Fostering Family Leaders - Parent Leadership Academy 
Communities In Schools of Douglas County and the Douglas County School System have partnered with United Way of Greater Atlanta to provide a unique parent leadership academy program. The Fostering Family Leaders Program offers ten sessions over the course of a school year.

Registration is now OPEN!! Click the link to register. Class Registration Form

Session Overview:

Session 1: We Are Family! 
Focus: Begin leadership journey with peers in a safe environment; introduction of the 5 protective factors.

Key Topics: 

• Storytelling as a learning tool

• Establishing a support network in the group

• Reflection on self as leader

• The 5 Protective Factors 

Session 2: Developing Your Vision
Focus: Discover and build on unique gifts as individuals, parents, and community leaders; examine how leadership begins within and how to be strong leaders with your family. 

Key Topics: 

• Building on individual gifts

• SPARKS

• Develop a personal vision

• Vision boards 

Session 3: Get SMART: Goal-Setting 
Focus: Refine goals using new tools and strategies; continue to work on personal visions. 

Key Topics: 

• SWOT Analysis

• SMART Goal Setting

• Action Planning 

Session 4: Ages & Stages: Your Child's Milestones 
Focus: Learn about your child's developmental milestones; share ideas to support academic success; identify opportunities for parent involvement and academic transitions. 

Key Topics:

• Developmental Milestones

• Academic Success

• Effective School Transition

• Parent Engagement 

Session 5: Our Power 
Focus: Examine support networks, realize the power of collective voice; learning effective communication techniques. 

Key Topics:

• Developing a network of allies - Circles of Support

• 40 Developmental Assets 

• Power: its use, abuse and roles

Session 6: Communicate and Connect 
Focus: Organize to create change in the community; review steps for effective community planning.

Key Topics: 

• Community planning through the community action cycle

• Cross collaboration 

Session 7: Advocate: Communicating for Change
Focus: Practice good listening strategies and communication skills; share interests on community needs.

Key Topics: 

• Roadblocks in communication

• Active Listening skills

• "I" Messages 

Session 8: Learning to Lead
Focus: Build relationships between parents and community members; explore the foundation for sustainability of community projects after the program ends. 

Key Topics: 

• We are Trees

• Guest Presentation

Session 9: Preparing for Success
Focus:  Preparing to present in Session 1-; refine plan of action based on shared interests using skills learned.

Key Topics: 

• Leadership Bingo

• Community Action Project 

Session 10: Celebrating Your Achievements
Focus: Present on community plan of action; determine next steps in the sustainability of plan.

Key Topics:

• Community Action Presentation

• Explore next steps

  
  
  For more information contact Mitzi Teal or Patti Sullivan.

  Mitzi Teal 770-651-2039 or mitzi.teal@dcssga.org
  Patti Sullivan 770-651-2118 or patti.sullivan@dcssga.org