Training
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PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TRAINING
Parent Voices Matter: Cultivating Resilient Parent Advisory Committees
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An active Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is a cornerstone for fostering meaningful parent engagement, cultivating leadership skills, and advancing program outcomes. Building on insights from network members across three states, the National Family Support Network (NFSN) has developed a highly impactful training program to help program staff unlock the full potential of PACs. Designed to adapt to today’s diverse and evolving needs, this virtual training spans two half-day sessions and provides practical strategies and tools to either establish or strengthen a PAC.
Rooted in the nationally adopted Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support and the Principles of Family Support Practice, this training equips participants with a proven framework for building PACs that thrive in diverse community settings. Participants will explore the transformative impact of PACs, examine lessons learned from successful implementation, and learn strategies that consistently drive positive outcomes. A unique highlight of this training is the opportunity to hear directly from a parent leader actively serving on a PAC, offering firsthand perspectives on the challenges and rewards of parent leadership.
Participants will leave the training with a comprehensive understanding of PAC fundamentals, including how to identify who should be involved, why their engagement matters, and what steps ensure immediate and sustainable success. The training also empowers participants to develop actionable strategies for enhancing existing PACs or launching new ones, fostering confidence and clarity as they build collaborative leadership models.
Co-facilitated by two experts with deep experience in PAC development, this training offers participants the benefit of diverse perspectives. One facilitator brings extensive expertise in program design and implementation, while the other shares the lived experience of a parent participant who continues to actively serve on a PAC in Texas. Together, they model the strength of staff-parent collaboration and exemplify the transformative power of shared leadership in creating impactful programs.
This updated training integrates three distinct PAC models from Georgia, Texas, and Wisconsin, ensuring its relevance across a variety of demographics and program contexts. Participants consistently praise the training’s effectiveness, with 96% reporting that it enhanced their knowledge and skills, providing them with the tools needed to achieve measurable success in developing and sustaining PACs. Discover how this training can elevate parent participation and help your program thrive!
Cost and Scheduling Details:
The training costs $7,500 for NFSN Members and $8,000 for non-Members for up to 40 participants. Two sessions are available at a discounted rate of $14,000 for Members and $15,000 for non-Members. The total training time is 11 hours, typically divided into two consecutive days (e.g., 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM daily). Start and end times can be customized to accommodate participant needs. To schedule hosting a training, please click here and fill out the training request form.
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Upcoming Open PAC Trainings: ​
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February 18 & 19, 2025: Register here by February 11th​
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March 18 & 19, 2025: Register here by March 11th
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"I knew a little bit about PACS coming into it, but now, after the training, I feel like I have a lot of really tangible next steps to use."
-Hannah (OK), Training Participant
"I am so glad that I took this training. I know where to start to get our PAC going and how to sustain it."
-Cora (MN), Training Participant
"It was amazing.. Very different from what PAC used to be. I looked back and realized I had taken it before, but this was a whole new experience. The training wasn’t scripted; it felt real, with lots of energy and enthusiasm from the participants. The breakout sessions and opportunities for interaction were incredible. It was a ‘go, go, go’ atmosphere but still very realistic. I can’t say enough positive things about it."
- Gail (CT), PAC Training Participant
OUTREACH TRAINING
Connect with Effect: Outreach Training
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Outreach and engagement of families are essential for Family Support and Strengthening Programs, as Programs are only effective if they are well-utilized. This National Family Support Network training focuses on effective outreach and planning strategies to help Programs connect with potential participants and maximize their impact.
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Through this training, participants will gain insights and tools to:
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Understand outreach within the broader context of engaging families.
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Explore strategies to enhance outreach efforts.
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Develop a customized outreach plan to meet their Program’s goals.
Rooted in the nationally-adopted Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support and the Principles of Family Support Practice, the training integrates proven outreach strategies implemented successfully in two states. Participants will benefit from the expertise of two co-facilitators: one with extensive experience in program design and implementation, and the other with the lived experience of a parent actively engaged in a Family Resource Center in Texas. Together, they model the transformative power of staff-parent collaboration and shared leadership.
Cost and Scheduling Details:
The training costs $5,000 for NFSN Members and $5,500 for non-Members for up to 40 participants. The total training time is 5 hours (e.g., 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM). Start and end times can be customized to accommodate participant needs. To schedule hosting a training, please click here and fill out the training request form.
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Upcoming Open Outreach Trainings: ​
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