Adapted from the National Standards for Parent/Family Involvement Programs, National Parent-Teacher Association. These and other parent/family involvement tools are available online at http://www.pta.org/programs/invstand.htm.

As your planning team considers building school-community partnerships to enhance your district's prevention initiative, consider the following questions that you may want to ask to help guide your partnership-building efforts.

Sample Questions That Your Planning Team May Want to Ask Parents and Caregivers

• From what sources do you get most of your information about the school?

• Would you be interested in attending a workshop on how families can help students learn at home?

  • What youth, school, or parenting issues would you like to see covered in family workshops?
  • Where would you like these workshops to be held (e.g., in the school, community facility, home of a parent in your neighborhood)?
  • Would you be willing to host such a workshop?
  • When would you like to attend these workshops (i.e., day of the week and time of day)?
  • What is your preferred method(s) of communication with the school?

• Do you feel comfortable talking openly with teachers and administrators?

• Would you be interested in volunteering at the school?

  • If so, in what ways (e.g., clerical or administrative tasks, classroom duties, event planning or chaperoning, serving on the advisory committee, discussing hobbies or careers)?
  • What kinds of hobbies or work experience would you be willing to share with students?

• What kinds of resources or services would you like to see made available through the school?

Sample Questions that Your Planning Team May Want to Ask Community Groups and Businesses

• What youth, school, or community issues are most important to you?

• What are your current needs for volunteers?

  • Do you currently have parents or students volunteering in your community projects or other activities?
  • Would you consider using parent or student volunteers in your projects?

• What type of support could your business or group provide to a school (e.g., materials, volunteers)?

• In what ways would your business or group like to assist the school (e.g., sitting on an advisory committee, organizing events, providing mentoring or school-to-work programs, providing family support groups or workshops)?

• What methods have you found effective for improving school-community communications and collaborations (e.g., phone calls, newsletters, meetings)?