Elevating Family Voice
Family Partnership Framework
Strong partnerships between a family and health professionals is essential for effective services. This framework focuses on the importance of collaboration, mutual respect, and shared decision-making. Families bring valuable expertise about their needs, while professionals contribute knowledge and resources. A partnership model helps programs and services be more responsive, inclusive, and better aligned with the unique needs of families. A partnership between these two groups ensures that services are wholistic, multigenerational, culturally sensitive, and are tailored to the real needs of the community.
Key Success
- Collaboration is a Two-Way Street: The strength of partnerships lies in creating a collaborative environment where both families and professionals are co-creators, not just participants.
- Sustainability: Embedding family partnership efforts into the fabric of the organization ensures relationships are sustained and evolve over time. Include policies and funding for compensating family partners.
- Equity and Inclusion: Ensure partnerships are inclusive and sensitive to the diverse needs of families, especially those from marginalized or underserved communities.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: Regularly review and adapt partnership practices to ensure they remain responsive to the evolving needs of families and the program.
Family Partnership Directory
Helps connect professionals with family partners. We will do our best to match family partners with professionals based on the details provided. Our goal is to ensure partnerships are successful for everyone involved.
Becoming a Family Leader in the Family Partnership Directory
Thank you for your interest in joining the Directory and offering your experience as a Family Partner. Your responses to the Family Partnership Directory Form will help us find the best placement for you when an opportunity arises. Please be clear about the skills you want to highlight and the types of family partnership opportunities you're interested in. We will use this to match you with a professional or agency and will contact you when a suitable opportunity comes in.
Request to be Connected with a Family Partner
Thank you for seeking input from family and parent partners. We understand family partnerships are key to the success of program design, implementation, and improvement. Trained family leaders across Maine are excited to help at all levels! When you equest a family leader, it's like asking for help from an expert consultant. We will try to match your program with a family leader who has the right knowledge and experience. Our goal is to ensure the family leader's skills help your program succeed.
Family Partnership Readiness Assessments and Resources
For a copy of our Family Partnership Framework, email MCH.CDC@maine.gov
Family Voices
- Family Engagement in Systems (FES) Toolkit (PDF)
- Family Engagement in Systems Change: Assessment Tool (FESAT) User Guide (PDF)
Centers for the Study of Social Policy and the EC-LINC Outcomes and Metrics Initiative
The Annie E Casey Foundation
Eileen Forlenza, Activating Casual Leadership - Progression of Leadership
- Progression of Leadership: Self-Assessment for Agencies (PDF)
- Progression of Leadership: Self-Assessment for Families (PDF)
- Progression of Leadership: Self-Assessment for Health Care Providers (PDF)
Training Opportunities:
If you need further assistance, contact:
Maine CDC, Maternal and Child Health Program
Attn: Family Leadership Liaison
Email: MCH.CDC@maine.gov
Phone: 207-287-5357
TTY: Maine Relay 711
Fax: 207-287-5355