MetLife Foundation is continuing to support NNPS in 2010 to increase the number, quality, and results of programs of family and community partnerships. In announcing the grant, A. Dennis White, President and CEO of MetLife Foundation, noted that NNPS “bridges the significant divides in research, policy, and effective practice in ways that educators recognize, value, and use.”
The grant not only will enable NNPS to improve and disseminate its tools and training, but also help more districts and schools learn to implement programs of family and community involvement. “The funds will help NNPS turn MetLife Foundation’s strong interest in family and community involvement into on-the-ground programs in communities across the country,” explained Joyce Epstein, NNPS Director.
New Projects
Two new projects are planned this year. NNPS is developing a book for educators to increase the involvement of diverse families in their partnership programs. Many – if not most – schools serve students and families with diverse socioeconomic, racial, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds. The book will provide educators and school teams with research-based guidelines and innovative practices to engage all families in ways that help their children succeed at high levels.
Over the next year, NNPS also will provide professional development to leaders for partnerships in organizations that want to expand their services on family and community involvement by linking to NNPS. Many organizations for administrators and teachers ask these educators to conduct goal-linked programs of family and community involvement. Some organizations are ready to have their own leaders who can offer professional development using NNPS-tested approaches and tools so that more of their constituents will meet goals for excellent partnership programs.