The link between successful families, successful schools, and successful communities
WORD has a long history of supporting families and education. We began working with schools to develop school-based Family Resource Centers in 1993. At that time, WORD was the recipient of a three year grant and partnered with Roosevelt Elementary School in Missoula in what was called a “pilot site” for bringing about what seemed to be a logical alliance of schools and human service agencies. Schools work with children and their families every day, however, teachers often do not have the time or expertise to deal with emotional, financial or social challenges that families may face. Stresses in a family affect children's learning. On the other hand, human service agencies that can help families through difficult times often don't hear from them until they've reached a crisis. Schools, through Family Resource Centers, can be a place where information and connections strengthen families, communities, and learning.

From these beginnings, WORD has developed the Family Resource Centers program that today provides technical assistance to schools across Montana through our Department of Education (PIRC) funding. In 2002, WORD received our first AmeriCorps grant award. This funding developed the Literacy Support Corps that provides a staffing resource and has developed more than 30 Family Resource Centers in schools and community agencies in western Montana . The Literacy Support Corps has the capacity to staff approximately 16 western Montana Family Resource Centers in any given year.

What is a Family Resource Center ?

A Family Resource Center is a place in a school that is set aside for the purpose of making the school accessible to families and encouraging adult involvement in children's education. A center may be located in a spare classroom, a section of the library or a quiet hallway. Many schools are so crowded that a small nook at the school becomes a Center.

As researcher Vivian Johnson notes, “Having a special place for parents symbolically changes the role of parents from outsiders ( invited guests ) to insiders ( members of the team ).” A Family Resource Center sends a clear message to families that the school wants them to be true partners in education. It says, “You are welcome in the building. We want your collaboration in the education of your children.” “Parents feel welcome,” says Johnson, “because the school hierarchy doesn't interfere with relationships.” Family Resource Centers provide an informal place for families, teachers, principals, community members and folks just like you, to come together supporting learning and each other.

Centers provide a variety of resources including community and school information, lending libraries, workshops, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and a good cup of coffee. Generally they include comfortable furniture; a work area with computer and telephone, an area for young children with toys and books, a bulletin board announcing school and community events, brochures and information on school and community resources, and perhaps a clothing closet where families can swap clothing of fast growing children. Working with parents and teachers, Literacy Support Corps members, often known as Family Resource Center Coordinators in schools, facilitate a wide variety of activities for parents and families designed to strengthen learning in classrooms, homes and the community. They create an environment where strong partnerships between families and schools flourish.

Why is family and community involvement important in education?

Students spend just 13% of their waking hours in class. Educational researcher Herbert Walbert points out 12 years of 180 six-hour days in school add up to only 13% of a student's waking, learning time during the first 18 years of life. The rest, 87%, is spent out of school, primarily at home. Opportunities and activities at home and in the community that support learning, reinforce and reward progress, are essential to academic achievement and development of life long learning.

Research shows that the most accurate predictor of a student's achievement in school is not income or social status, but the extent to which that student's family is able to:

• Create a home environment that encourages learning
• Express high (but not unrealistic) expectations for their children's achievement and future careers
• Become involved in their children's education at school and in the community .

Students with involved parents are more likely to:

• earn higher grades and test scores
• be promoted, pass their classes, and earn credits
• attend school regularly
• have better social skills and improved behavior
• graduate and go on to postsecondary education

When schools include parents in the learning environment, they are more able to support learning outside the classroom.

How to get involved with this program

Today, Family Resource Centers are a collaborative partnership between WORD, community agencies, and school districts throughout western Montana. The Literacy Support Corps is an AmeriCorps program of WORD that provides members to staff Family Resource Centers. If you are interested in developing a Family Resource Center in your school or community agency, click here! If you are interested in learning more about joining the Literacy Support Corps click here!