Parent Leadership

Welcome!

Are you part of a family-led group or thinking about joining one? FCSN has many resources to help you build your confidence, knowledge, and skills as a parent leader. Many people wonder if they are qualified to be a parent leader. You are — exactly as you are today. All you need are your lived experiences, your enthusiasm and your interests. (Add links to non-English resources here.)

All families are welcome….and needed. Massachusetts families are diverse. We have families with different strengths and needs, from different cultures, with different histories, who speak different languages, and bring different abilities to our mission of student success. Families can help create schools and communities that invite and welcome every family to the decision-making table.

On this page, you will find resources that can answer your Questions about Parent Leadership, boost your confidence as you Build Your Leadership Skills, give you the tools to Grow Your Group, provide tips on how to Advocate for Change, and increase your knowledge around special education, family engagement, inclusion, advocacy, navigating healthcare, and the importance of data in our Learning Portal.

woman with holding computer

Build Leadership Skills

You are Enough
What Type of Leader Are You?
New Leader Orientation
Running Meetings
Delegating
Resilience
Negotiating
Sharing Power
Serving on Groups
Decision Making
Leading by Convening

Multiracial group of college students and teacher in class

Grow Your Group

Overview
Invite and Welcome All Families
Creating an Action Plan
Outreach
Volunteers
Partner with Parent Groups
Partner with District Staff
Building Community Partnerships
One-on-One Meetings

person standing in from of a group speaking

Advocate for Change

Advocating for Your Child
How to Share Your Story
Support Groups
Community Organizing
Collaborative Problem Solving
Health Care Advocacy
School District Advocacy
Community Advocacy
State Agency Advocacy
Legislative Advocacy
Join an Advisory Board
Running for School Committee
Running for Office

poster with words kills, training, growth, education

Increase Your Knowledge

Upcoming Trainings
Where to Look for Answers
Empowering Questions
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Accessibility
Special Education
Health Care
Family Engagement
Disability Topics
Multicultural & Multilingual Topics
Early Childhood
Transition to Adulthood
Discipline & Behavior
Understanding Data
School & Family Collaboration
8-Week Course on Special Education
Resources in Spanish
Resources in Portuguese
Resources in Chinese
Resources in Haitian Creole