Encouraging parents and guardians to
get involved in their child's education program

To promote children’s learning and development, Parents and Guardians are encouraged to collaborate with their child’s Teacher, Family Advocate, or Home Visitor by: 

• Participating in the Parent/Child orientation 
• Sharing any needs or concerns they may have
• Telling the Teacher what is important to your family so your values can be supported
• Participating in parent conferences  
• Sharing ideas and joining activities with children in the classroom
• Participation in the Raising a Reader program by reading or telling stories to your child at home
• Participating in the ReadyRosie program to support learning activities at home and in the community 
• Attending Family Engagement Events 
• Participating in parent education opportunities in the community 
• Volunteering at your child’s site

Parents and Guardians are also invited to participate in leadership opportunities such as an Advisory Committee on topics like Health & Nutrition, or the Parent Leadership Council.

The Parent Leadership Council (PLC) is a group of parents and/or guardians and members of the Children and Families community who help lead and make decisions about our Children & Families program. The members of the PLC are elected by the parents of children who are enrolled in the program. 

Members of the Parent Leadership Council:

• Attend an orientation 
• Participate in council meetings (usually the second Tuesday of each month from
  6:00 – 8:00 pm; childcare is provided)
• Share in the decision-making process for the program
• Share information and inform parents at each site about Child & Families activities
• Encourage involvement from other parents and guardians enrolled in the program
• Approves and submits decisions to the Community Action Marin Board of Directors including; activities to support parental involvement in program operations,  policies to ensure that the program responds to the needs of parents and the community, priorities for recruitment, selection, and enrollment in the program, approval of applications and amendments for funding
• Approval of the budget for program expenditure

The Appetite for Change program is open to those in our Children and Families childcare and education programs. In the program, families share their cultural food practices and together learn how to grow fruits and vegetables and how to cook and use them in the meals they prepare. Sessions take place over the course of six weeks and are held in Spanish with English translation provided if needed.

Our program tackles the intersection of food security, racial equity, and climate justice  and is designed to create a replicable model to scale across urban green spaces in partnership with community groups. Appetite for Change will connect people of low income back to land, provide a space to engage with the environment and food, and help promote healthy eating. Urban green spaces and gardens also serve as a place for social connection, education, and leadership opportunities for those involved.