FAMILY SUPPORT STANDARDS€¦ · A Family Support Program is of, by, and for the community/...

FAMILY SUPPORT

STANDARDS

SFFSN Family Support Standards // 4/7/2011 Edition 2

As defined by Family Support America, Family Support is all of the following:

• Anapproachtostrengtheningfamiliesandcommunitiessothat theycanfostertheoptimaldevelopmentofchildren,youth,and adultfamilymembers.

• Atypeofgrassroots,community-basedProgramdesignedtoprevent familyproblemsbystrengtheningparent-childrelationshipsand providingwhateverparentsneedinordertobegoodnurturers andproviders.

• Ashiftinhumanservicesdeliverythatencouragespublicand privateagenciestoworktogetherandtobecomemore preventative,responsive,flexible,family-focused,strengths-based, andholistic—andthusmoreeffective.

• Amovementforsocialchangethaturgespolicymakers,service providers,parents,andemployerstotakeresponsibilityfor improvingthelivesofchildrenandfamiliesandensuringtheyget whattheyneedtosucceed.

INTRODUCTIONTOFAMILYSUPPORT

FAMILYSUPPORT

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ApproachtoStrengthening

Families

MovementforSocialChange

ShiftinHumanServices

Delivery

TypeofCommunity

BasedProgram


Family Support is based on the premise that primary responsibil-ity for the development and well-being of children lies within the family, and that all segments of society must support families as they raise their children. Family Support services include a broad array of activities designed to strengthen families, helping parents to raise their children successfully, become self-sufficient, and take an active role in their communities.

“Family” includes those who share responsibility for raising a child to adulthood. A family consists of at least one adult and one child, age 0-18, who are related biologically, emotionally, or legally. Families may be comprised of one parent, two parents, grandparents, foster parents, legal guardians, or from a need for mutual support.

Adapted from San Francisco Citywide Strategic Plan for Supporting Families – San Francisco Starting Points Initiative, September 2003.

INTRODUCTIONTOFAMILYSUPPORT


PRINCIPLES&PRACTICESofFAMILYSUPPORT

PRINCIPLESOFFAMILYSUPPORTPRACTICE

1. Staff and families work together in relation-ships based on equality and respect.

2. Staff enhance families’ capacity to support the growth and development of all family members—adults, youth, and children.

3. Families are resources to their own members, to other families, to programs, and to communities.

4. Programs affirm and strengthen families’ cultural, racial, and linguistic identities and enhance their ability to function in a multicul-tural society.

5. Programs are embedded in their communi-ties and contribute to the community-building process.

6. Programs advocate with families for services and systems that are fair, responsive, and accountable to the families served.

7. Practitioners work with families to mobilize formal and informal resources to support family development.

8. Programs are flexible and continually respon-sive to emerging family and community issues.

9. Principles of family support are modeled in all program activities, including planning, governance, and administration.

PREMISESOFFAMILYSUPPORT

1. Primary responsibility for the development and well-being of children lies within the family, and all segments of society must support families as they rear their children.

2. Assuring the well-being of all families is the cornerstone of healthy society, and requires uni-versal access to support programs and services.

3. Children and families exist as part of an ecological system.

4. Child-rearing patterns are influenced by parents’ understandings of child development and of their children’s unique characteristics, personal sense of competence, and cultural and community traditions and mores.

5. Enabling families to build on their own strengths and capacities promotes the healthy development of children.

6. The development processes that make up parenthood and family life create needs that are unique at each stage in the life span.

7. Families are empowered when they have access to information and other resources and take action to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities.

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FAMILYSUPPORTSTANDARDSBACKGROUND

The San Francisco Family Support Network (SFFSN) was founded in 2004 as a unique partnership of the stakeholders in the Family Support field: families, community-based orga-nizations, public departments, and private foundations. Its mission is to work collectively to achieve quality programs, coordination of resources, and policies that support all San Francisco families.

The Family Support Standards were created by the SFFSN to define how the nine principles of Family Support developed by Family Support America are applied programmatically. The Standards are designed to be used by all Family Support stakeholders as a tool for planning, providing, and evaluating quality services.

