Unpacking the Impact
A CCS monthly publication of ESSER endeavors
A CCS Monthly Publication of ESSER Endeavors Volume 2, Edition 1
September, 2023
Family & Community Engagement
FAMILY AMBASSADORS
What is a Family Ambassador? Our dedicated Family Ambassadors:
(1) serve as liaisons between school and home, facilitating a partnership in support of student academic achievements. [Learning at Home]
(2) coach and mentors families on how to be engaged members of the academic team. [Relationships with Families]
(3) advise and train families on how to address issues and advocate on behalf of their children’s education. [Decision Making & Advocacy]
(4) connect families to community-based services, school counselors, and/or social workers. [Community Collaboration]
(5) expand volunteer opportunities. [Volunteering]
(6) maintain open communications with families regarding important school information (i.e. email, family bulletin board, newsletter, etc.). [Effective Communication]
BILINGUAL ENGAGEMENT LIAISONS (BELs)
The work of our Bilingual Engagement Liaisons is is rooted in the Office of Engagement and aligned with the mission of the Department of Communications & Engagement. Our BELs serve as bridge-builders and liaisons and assist families in navigating the educational system. They do home visits, phone calls, and meet in-person at the schools and/or the community.
This work might include (but not limited to) meeting with EL families related to parent/student success, such as:
- Academics
- Matriculation and graduation
- Attendance challenges
- Technology
- SEL
- Parent Portal
- Access to CCS
- Community services
- Facilitating family support as identified by a school attendance team (social workers)
- Assisting principals on school-wide events (Open Houses but not Parent-Teacher Conferences)
- Providing support on district-led event/initiatives through the Engagement Office.
And that's not all our Bilingual Engagement Liaisons do! They directly support and impact ELLs' daily attendance. The 12 District Bilingual Engagement Liaisons increased ELL attendance by 21% compared to all students in SY 2022-2023. This was accomplished through targeted outreach to non-English speaking families.
12 Bilingual Engagement Liaisons:
- 4 Spanish BELs supporting 5,058 Spanish speaking families
- 2 Somali/Maay Maay BELs supporting 1,453 Somali/Maay Maay speaking families
- 2 Nepali BELs supporting 588 Nepali speaking families
- 1 Arabic speaking BEL supporting 403 Arabic speaking families
- 1 French speaking BEL supporting 312 French speaking families
- 1 Pasto/Dari speaking BEL supporting Pasto/Dari speaking families
- 1 Portuguese speaking BEL supporting Portuguese speaking families
Family and Community Engagement is a small but mighty team! Using ESSER funds, this small group has grown to include Family Ambassadors in every Columbus City School. These Family Ambassadors are vital in creating lasting home-school connections. Since the return to pre-pandemic teaching and learning, the Family Ambassadors have been hard at work identifying students and families who have needs, help put families in touch with community resources, and create relationships with school personnel, students, families and community members. These unsung heros receive continued learning and development through the monthly Family Ambassador meetings where the focus is on the six types of support they give:
- learning at home
- relationships with families
- decision-making & advocacy
- community collaboration
- volunteering
- effective communication
Bilingual Family Liaisons
BELs are critical to the engagement of our non-English speaking families and community members.
It's more than just meetings!
Family Ambassadors & BELs help implement family nights and engage families in the learning happening at school.
Family Ambassadors
Family Ambassadors are now in every school within the district because of ESSER funding. ESSER funding also helps pay for their continued training and development. BELs are strategically placed and used as families need throughout the district.
Community Engagement: Making an Impact
Past Community Outreach Events
3700 S. High Street
Office of Transformation & Leadership
Data Support Coordinator
thelmbrecht6433@columbus.k12.oh.us
380.997.0787