Parent Representatives Needed

Tuesday, January 3, 2017
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

The Council currently has openings for at least two Parent Representatives. 
The following information explains the role and responsibilities of a Parent Representative for the Richland County Youth and Family Council.

 Please contact Teresa Alt via email at teresa.alt@jfs.ohio.gov or by phone at 419-774-5442 with names and other pertinent information of interested potential Parent Representatives.  Teresa will then contact these individuals with additional information.
Excerpt ORC 121.37 – Council Mandated Membership(a) At least three individuals who are not employed by an agency represented on the council and whose families are or have received services from an agency represented on the council or another county’s council. Where possible, the number of members representing families shall be equal to twenty per cent of the council’s membership.
 Parent Representative Responsibilities:

 The Ohio Family and Children First Initiative promotes coordination and collaboration among state and local governments, non-profit organizations, business and families for the express benefit of Ohio’s families. To provide family-friendly, efficient and effective services family representatives are needed to serve on the Richland County Youth and Family Council as the parents’ voice.

 A family representative should be receiving or have received services from an agency represented on the Richland County Youth and Family Council. The primary role of the family representative is to encourage parents/consumer to become effective at advocating for all children and families in Richland County be working in partnership with public and private agencies.  The Council understands that parents are busy supporting their families.  We invite and strongly encourage parents to participate in the following activities:

  • Attend county, regional, and state meetings; serve on committees;
  • Assist in educating the public about Council goals and activities;
  • Promote family involvement in identify service gaps and assist in designing better services for families to fill those gaps;
  • Serve as a liaison between the community and the Council;
  • Advocate for parents in the community about current issues that impact families such as school levies, child abuse and neglect, quality childcare and early intervention to name just a few;
  • Give updates to Council on family involvement and consumer concerns;
  • Empower and educate other parents in the community of the importance of nurturing young children and the importance of prenatal care;
  • Promote parental involvement to assist in solving community concerns by participating in community association meetings, voting in local and state elections, and raising concerns at all appropriate venues.

Questions to ask a prospective Parent Representative:

  1. Is your family currently receiving services from a Council agency? (Roster of mandated Council agencies is attached)
  2. If not currently when did your family receive services from a Council agency?

Which one(s) and approximate year(s)?

  1. Where/are you pleased with the services that you are receiving/received?
  2. Do you believe that there are existing gaps in services available in Richland County for children and families?

 




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