The Family Support Standards were first developed by the Evaluation Committee and reviewed and approved by the membership of the SFFSN in January 2007. They have subsequently been revised each year based on feedback through an annual review process. The Family Support Standards were created by the San Francisco Family Support Network (SFFSN) to define how the nine principles of Family Support developed by Family Support America are applied programmatically.

The Standards were developed by the Evaluation Committee and reviewed and approved by the membership of the SFFSN in January 2007, which includes Family Support providers, public departments, and private foundations. The Family Support Standards are designed to be used by all of these stakeholders as a tool for planning, providing, and evaluating quality services.


STANDARDS,INDICATORS,ANDEXAMPLES

INDICATORSEach Standard includes indicators of both Minimum Quality and High Quality. The Minimum Quality indictors demonstrate the basic application of the Standard. The High Quality indicators build upon the Minimum Quality indicators being met first.

For the Family Centeredness, Diversity, and Community Building sections, High Quality indicators illustrate a deeper level of applica-tion of the Standard by demonstrating one or more of the following elements:

• aformalstructureforimplementationofthestandard

• Stafftrainingtosupporttheimplementationofthestandard

• and/orfamilyinvolvementinimplementationofthestandard

For the Evaluation Standards, High Quality indicators demonstrate one or more of the following elements:

• dataanalysis

• sharingoutevaluationresults

• and/orProgrammodification

Usedforthe Evaluat ion sect ion

MINIMUM

QUALITY

INDICATOR

HIGH

QUALITY

INDICATOR

-DATA ANALYSIS

-SHARING OUT

-PROGRAM MODIFICATION

MINIMUM

QUALITY

INDICATOR

HIGH

QUALITY

INDICATOR

-FORMAL STRUCTURE

-STAFF TRAINING

-FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

Usedforthe Fami ly Centeredness, Divers i ty,

Community Bui ld ing, & Evaluat ion sect ions

STANDARDSThe Standards are organized into four sections:

A.FAMILYCENTEREDNESSB.DIVERSITYC.COMMUNITYBUILDINGD.EVALUATION.

EXAMPLESExamples are used to illustrate the indicators and are not limited to the ones cited. There are many other creative ways of demonstrating the indicators.


APPLYINGTHEFAMILYSUPPORTSTANDARDS

Whether you are setting up a new Program 1 or strengthening an existing one, the Family Support Standards provide a blueprint for implementing best practice. Meeting the Minimum Quality indicators will create a Family Support Program with a solid base. Programs are encouraged to strive to meet the High Quality indicators in order to serve families most effectively.

The Standards are designed to be implemented within a reason-able scope of resources of a Family Support Program, which may include leveraged resources from other providers.

Successful application of the Standards requires commitment and training of all levels of Program responsibility — Executive Directors, Managers, Coordinators, Direct Service Staff, and Families. Each has a key role to play. As you review the Standards, think about whom you would need to work with to implement them.

The SFFSN is committed to providing technical assistance and training to its members to support their successful implementa-tion of the Standards including:

• FamilySupportStandardsCertificationtrainings

• Workshopsonpromisingandbestpracticesformember-prioritized topicsrelatedtotheStandards

• Individualcoachingandconfidentialtechnicalassistance

Please visit www.sffsn.org or contact the SFFSN for more informa-tion at [email protected] or (415) 934-4837.

1.“Program”isanentitydesignedtoprovideFamilySupportsuchasagency,department,

FamilyResourceCenter,etc.Itmayprovideoneserviceorbecomprisedofmultipleservices

oractivities.


A.FAMILYCENTEREDNESS

Family Centeredness is the foundation upon which the Principles of Family Support, the Family Support Standards, and Family Support Programs are based. A Family Support Program is any entity designed to provide Family Support such as an agency, department, Family Resource Center, etc. It may provide one service or be comprised of multiple services or activities.

A Family Support Program is of, by, and for the community/population served. Families are valued as central to the Program, including how activities and services are developed and imple-mented, how the environment is designed, how relationships with them are developed, how their issues are addressed, and how they are encouraged to support each other.

