As we approach the end of the first year of the California Statewide Family Engagement Center (CA-SFEC), we are excited to share key updates on our progress. Launched with a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, CA-SFEC, led by the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) in partnership with the California Department of Education (CDE), aims to transform family engagement across the state to improve student achievement.

In our inaugural year, we established the CA-SFEC Advisory Committee, comprising 8 parents, 2 youth representatives, 2 community-based organizations, 1 county office of education, and 1 foundation partner. This committee, selected for their expertise in family engagement, has met with simultaneous interpretation to ensure all voices are heard.

The CA-SFEC is establishing itself as a leader among the states funded in this grant cycle. We have reached 482 families and 47 educators through three workshops and five family programs. The success of CA-SFEC programming has been greatly supported by PIQE’s established infrastructure and extensive experience in family engagement.

We have been actively engaged in various events across the state, fostering collaborative partnerships to advance our mission. Looking ahead, CA-SFEC will participate in the NAFSCE National Assembly for Family Engagement in Denver this October. This event will allow us to collaborate with up to 20 practitioners to enhance our statewide educational initiatives.

 Our upcoming website will showcase resources for educators, families, and practitioners to extend our reach to new districts and regions. Additionally, in partnership with CDE and NAFSCE, we are developing a tool to aid State Education Agencies in building effective family engagement programs.

We are enthusiastic about the future and our continued efforts in family engagement.