Application for Selection as an
Exemplary Organization in Partnering with Diverse Families

Family Voices National Center for Family Professional Partnerships (NCFPP) is seeking applicant organizations who have demonstrated culturally and linguistically effective practices in developing and sustaining family-professional partnerships. Applications are due on Friday, May 4th, 2016.

Key Themes for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Family-Professional Partnerships

Across the literature on cultural and linguistically appropriate services, and confirmed by the focus groups, key themes have emerged. Culturally and linguistically appropriate family-professional partnerships require:

(1)  Provision of language access (written materials, receptionist, in-person meetings, family support)

(2)  Office environments, materials, etc. that represent the cultural diversity of the families served

(3)  Respectful, welcoming, and supportive staff who reflect diverse populations and who demonstrate a clear commitment to learn about and partner with diverse families, a strong knowledge base, and professionalism

(4)  Connections to families with shared/similar experiences and/or backgrounds

(5)  Opportunities for diverse families to share their opinions and see changes implemented as a result of those opinions (engaging diverse families in organizational improvement)

Application process

Applicant organizations that demonstrate culturally and linguistically effective practices in developing and sustaining family-professional partnerships should apply using the application below. To apply, please:

·  Complete and submit the application below, sections I and II.

·  Include at least three (3) letters from diverse parents served by the organization with the application. While not every individual letter must address all five of the key themes identified above, all five of the key themes must be addressed in some way when the three letters are reviewed as a whole.

·  Submit your most recent Language Access Self-Assessment & Language Access Plan.

·  Indicate whether or not you have completed an organizational cultural and linguistic competence self-assessment in the last three years, and if so, which tool was used.

·  Agree, if selected as an exemplary program, to cooperate with the NCFPP to develop a “white paper” about your exemplary practices; make a presentation to at least one national conference; and respond to inquiries from other programs about your practices.

Please provide the following information:

Name: / Date:
Organization: / State:
Position/Role:

1.  Please describe your exemplary practices below, regarding each key theme.

Provision of language access (written materials, receptionist, meeting, one-to-one support):
Office environments, materials, etc., that reflect the diversity of families served:
Respectful, welcoming, and supportive staff who reflect diverse populations and who demonstrate a clear commitment to learn about and partner with diverse families, a strong knowledge base, and professionalism:
Connecting families to other families with shared/similar experiences & backgrounds:
Opportunities for diverse families to share their opinions and see changes implemented as a result of those opinions/engaging diverse families in organizational improvement:

2.  Please include a letter up to two pages indicating (a) why you are interested in being selected as an Exemplary Program in Diverse Family-Professional Partnership, (b) the unique knowledge, experience, and expertise your organization brings, and (c) any evaluation materials, including but not limited to external evaluations, and other evidence supporting your application. Please include 3 letters from parents representing diverse racial/ethnic groups as well as information on language access plan and assessments as described above.

Return this application, cover letter described above, and letters of recommendation by Wednesday May 4, 2016 to: Trish Thomas () or Maria Isabel Frangenberg, ) .

For questions or further information, please contact:

Trish Thomas () or Maria Isabel Frangenberg ( )