Activities and services are developed in response to the needs of families. Staff and families create a mutually respectful partner-ship in which both bring strengths and skills to work together to solve problems and create opportunities for success. This is a paradigm shift to a strengths-based model from a deficit model in which staff were expected to be the experts fixing “problem” families. Staff and families develop ongoing relationships with each other.

Recognizing families as significant resources for each other, the Program facilitates opportunities for families to build relationships and develop networks of mutual support. Services are designed to include the whole family rather than an individual member, which supports better outcomes for children and caregivers.

The Program models family-centeredness with staff and in its related administrative practices, considering staff’s own Family Support needs such as childcare, flexible schedules for working parents, and dependent benefits.

This section reflects Family Support Principles 1, 2, 3, 7 and 9.

StandardA.1ProgramEncouragesFamiliestoParticipateinProgramDevelopmentandImplementationStandardA.2ProgramisaccessibleandwelcomingtofamiliesStandardA.3ProgramoutreachestoandsustainsongoingrelationshipswithfamiliesStandardA.4Programrecognizesandaffirmsfamilies’strengthsandisresponsivetotheirneedsStandardA.5ProgramrecognizesfamiliesassignificantresourcesfortheirownfamilymembersandeachotherStandardA.6Programmodelsfamily-centerednesswithstaffandinitsrelatedadministrativepractices

SFFSN Family Support Standards // 4/7/2011 Edition Section A: Family Centeredness // 9

A. 1.1//Minimum Quality Indicator

Program solicits input from families to shape and plan the Program and/or services.

FamilyCenteredness:StandardA.1

Program Encourages Families to Participate in Program Development and Implementation

A. 1.1//High Quality Indicator

Program’s design supports families to have an active role in the development and implementa-tion of the Program.

Examples:

• Methodsofcollectingfamilies’inputareusedsuchassurveys,focusgroups,and/orinterviews

• Feedbackisusedtodevelopormodifyservices

Examples:

• ProgramhasaParentAdvisoryCommitteewhichmeetsregularly

• Participantsfacilitateorco-facilitateprogramactivities

• Participantsareincludedaspartofanemployeehiringprocess



Program structure allows for variation of service delivery (such as time, location, and method) in order to meet the unique needs or circumstances of families.

Examples:

• Programincreasesintensityofservicesintimesofgreaterneedsuchasfamilycrises

• ProgrammakesvisitsatotherlocationsthatareaccessibletofamilieswhoareunabletovisitProgramoffice,suchashomes,hospitals,andschools

Examples:

• Program’shoursofoperationareaccessibletofamilies

• Programislocatedinaspacethatisreadilyaccessibletofamiliesbypublictransportationorwalking

• Programisphysicallyaccessibletofamilieswithspecialneeds


Program offers services at an accessible place and time convenient to families.


Program is Accessible and Welcoming to Families

Examples:

• FamiliesmaintainProgramplayroom

• Familiesareinvolvedinmakingimprovementstotheprogramenvironment

• Parentvolunteersgreetotherparentsatevents

Examples:

• Staffgreetfamiliesinahelpful,welcomingway

• Programhasawell-maintainedandchild-friendlyreceptionareawithresourcematerialsforfamiliesthatisstaffedduringopenhours

• Programprovideschildcareforfamiliesduringaparentingworkshop


Program engages families to help maintain/develop a family-welcoming environment, pro-moting their sense of ownership of the Program.


Program creates a family-welcoming environment.


Examples:

• Programconductshomevisitstoisolatedfamilies

• Programoutreachestofamiliesatschools,WICoffices,andcommunityclinics

• Programoffersincentivestoencouragehardtoreachfamiliestoparticipate

• Staffandparticipantsaretrainedtodooutreachtoisolatedfamilies

Examples:

• Programoutreachestofamiliesinthecommunity

• Programpublicizesitsservicesthroughfreemediapublicserviceannouncements

• Programhasaboothacommunityfair


Program has intentional strategies to provide outreach and information to potential par-ticipants who are isolated and/or hard to reach.


Program provides outreach and information to potential participants.


Program Outreaches to and Sustains Ongoing Relationships with Families

Examples:

• ProgramhasasystemtofollowupwithfamilieswhohaveexitedtheProgram.

