a panel presentation etc.

Be realistic about what you can do
Know the time frame for the project, the kind of time you have to commit to this work, the available resources and the type of family involvement that will work best for your group.

When you have identified the type of family involvement that works best for your situation, you are ready for step 2, Recruit the Right People.  Or you may return to Involving Families as Advisors.