Power to the Parents!
By Lisa Pion-Berlin
Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin celebrates National Parent
Leadership Month with the Parents Anonymous® Inc. National Parent Leadership
Team®.
Shared Leadership
Parents Anonymous® Inc., founded in 1969 by a parent and her social worker, has always modeled Shared Leadership in its program and its organizational structure. Parents Anonymous® Inc., founded in 1969 by a parent and her social worker, has always modeled Shared Leadership in its program and its organizational structure. It has been the cornerstone of our program and is a key element of its effectiveness to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect. While Shared Leadership is at the core of our philosophy and intrinsic to how we operate, it is a fairly new and challenging approach to many others who are unfamiliar with the concept.
Simply put, Shared Leadership means parents and staff work in partnership to achieve better outcomes for families, programs and systems. By working together to accomplish their mutual goals and shared vision, they increase the chances of successful outcomes. Parents provide a singular perspective about issues concerning children, families and the communities in which they live and work. The impact of parents’ “voices” can be powerful.
Parent Leadership and Parent Leaders
Parents who are committed to helping to create change in their homes and their communities are called Parent Leaders. They may be parents, grandparents, kinship care providers, foster parents or anyone in a parenting role who speaks from his/her own perspective - - and not in a staff role for an organization. Those who are most effective, however, are Parent Leaders who have personal experience in the systems they are working to change.
Parents Anonymous® Inc. took Parent Leadership to a new level in 1994 when it received funding to create the first National Parent Leadership Team® (NPLT), thereby ensuring Shared Leadership on a national scale. The creation, development and study of this first NPLT, initiated the Parents Anonymous® Inc. Parent Leadership research agenda. We brought 12 members from across the country on board. Over the years the Team has continued to grow and members work in partnership with Parents Anonymous® Inc. in all matters related to programs and policies.
Parent Leadership research
We have seen extraordinary growth and development in these parents who have made many positive changes in their lives and in the lives of their families. In addition, many have become community activists and advocates for change. Several have moved on to advocate for change at the national level.
Our ongoing research has shown that when staff within public or private programs and systems incorporates Shared Leadership strategies into their work with families and assist parents in taking on leadership roles, it provides a setting for the realization of mutual goals. By building these strong partnerships and sharing responsibility, expertise and leadership, multiple perspectives and diverse strengths and talents are combined and better outcomes are ensured for everyone.
Each person’s pathway to Shared Leadership is unique, but at Parents Anonymous® Inc., we have found through our ongoing research, that there are common elements that support parents and staff in reaching their goals.
Successful implementation
The successful implementation of Shared Leadership strategies results in significant positive changes for systems, programs and individuals. A few examples follow:
Meaningful systems change
• Parents who see Parent Leaders holding meaningful roles, experience greater trust that the system will be more responsive to their needs and interests.
• Parent leaders can be effective spokespersons and advocates for systems, and their life experiences can lead to greater understanding of vital issues that affect families.
• By partnering with Parent Leaders, systems can achieve more positive results by utilizing resources more effectively and expanding their ability to create change.
Increased program effectiveness
• Parent Leaders help programs better respond to the needs and wishes of the families they serve by providing staff with immediate, reality-based feedback and suggestions for improvement.
• Parent Leaders often become advocates for stronger, more responsive programs and additional resources for families and the services that support them.
Better outcomes for parents, children and families
• Serving as a Parent Leader provides opportunities for growth and helps parents gain increased self-esteem, a stronger sense of personal power and greater leadership capabilities.
• Parent Leaders often garner increased respect from their family members and friends.
• Often, children of Parent Leaders begin to demonstrate age appropriate leadership behaviors in their homes, schools and communities.
Tips for successful Shared Leadership
During our many years of modeling Shared Leadership, we have learned that several vital elements for planning, implementing and supporting effective Shared Leadership strategies must be in place and this has led to the development of the Parents Anonymous® Inc. Shared Leadership in Action Program. Essential to the success of this model, is the assurance that staff and Parent Leaders receive the same information and are offered any additional training needed to make certain that they can participate fully in all activities and receive all needed support. Tips include:
• Make a significant commitment to Shared Leadership – This must take place at all levels of the organization and on a personal level for those engaged in Shared Leadership roles. You might consider developing a formal structure such as a Task Force or an Advisory Team.