• Programmaintainsamailinglistthatincludespastparticipantsandsendsmonthlyactivitiesflyerstothem

Examples:

• Pastprogramparticipantsarewelcometoreturn

• Staffinvitefamiliestoparticipateinmultipleprogramactivities.


Program has a system in place to engage families on an ongoing basis.


Program is available for families to participate on an ongoing basis.


Examples:

• Methodsofassessmentreflectfamilystrengths

• Staffaretrainedhowtorecognizefamilystrengths

• Staffconductintakeinterviewswhichrecordfamilystrengths

Examples:

• Staffareabletoarticulatehowtheyrecognizeandaffirmfamilystrengths

• Familiesareinformedthatallstaffwillhonortheirprivacyandconfidentiality

• Familiesreceiveawards,certificates,orotherrecognitionfortheirachievements


Staff work with family members in relationships based on equality and respect and have a mea-surable method to identify and document their strengths, resources, and past successes.


Staff work with family members in relationships based on equality and respect to identify their existing strengths, resources, and past successes.


Program Recognizes and Affirms Families’ Strengths and is Responsive to their Needs

Examples:

• TheintakeincludesfamiliesidentifyingtheirneedsandgoalsandtheProgram’sassessmentofpresentingneeds.

• Staffworkwithfamiliestodevelopserviceplanstogether.

• Staffhaveperiodiccheck-inmeetingswithfami-liesandsuggestserviceoptionstothem

• Ongoingfamily-involvedteammeetings(family-centered,teamdriven)areheldthatincludeotheragencyandcommunityserviceprovidersinvolvedwiththefamily

Examples:

• Staffdiscussserviceneedswithfamilies

• Familieshaveavoiceinhowtheirneedsareaddressed


Program has a formal process to gather data about families’ needs and facilitate their access to other service providers.


Program engages families in determining their own needs and matches services to them includ-ing connecting them with other service provid-ers, informal supports, or other families and individuals as needed.


Examples:

• ProgramcreatesopportunitiesforparticipationfrommultiplefamilymemberssuchasaHalloweenparty,FamilyLiteracyNight,orFamilyMovieNight.

• Programhasrecordswhichindicateparticipationfromarangeoffamilymembers

• Programhasongoingengagementofmultiplefamilymembers

Examples:

• Programconductsoutreachtotheentirefamily

• Flyersindicatethatmultiplefamilymembersarewelcome


Program designs activities, events, and/or services that are intended for multiple family members and demonstrates that they participate in them.


Program recognizes the importance of engaging multiple family members and encourages their participation in program activities.


Program Recognizes Families as Significant Resources for their Own Family Members and Each Other

Examples:

• Programhasaresourceboardforfamiliestoshareinformationwitheachother

• Programprovidesresourcesforfamiliestocreatetheirownnetworking,resourcesharing,andsocialsupportopportunities

• Programprovidesspaceforactivitiesplannedbyfamilies

• Familiesareaskedtodesignandimplementaspecialeventtogether

Examples:

• Programfacilitatesevents,gatherings,ormeet-ingsthatgivefamiliestheopportunitytoconnectwitheachother

• Programhassupportgroupsorpeer-to-peermentorship


Program facilitates families to create their own opportunities for networking, resource sharing, and social support.


Program facilitates opportunities for families to connect with each other.


Examples:

• Programoffersflexibleschedulestoaccommo-dateworkingparents

• ProgramhasaprogramthatstaffandtheirfamiliesarewelcometoparticipateintrainingsofferedbytheProgramsuchasparentingeduca-tionandfinancialmanagement

• Programhasamenuofbenefitstoaddressvari-ousfamilyneedssuchasmedicalbenefits,pre-taxflexiblespendingaccountsforchildcareneeds,etc.

Examples:

• Staffretreatsandtrainingsareplannednottoconflictwithfamilytime

• Staffarewelcometobringtheirfamiliestoaholidayparty

• Staffaresurveyedtodeterminetheirfamilysupportneeds

• Programcreatesanenvironmentinwhichstaffcanfeelcomfortabletosharetheirfamilysupportneeds


Program has family supportive policies, procedures, and/or benefits for staff.


Program demonstrates that it considers the family support needs of staff.


