What Family Leadership Is

Family leadership means parents and caregivers using their lived experience—paired with skills, knowledge, and self-awareness—to influence decisions, co-design solutions, and hold systems accountable so services work better for every family. 

Why Your Voice Matters

​Better outcomes: When families lead, decisions are more equitable, culturally responsive, and effective.

Lived expertise: Training helps translate experience into practical leadership skills you can use in meetings, workgroups, and boards.

Stronger systems: Your input reduces bias, duplication, and gaps across child- and family-serving services. 

ways to lead

​Advise: Share input via surveys, focus groups, interviews, and advisory roles.

Collaborate: Co-design programs, set priorities, and make decisions with system partners.

Lead: Set agendas, champion change, and help carry out community strategies.

what you can expect

Training

A supportive, skills-first series (5 sessions) with reflection and practice built in:
​

• Intro to Family Leadership & Your Role 
• Advocacy & Lived Experience 
• Relationships & Resource Navigation 
• Communication & Engaging Systems 
• Sustaining Leadership 

Mentor match available: You can be paired with an experienced family leader to support your goals. 

Support

• Welcoming spaces and clear next steps; it’s okay to pass or take a break as needed.

• Practical skills you can use right away (meetings, workgroups, boards).

​​

• Ongoing connection with peers and staff; opportunities to advise, collaborate, or lead.