Family Leadership Training Institute

The Family & Intercultural Resource Center (FIRC) is bringing a new program to Summit County to develop stronger parents and leaders within our community. The Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI) is a 20-week class, which helps participants develop the skills to make their communities healthier, cleaner, safer and better learning environments for children.

“We are incredibly excited to offer this curriculum for parents and guardians in Summit County,” said FIRC Executive Director, Tamara Drangstveit. “We believe that it will provide a transformative experience for people who have not had the opportunity to learn about our civic structures, and we want to provide Summit County with the opportunity to embrace culturally diverse leaders. “

Program graduates spend more than 120 hours to develop skills needed to become effective leaders in their communities. Once recruited and accepted in to the program, participants attend a 20-week curriculum that integrates personal and child development, leadership training, civic literacy and civic participation skills. The curriculum includes four components: an initial retreat, two 10-week sessions that focus on knowledge about the change process, skill building, and tools of civic engagement; and a community project.

In only 20-weeks, Institute graduates can make a significant impact within their communities. Through their community projects they demonstrate that when given civic and leadership tools, families can guide public policy and decision making directly and indirectly through their actions and commitment to children, youth and the community.

The FLTI started from a public-private partnership between several statewide organizations, business leaders and community members. Collectively these organizations discovered three things: 1) Families are eager to learn how to participate in democracy; 2) Civic leaders and organizations benefit from informed families; and 3) Communities are strengthened when the voice of the family is valued.

The FLTI prepares families to become leading advocates for children. Families’ opinions are often unheard, but their strong motivation and will to change their children’s lives are apparent. The FLTI teaches families, who wish to improve the lifelong health, safety and learning of children, how to become practiced change agents for the next generation.

Families define the curriculum and participate in its evaluation and outcomes. Family supports, such as dinner and child care, are included with the workshops. Each class of families mentors the next class, creating a pyramid effect of community caring and developing a coalition of family leaders.

Who should apply? Parents, guardians, grandparents, and community members who wish to improve the lives of children and families in our community.

Applications due by October 27th. Interviews scheduled 30 days prior to class starting. This opportunity is only offered to 25 participants (per site) who are screened and selected based on their availability and readiness. Consideration is also given to how their participation will enhance diversity, strength, and learning for the group as a whole. FLTI course is offered free of charge.

The class will run November-March on Tuesday evenings from 5:30-9:00 p.m. People who have experience facilitating culturally diverse groups are encouraged to contact FIRC. The class will be taught in English. FIRC is currently recruiting contracted facilitators and anyone interested in the paid position should contact Corrie at 970-455-0230 or email corriej@summitfirc.org.

Date – Type -Topic

Retreat – Creating a Caring Community for Children

Class – Thriving with Diversity in the Group Process

Class – The Change Process

Class – Parents as Change Agents

Class -How to Define a Problem and Work Toward a Solution

Class – The Intentional Use of Language

Class -Learning how a Community Works

Break

How Local Systems Work and How to Interact With Them

Class -Networks & Coalitions

-Class -The Power of the Media and How to Use it

Class -Using Your Voice

-Class -The Life Cycle of a Child and the Functions of the Family

-Class -What is Public Policy?

-Class – How the State Works
BREAK
-Class -How the City Works

-How do we Understand the Law

-Attend a Town Council Meeting

-Class -Budgets – From Wallets to State –  It’s all Money and Priorities –

Class -Evaluation, Outcomes and Accountability

Break

-Class -The Magic of the Unexpected: Forming New Alliances

-Class – Language: Packaging and Moving Agendas

-Graduation