UTILIZING THE STANDARDS

Some examples of the ways various stakeholders can utilize the Standards include:

• Family Strengthening and Support Programs can use the Standards as a blueprint for implementing best practices, whether they are setting up a new Program or strengthening an existing one. Programs can use the Standards for self-assessment and to demonstrate the quality of their work with families. 

• Direct Service Staff can use the Standards to enhance their work with families.

• Programs can use the Standards as a blueprint for implementing best practices, whether they are setting up a new Program or strengthening an existing one. The Program Implementation Continuum illustrates how a Program works with the Standards over time in an ongoing multistep process.  

• Networks of Family Strengthening and Support Providers can use the Standards as a tool for quality assurance and capacity building for network members. Networks can adopt the Standards as a criterion for membership. The Network Implementation Continuum illustrates how a Network works with the Standards over time in an ongoing multistep process.

• Policy Makers can endorse the Standards for application in their areas of influence.

• Funders can adopt the Standards for use in requests for proposals, program monitoring, and quality assurance.

• Families can partner with Programs to apply the Standards. Families can provide feedback about how well a Program is applying the Standards.

IMPLEMENTATION TOOLS

The Standards are part of a suite of materials that are used for their implementation. It is strongly recommended that teams complete the Standards Certification Training before using the tools in order to maximize their efficacy and value.
 

• Program Assessment Tool– designed to be used as a critical thinking exercise by Program teams comprised of managers, direct service staff, parent leaders, and other stakeholders as appropriate. The version that can be typed into is available here.  Note: be sure to save the fillable version to your computer before typing into it.

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• Program Self-Assessment Summary Tool – after the above Program Self-Assessment tool has been completed, this tool can be filled out to be used as a handy summary of it.  The version that can be typed into is available here.  Note: be sure to save the fillable version to your computer before typing into it.

• Staff Self-Reflection Checklist – comprised of 15 self-reflection questions for staff members to use as a daily reminder to implement the Standards.

• Standards Participant Survey – comprised of 14 questions for Program participants to indicate how well the Program is meeting the Standards from the families' perspective.  The Participant Survey is also available in Spanish and Chinese. 

IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT

The National Family Support Network provides individual consultation to Networks and funders to develop system implementation plans for the Standards. Please contact the NFSN Director of Training for details.