Involvement of students, parents, community representatives, health specialists, and volunteers in schools provides an integrated approach for enhancing the health and well being of students both at school and in the community. School health advisory councils, coalitions, and broadly-based constituencies for school health can build support for school health programs. School administrators, teachers, and school health staff in all components actively solicit family involvement and engage community resources, expertise, and services to respond effectively to the health-related needs of students and families. Qualified professionals such as principals, teachers, and school health staff, along with students, parents and volunteers, provide leadership in this area.
What is Parent to Parent?
Parent to Parent provides one-to-one emotional support, information, and resources from a parent or caregiver, on a similar journey, caring for a child with a special health care need, chronic illness, or disability.
Parent to Parent can help by:
· Problem-solving
· Providing emotional support
· Connecting you to community resources
· Sharing first-hand experience and tips
· Making referrals to other agencies who can provide additional support
· Assisting in navigating your healthcare system
KidCentral TN
The kidcentral tn State Services Directory is an online listing of state-operated and state-funded programs. From here, you can find information and connect to thousands of programs available to Tennessee families, children and parents—many available at no cost—all with the click of a button. Many services are provided regardless of family income level.
The State Services Directory is tailored to your needs. When you type in your ZIP code, the directory will automatically display the services and programs nearest you. You can also use search terms and age ranges to narrow your search.
Parent Engagement in Schools
Parent engagement in schools is defined as parents and school staff working together to support and improve the learning, development, and health of children and adolescents. (For this discussion of parent engagement, “parent” refers to the adult primary caregiver(s) of a child’s basic needs [e.g., feeding, safety]. Adult primary caregivers include biological parents; other biological relatives such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, or siblings; and nonbiological parents such as adoptive, foster, or stepparents.)
Tips
Why is it important for you to engage in your child’s school?
Studies have shown that students who have parents engaged in their school lives are more likely to have
Higher grades and test scores.
Better student behavior.
Enhanced social skills.
In addition, students who have parents engaged in their school lives are less likely to
Smoke cigarettes.
Drink alcohol.
Become pregnant.
Be physically inactive.