A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Florida Center for Parent Involvement
Center of Excellence

The Florida Center for Parent Involvement (Florida Center) is being established by the Center of Excellence in conjunction with the Florida Children's Forum, the Florida Mental Health Institute's Department of Child and Family Studies, and the HIPPY, Even Start and Head Start programs. The Center of Excellence, the lead agency, is a non-profit agency based in Tampa with sites in nine other Florida cities. It provides educational opportunities for minority students of preschool through high school age and their families.

The Florida Center is focusing on assisting at- risk children and families, including those who are low-income, minority, disabled, inner city, migrant, or limited English proficient. The project is developing materials, providing technical assistance, and building training capabilities to help families become more involved with their children's education. Materials will be made available in a number of languages and formats (such as audio and visual as well as written), and disseminated widely using the currently existing statewide networks of the six partners founding the Florida Center.

The Florida Center has four main objectives:

1. Establish and Operate a Statewide Information and Training Center
   The Florida Center is focusing on a number of themes, including empowering families to become their own advocates, enhancing family involvement in schools and community organizations, developing support strategies to help children with behavior problems, especially those of children with disabilities, combatting the effects of violence on families and children, and improving the readiness of children entering school. In addition, the Florida Center is providing technical assistance and training to improve and expand the HIPPY program throughout the state.
2. Develop Demonstration Programs
   The HIPPY, Even Start and Head Start programs are serving as sites for developing, implementing, and evaluating various parental involvement services and activities. The HIPPY Program is being expanded to include a greater number of urban and rural communities throughout Florida.
3. Disseminate Information
   To build on the currently existing networks between the partners involved with the Florida Center, additional networks with other state and local agencies that work with families, social services and education are being developed. The Florida Center is also accessing national sources of information on family involvement, such as the Family Resource Coalition, and electronic sources including the National Parent Information Network.
4. Conduct Evaluation and Assessment Activities
   Through qualitative, case study, and quantitative approaches the Florida Center is working with families and family organizations to determine the most meaningful ways to evaluate family assistance programs. Evaluations will also be conducted to assess the effects of the Florida Center's activities, programs, and materials.

Family Centers & School

• Florida Children's Forum
• Florida Mental Health Institute, Department of Child and Family Studies
• HIPPY
• Even Start
• Head Start

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[Greater Washington Urban League]

[Albany/Dougherty 2000 Partnership]