February
2005 Will Mark the Second Observance of
National Parent Leadership Month
Initiated by Parents
Anonymous®, the nation’s oldest child abuse prevention and family
strengthening organization, National
Parent Leadership Month recognizes, honors, and celebrates parents who have
demonstrated positive transformations in their families and communities.
What is Parent Leadership?
Meaningful Parent Leadership occurs
when parents gain the knowledge and skills to function in meaningful leadership
roles and represent a “parent voice” to help shape the direction of their
families, programs, and communities.
Success is achieved when parents and professionals build effective
partnerships and share responsibility, expertise, and leadership in decisions
being made that affect families and communities.
Throughout the
country, parents and professionals are working together by participating
jointly in local, regional, and national planning processes, collaborating as
grant reviewers and program evaluators, and serving on advisory boards and
coalitions. Working
together, the voices of parents and professionals are shaping policy and
practice to make a difference in the lives of children and families.
A Parent Leader
v
May be a parent, grandparent, foster parents, kinship care providers, or
anyone else in a parenting role
v
Have personal experience in using resources/services to
strengthen his/her family
v
Speak and act from his/her perspective as a parent
v
Does not speak or act in a staff role for an
organization or institution
