Family-School Partnerships in Early Childhood Education

Dates: March 27, 2025

Meets: Th from 8:45 AM to 12 N

Location: ONLINE - Live

COURSE: $59.00

Sorry, we are no longer accepting registrations for this course. Please contact our office to find out if it will be rescheduled, or if alternative classes are available.

Description
Fees
Location

Course Description

This course is offered free of charge to all MDHHS child welfare and family preservation workers and supervisors, and MDHHS-contracted private agencies child welfare and family preservation workers and supervisors on a first come, first served basis.

This training will offer child welfare professionals an in-depth look at creating inclusive, family-centered early childhood programs by leveraging innovative service delivery models, collaborative partnerships, and empowering family engagement practices. We'll explore how community partnerships enhance service options, provide families with autonomy, and build a network of support. The training will also focus on combating power dynamics in early learning environments, with practical strategies to promote trust, dignity, respect, and meaningful family engagement. Finally, attendees will discover ways to leverage parent expertise, integrating parents into program planning and creating peer-learning opportunities that foster a true partnership mindset. Through hands-on exercises and real-world examples, participants will gain actionable insights to support and uplift families, creating a more equitable, responsive, and family-centered approach to early childhood education.

Course Level: Beginner

Objectives:

Understand complex service delivery options in early childhood education such as multi-tiered funding models, collaborative partnerships, and specialized roles for family engagement.
Identify three ways to combat power dynamics in the education system.
Understand how to leverage parent expertise and grow a partnership mindset.

Instructor

Tara Gwamna, MSW

After earning her bachelor's degree in psychology and family studies from Central Michigan University (Fire Up Chips!) and a master's degree in social work from the University of Southern California, she discovered the profound impact early childhood education can have on children, families, and communities. Over the past eight years, Tara has focused on macro-level systems change in early childhood, building family engagement teams and expanding services in areas like Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Battle Creek. Since joining the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids just over a year ago, she has made significant strides, successfully developing and writing grant proposals awarded at over $2 million for early childhood programs. Tara is also a key contributor to the Grand Rapids Southeast Promise Neighborhood Project, working on sustainability plans for cradle-to-career initiatives including early learning and family community engagement. Tara also leads a growing and complex family engagement team that spans over six organizations offering high quality early childhood education in the greater Grand Rapids areas.

Tara is a wife, mother, and has two naughty fur children. Outside of work, she enjoys walking, game nights with friends, and baking. Tara also has a self-proclaimed obsession with reality television, especially the Real Housewives franchise.

Location

Online via Zoom. You will receive the link to the Zoom meeting in an email three days before your event.

Special Accommodations

Please contact our office regarding any accommodations you may need prior to attending our program(s). We will work with you to ensure your needs are met. You may email us at learn@gvsu.edu, or call us at (616) 331-7180.

To view our policies, please visit: www.gvsu.edu/learn/policies

Grand Valley State University School of Social Work, an accredited social work education program, is authorized by Administrative Rule 338.2963 to award Michigan social work continuing education contact hours.