Program Models Family-Centeredness with Staff and in its Related Administrative Practices


B.DIVERSITY

Understanding and respecting families’ diversity, including cultural traditions, languages, values, socio-economic status, family structures, and individual abilities, is essential to being able to serve them effectively. Because there are many aspects of diversity, even families with similar backgrounds may also differ in numerous ways.

The Program sees families’ diversity as both an important part of their identities and a strength to be affirmed. Furthermore, in order to thrive and fully participate in a diverse society, both staff and families need to be able to have meaningful interactions with those who differ from them.

This section reflects Family Support Principle 4.

StandardB.1Programacknowledgesandrespectsthediversityoffami-lies,includingtheirculturaltraditions,languages,values,socio-economicstatus,familystructures,andindividualabili-ties,andenhancestheirpartici-pationinadiversesociety.StandardB.2Staffacknowledgeandrespectthediversityoffamilies,includ-ingtheirculturaltraditions,languages,values,socio-eco-nomicstatus,familystructures,andindividualabilities,andenhancestheirparticipationinadiversesociety.

SFFSN Family Support Standards // 4/7/2011 Edition Section B: Diversity // 16

Examples:

• Programintentionallyemploysavarietyofstaffskilledatworkingwithandreflectingmul-tipleaspectsofthediversityofthepopulation(s)servedsuchasmalesandfemales,parentsandgrandparents

• ParentAdvisoryCommitteeisdesignedtorepresentmultipleaspectsofthediversityofthepopulation(s)servedsuchasmothers,fathers,andgrandparents

• Throughareflectiveprocess,Programdevelopsandexecutesanactionplantoincorporatemultipleaspectsofthediversityofthefamiliesserved

Examples:

• Flyers,signs,posters,andbrochuresareinthelanguage(s)ofthefamiliesservedandareculturally-relevant

• Servicesareofferedinthelanguage(s)ofthefamiliesserved

• Programcalendarincludesculturalcelebrationsofthefamiliesserved

B. 1.1//High Quality Indicator

Program develops and executes intentional strategies to strengthen their work with diverse families.

B. 1.1//Minimum Quality Indicator

Program demonstrates awareness of and reflects the diversity of families served.

Diversity:StandardB.1

Program Acknowledges and Respects the Diversity of Families, Including their Cultural Traditions, Languages, Values, Socio-Economic Status, Family Structures, and Individual Abilities, and Enhances their Participation in a Diverse Society.

Examples:

• Programprovidesopportunitiesforfamiliesofdifferentbackgroundstoidentifyareasofcommongroundandtoacceptandvaluedifferences.

• Programorganizesafieldtripforfamiliestoaneventhostedbyacommunitydifferentfromthem

• Programsupportsfamiliestoplanamulticul-turalcelebration

Examples:

• Programhostsculturaleventsorcelebrationsofthepopulation(s)served

• Programprovidesopportunitiesforpeoplewhosharecommonidentitiestocometogether


Program designs and delivers activities and/or services that support families’ participation in a diverse and multicultural society.


Program affirms families’ identities, experiences, and abilities within the population(s) served.

SFFSN Family Support Standards // 4/7/2011 Edition Section B: Diversity // 17

Examples:

• Programhaseventsandactivitiesthatbringstafftogetherforthepurposeofsharingandvalu-ingdifferences

• Programprovidesongoingstaffdevelopmentondiversityissues

• Programseeksoutmultipleresourcestoenhancestaffcompetencywithissuesofdiversity

Examples:

• Staffhavesimilarbackgroundstothepopulation(s)served

• Staffhavedemonstratedworkorlifeexperi-encewiththepopulation(s)served


Staff are supported by the Program’s intentional opportunities to strengthen their self-awareness, sensitivity, and skills for working in a diverse and multicultural society.


Staff demonstrate understanding of and sensitiv-ity toward the backgrounds, experiences, and abilities of the families served.

