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Families, Schools, and Communities Together for Young Children: Fostering Collaboration and Support

Brennan Blair

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Published in Families Schools And Communities: Together For Young Children

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Young children's healthy development and success in school and life depend on a strong foundation of support from their families, schools, and communities. The Families, Schools, and Communities Together (FAST) program is a national initiative that brings these three essential elements together to create a comprehensive system of support for young children.

FAST is based on the belief that all children can succeed when they have the support of their families, schools, and communities. The program provides a framework for schools, families, and community organizations to work together to create a positive learning environment for young children. FAST programs typically include:

Home visits: Home visitors provide support and information to families on child development, parenting, and health.
Parent-teacher conferences: Parent-teacher conferences are opportunities for families and teachers to discuss the child's progress and work together to support the child's learning.
Community events: Community events provide opportunities for families to connect with other families and learn about resources in the community.

FAST programs have been shown to have a positive impact on children's development and school readiness. Children who participate in FAST programs are more likely to:

Families, Schools and Communities: Together for Young Children

by John Hattie

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	43291 KB
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Print length	:	400 pages
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Be healthy and well-nourished
Have strong social-emotional skills
Be engaged in learning
Succeed in school

FAST is a collaborative effort that involves families, schools, and communities working together to support young children. The program is typically implemented through a school-based model, in which a FAST coordinator works with the school staff to develop and implement a FAST program.

The FAST coordinator is responsible for:

Building relationships: The FAST coordinator builds relationships with families, teachers, and community partners.
Developing a FAST plan: The FAST coordinator develops a FAST plan that outlines the goals of the program and the activities that will be implemented.
Implementing the FAST plan: The FAST coordinator implements the FAST plan with the support of the school staff and community partners.
Evaluating the FAST program: The FAST coordinator evaluates the FAST program to assess its effectiveness and make improvements as needed.

FAST programs have a number of benefits for families, schools, and communities. For families, FAST programs provide:

Support: FAST programs provide families with support and information on child development, parenting, and health.
Education: FAST programs educate families about the importance of early childhood education and the role that they can play in their child's learning.
Advocacy: FAST programs advocate for families and help them to access resources and services.

For schools, FAST programs provide:

Parent involvement: FAST programs increase parent involvement in their children's education.
Improved communication: FAST programs improve communication between families and teachers.
Increased resources: FAST programs help schools to access resources and services that they need to support young children.

For communities, FAST programs provide:

Community building: FAST programs help to build community by bringing families, schools, and community organizations together.
Increased resources: FAST programs help communities to access resources and services that they need to support young children.
Improved outcomes for young children: FAST programs improve outcomes for young children by providing them with the support that they need to succeed in school and life.

FAST is a valuable program that provides support and resources to families, schools, and communities in order to improve outcomes for young children. FAST programs are based on the belief that all children can succeed when they have the support of their families, schools, and communities. By bringing these three essential elements together, FAST programs create a comprehensive system of support that helps young children to thrive.

Families, Schools and Communities: Together for Young Children

by John Hattie

4.6 out of 5