• Assess Readiness – In order to work effectively in Shared Leadership, self-assessments of parents, staff and organizations are necessary to identify personal and organizational strengths and any areas needing improvement.
• Develop Organizational Structure – It is very important to have a structured avenue for Parent Leaders and staff to work together, share information, review and revise plans, receive training and create opportunities for Shared Leadership. You might consider developing a formal structure such as a Task Force or an Advisory Team.
• Think Outside the Box – Challenge assumptions and attitudes that are obstacles to Shared Leadership.
• Participate in Shared Leadership in Action Training and Obtain Ongoing Technical Assistance – This will enable you to build new partnerships and incorporate new strategies into your programs. You will also learn how to develop a Shared Leadership Plan with specific attainable goals and realistic timelines to ensure progress. Plan to begin right away - - and to be patient.
• Provide Concrete and Emotional Supports – Parent Leaders should be able to participate without incurring loss of wages or any out-of-pocket expenses. They will benefit from supportive, positive and constructive feedback.
• Learn From Others – Taking part in training and technical assistance opportunities helps develop specific skills, enhances knowledge and creates shared experiences. Seek formal and informal learning opportunities.
• Continually Evaluate Progress – Review and revise the Shared Leadership plan as needed. Analyze setbacks and develop strategies to overcome barriers whenever possible.
• Be a Role Model to Others – Reach out and encourage other parents and staff to get involved. Make recruitment an ongoing process.
• Solidify Shared Leadership Commitments and Practices – Formalize policies, practices and structures at all levels to solidify the commitment to and practice of meaningful Shared Leadership.
• Celebrate Successes – It is always important to acknowledge success along the way by recognizing achievement of small steps. Appreciating the hard work and dedication of Parent Leaders and staff will inspire continued efforts toward larger goals.
Sharing leadership
with parents enhances
outcomes for children,
families and communities.
Opportunities for Shared Leadership
For those organizations and institutions interested in implementing the Shared Leadership concept, it is important to note that opportunities for parent involvement are everywhere.
Think about involving Parent Leaders in:
• Creating and serving on state and local Parent Leadership Teams – In addition to the Parents Anonymous® Inc. National Parent Leadership Team®, we have created a California Parent Leadership Team in partnership with the California Department of Social Services, Office of Child Abuse Prevention.
• Working with the Media - Many parents whose lives have been positively transformed are eager to tell their stories in order to help other parents. When a parent and staff member are interviewed by the media, the parent provides the human interest element. S/he puts a “real face” on the issue at hand and the audience can more easily relate to the problem and the importance of the solution.
• Providing training and technical assistance – Parent Leaders are excellent at co-training at workshops and seminars. Their participation provides real-life examples of successful programs.
• Creating legislative agendas – Parents can be passionate advocates, bringing a very personal point of view to meetings. Allowing them in on the creation of an agenda will help them to see all of the possibilities.
Celebrating the success of Parent Leaders
Working together, the collective voices of parents and staff are shaping policy and practices to make a powerful and positive difference in the lives of children and families.
As a means of celebrating Parent Leaders and educating the public about the importance of Parent Leadership in helping to prevent child abuse, Parents Anonymous® Inc. created National Parent Leadership Month (NPLM), which is celebrated each February. Now in its fourth year, NPLM provides opportunities to honor parents, raise awareness, and encourage others to participate in Shared Leadership. The results have far surpassed our expectations, confirming our belief in the importance of bringing parents and staff together to create safer and more nurturing homes for children.
The Parent Leadership Network
We have also created The Parent Leadership Network, a unique on-line community for parents all across the country to connect with one another and talk about ways to develop and expand their leadership skills and opportunities. This e-mail group is also an important resource for others who currently work with, or are interested in working with, Parent Leaders in Shared Leadership such as staff, community members, professionals, and policymakers. To join, please visit www.parentleadershipnetwork.org and complete the on-line registration form.