Diversity:StandardB.2

Staff Acknowledge and Respect the Diversity of Families, Including their Cultural Traditions, Languages, Values, Socio-Economic Status, Family Structures, and Individual Abilities, and Enhances their Participation in a Diverse Society


C.COMMUNITYBUILDING

The Program makes a critical contribution to building a strong and healthy community by supporting and strengthening families within it. Furthermore, families are encouraged to take respon-sibility for the Program, their community, and to address their needs within various systems such as education, health care, and government. Through this process, families build their capacity to solve problems, address common issues, and create a connected community. This process also ensures that families have the tools to sustain and/or advocate for the Program to continue even if resources (e.g. funding, staff, space) were to change.

The Program develops and leverages collaborative partnerships to connect families with services as well as to improve outcomes for them and their community.

This section reflects Family Support Principles 5 and 6.

StandardC.1Programisinvolvedinandengagesfamiliesinthecommu-nitybuildingprocess.

StandardC.2Programbuildscollaborativerelationshipsandleveragesresourcesforfamilies.

SFFSN Family Support Standards // 4/7/2011 Edition Section C: Community Building // 19

Examples:

• Astaffpersonisamemberofacommunitycommitteeregardingsafety,housing,etc.andreportsaboutitatstaffmeetings

• Staffworkwithintheirorganization’sappropri-atelegalparametersforadvocacytorepresenttheneedsofthefamiliesserved.

• Programorganizesaneventtoaddresscom-munityissuessuchascommunityhealthfair,ormeetingwithanelectedofficial.

Examples:

• Programprovidesinformationaboutcommunityissuesthroughacommunitynewsbulletinboard

• Staffattendacommunitymeetingregardingsafety,housing,etc.

• Programdistributesfliersaboutcommunityfairs

C. 1.1//High Quality Indicator

Program has a formal structure to be engaged in addressing community issues.

C. 1.1//Minimum Quality Indicator

Program is aware of and provides information to families about community issues and activities.

CommunityBuilding:StandardC.1

Program is Involved in and Engages Families in the Community Building Process

Examples:

• Programprovidesaleadershipskillsdevelop-mentworkshopforfamilies

• Staffaretrainedandsupportedtofacilitatefamilies’leadershipdevelopment

• FamilieshaveleadershiprolesintheProgram’sactivitiessuchasthroughaParentAdvisoryCommitteeorservingasBoardmembers

Examples:

• Staffprovideinformationtofamiliesabouthowtonavigatesystemssuchasschools,healthcare,andgovernmentdepartments.

• Programprovidesfamilieswithapublicschoolenrollmentguidebrochure

• Programinvitesapresentertoconductawork-shopforfamiliesonhowtoaccesshealthcare


Program has a formal structure to support the development of families’ community leadership skills.


Program shares information with families about how to advocate for themselves to address their needs.

SFFSN Family Support Standards // 4/7/2011 Edition Section C: Community Building // 20

Examples:

• Programdevelopscollaborativepartnershipstoprovideacontinuumofcareforfamiliesthataddressesservicegapsandavoidsduplication.

• Programworksinpartnershipwithotherorga-nizationstodevelopinitiativestoaddressemergingcommunityissues

• Inpartnershipwithotherserviceproviders,Programplansitsservicestocomplement,ratherthanduplicateexistingservices

Examples:

• Staffintroducethemselvestoandfamiliarizethemselveswithotherserviceproviders

• Staffparticipateinmeetingswithotherserviceproviders

• StaffsendoutProgramserviceinformationtootherserviceproviders


Program has formal partnerships with other service providers to collaboratively address families’ needs.


Program is aware of and works with other service providers and/or community groups to share resources and information.

CommunityBuilding:StandardC.2

Program Builds Collaborative Relationships and Leverages Resources for Families


D.EVALUATION

Evaluation is the process of assessing what works and what needs to be improved. In order to ensure that the Program is best meeting the needs of participants, it is essential that it adopt methods of self-monitoring and self-correction to improve services and practices.

Staff recognize the importance of continual feedback from families in order to customize their services to meet the unique and changing needs of the community/population served.

Evaluation includes monitoring Program participation, quality, and outcomes. High quality evaluation incorporates the act of analyzing data, sharing results, and modifying the Program accordingly.

This section reflects Family Support Principles 8 and 9.

StandardD.1ProgrammonitorsProgramparticipation.

