Austin Voices works with campus staff to help parents grow as advocates for their children’s education.

Trainings include:

  • Community Block Leaders and Promotoras (Community Health Workers)

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, Austin Voices expanded its Community Block Leader program to include weekly zoom trainings. Currently, over 140 AISD parents take part in the CBL program, with 32 of them having become state-certified Promotoras (Community Health Workers). Block Leaders and Promotoras are trained on community resources, including health, housing, employment and legal, while also developing projects to support their children’s campuses. Many of them have become active PTA members and officers. On average, block leaders reach out to 10 families with resource information weekly. Block Leaders and Promotoras also volunteer annually at dozens of immunization and health insurance enrollment clinics, resource fairs and other community events. They also organize teacher appreciation activities, as well as help facilitate small groups during community school planning events. Austin Voices provides stipends and gift cards to participants to honor their work, and helps block leaders grow employability skills. Community Block Leaders and Promotoras also are members of AVEY’s Parent Advisory Board, helping steer the work of Austin Voices.

    For information about AVEY’s Community Block Leader and Promotora program, contact Naomi Caballero at ncaballero@austinvoices.org or Julie Weeks at jweeks@austinvoices.org

  • The Right Question Project

    Over the past 14 years, Austin Voices has trained hundreds of parents using a national evidence-based strategy called the Right Question Project. This parent engagement strategy teaches parents how to support, monitor and advocate for their children using a question formulation strategy. Parents who complete the program are equipped to navigate the complexities of school, and to get the information they need to make informed decisions for their children.

    During each RQP session, parents practice formulating questions around a particular topic of interest, such as attendance, college access, special education, or homework. Parents also practice becoming presenters and facilitators, and many have gone on to lead RQP sessions for other parents. The Right Question Project is offered in English and Spanish.

    Contact Julie Weeks at julie.weeks@austinisd.org for information about bringing this curriculum to your campus.

  • School Improvement Teams

    Austin Voices believes that parents need to be involved in authentic ways in any and all school improvement efforts. Working in the Northeast, Navarro and Eastside  Vertical Teams, Austin Voices involves parents in Community School planning through dinners, surveys and planning teams. Parents are also trained to become small group facilitators at planning events, using the house meeting model.

    For information about how to involve parents in school improvement planning, contact Julie Weeks at jweeks@austinvoices.org.

  • Adult Academy Classes and Workshops through AVEY Family Resource Centers

    Austin Voices offers a number of other supports for parents organized through its Adult Academy classes and workshops. These include Love and Logic classes, adult education (ESL, GED, Computer Literacy, Financial Literacy, school completion in Spanish), nutrition, parenting, workforce development and other topics. Many of these trainings are offered in collaboration with the campus Parent Support Specialist and community partners.

     

    Click here for AVEY’s Spring 2024 Adult Academy catalog, with registration information.

    For more information about parent training through AVEY Family Resource Centers, contact Julie Weeks at julie.weeks@austinisd.org.