What is a parent liaison?

Answer 1

Parental liaisons are employed by schools to facilitate communication between parents and their children's school. Some parental liaisons work solely with the families of very young children, newborn through preschool, to help the families create a positive learning environment at home and a smooth entry into the school system. Some work at the university level, offering assistance and information to parents and helping them with any concerns they might have. Many parental liaisons work in the K-12 school system.

Skill Set

Parental liaisons need to have excellent communication skills, both oral and written. They need to be knowledgeable about the school system and any pertinent laws, and they need to be able to answer parents' questions. They need to know what resources are available in the community for families, such as housing, transportation, food assistance, medical and dental care, and to keep up-to-date on any changes. Parental liaisons need to be able to teach parenting skills. They need to be able to keep accurate records and to work effectively with others in the school district. They need to have strong people skills.

Primary Responsibilities

Although the responsibilities of the parental liaison vary according to the requirements of the district, there is a common core of expected duties. They usually visit the families of current or potential students, give them information about the school district and offer to enroll the children. They keep records of their involvement with parents and families. They help cultivate parental interest in their children's schools and activities. Parental liaisons help develop the children and families' relationships with the school district. They also serve as a liaison with the broader community by sharing the goals and vision of the school district.

Other Tasks

Parental liaisons are sometimes hired because they speak the language of the targeted community. They may need to translate materials or other communication. Parental liaisons sometimes help educate schools about culturally diverse families. They may teach parents how to help their children do their homework. They may serve as a link between the school system and various parent organizations, such as the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). Parental liaisons may be expected to fulfill other duties occasionally, such as monitoring students in the halls or lunchrooms.

Background and Continuing Education

Parental liaisons come from various backgrounds. Some have bachelor's degrees and have worked in education or social services. Others have a high school diploma or GED. Education requirements vary from district to district. California State University offers a 30-hour parent liaison certificate program. According to the university, the program "was designed to provide high quality training, coaching and resources to individuals employed by schools, districts and early childhood programs to coordinate their parent involvement programs." Continuing education is important for parental liaisons. The Indiana Public Schools' continuing education includes classes in how to connect with hard-to-reach parents, cultural competency, involving parents in school-based decision-making and how parents can help their children with reading and math.