StandardD.2ProgrammonitorsProgramquality.

StandardD.3ProgrammonitorsProgramoutcomes.

SFFSN Family Support Standards // 4/7/2011 Edition Section D: Evaluation // 22

Examples:

• Programutilizesadatabasesystemwhichgen-eratesreportsofparticipation,participantcharac-teristics,andattendance

• Staffaretrainedandresponsibleformaintainingadatabasesystem,andproducingandanalyzingreports

• Programroutinelyanalyzesparticipantdatareportsinrelationtoitsgoalsandobjectives

• ModificationsaremadetotheProgramasaresultoftheProgram’sreflectivelearning

Examples:

• Programusesasign-insheetforProgramactivities

• Programrecordsprogresstowardscontract/grantparticipationtargets

• ProgramhasadatabasetotrackparticipantcharacteristicsandProgramservices(e.g.ExCelworksheet,Accessdatabase,funderdatabase,etc.)

• ProgramutilizesanintakeformthatcapturesparticipantcharacteristicsrelevanttotheProgram(e.g.ethnicity,economicstatus,gender,age,familysize,neighborhoodresidence,etc.)

D. 1.1//High Quality Indicator

Program has a system in place to analyze participant characteristics, Program activities, and service utilization in relation to its goals and objectives. Appropriate Program modifications are made as a result.

D. 1.1//Minimum Quality Indicator

Program has tools in place to track participant characteristics, Program activities and service utilization.

Evaluation:StandardD.1

Program Monitors Program Participation



Program conducts a self-assessment at least annually, utilizing the SFFSN Program Self-Assessment Tool and analyzing the results. Appropriate Program modifications are made as a result.

Examples:

• Annualreviewmeetingincorporatesreflectiononresultswithinthecontextofresearch-basedpractices

• Programprovidesprofessionaldevelopmentforstafftoaddressareasofneededserviceimprove-mentand/orenhancements


Examples:

• StaffaretrainedonandabletoimplementtheSFFSNProgramSelf-AssessmentTool

• StaffholdanannualProgramreviewmeetingtocompletetheSFFSNProgramSelf-AssessmentTool


Program conducts annual self-assessment utiliz-ing the SFFSN Program Self-Assessment Tool.


Program Monitors Program Quality


Program routinely analyzes families’ feedback regarding Program quality and reflects on it in partnership with families. Appropriate Program modifications are made as a result.

Examples:

• FeedbackisdiscussedwithProgram’sParentAdvisoryCommittee

• FeedbackissharedinaProgramnewsletter

• ResultsofSFFSNparticipantassessmentsurveyaresharedwithfamilies


Examples:

• Methodsofcollectingfamilies’feedbackareinplacesuchassurveys,focusgroups,andinterviews

• ProgramutilizestheSFFSNparticipantassess-mentsurvey


Program invites and records families’ feedback regarding program quality and satisfaction with services.


Examples:

• Programhasbeenevaluatedbyanoutsideevaluatorandcanprovidethesummary/results

• Programcanassessimpactthroughthesynthesisofmultipleevaluationmeasures

• Programutilizesassessmentandevaluationdatatocontinuouslyreviewandrefineitsactivities,poli-cies,staffing,andprofessionaldevelopment

Examples:

• Programrecordsprogresstowardscontract/grantoutcomes

• Programidentifiesandtracksparticipantout-comesrelevanttoitsservices

• Programadministerspreandposttestsforparenteducationseries


Program routinely analyzes outcome results in relation to Program participation and Program quality, and shares this information with stake-holders. Appropriate Program modifications are made as a result.


Program collects participant and Program outcomes (changes in knowledge, behavior, attitude, skills or condition.)


Program Monitors Program Outcomes

The San Francisco Family Support Network was founded in 2004 as a unique partnership of the stakeholders in the Family Support field: families, community-based organizations, public depart-ments, and private foundations. Its mission is to work collectively to achieve quality programs, coordination of resources, and poli-cies that support all San Francisco families.

For more information about the San Francisco Family Support Network, please see www.sffsn.org or e-mail [email protected]

FAMILY SUPPORT STANDARDS€¦ · A Family Support Program is of, by, and for the community/...

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