Research on the Ripple Program
In 2023, Families First partnered with the NYU Metro Center’s Center for Policy, Research, and Evaluation to conduct a research study on the impact of the Ripple Program, particularly the Community Impact Projects (CIPs). During the first phase of the study, NYU completed 10 interviews with seven parent leaders and three staff members affiliated with CIPs across three agencies.
Ripple Program Evaluation
Families First collects and analyzes data for internal evaluation to guide continuous quality improvement and assess program outcomes. Evaluation findings from 2022-2023 complement findings from the first phase of the NYU Ripple Program study.
Community Impact
Parent leaders
- ensures organizations are responsive to their communities.
- helps other families become more connected.
- are informing decision-makers beyond the agency
Research that Informs the Ripple Program
The Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family-School Partnerships
The Ripple Program was designed to increase the capacity of both parents and agencies so they can improve systems and make communities stronger. By looking at the challenges, essential conditions, and policy program goals stated in the Dual Capacity-Building Framework, the Ripple Programs developed training for parents and staff and a framework for them to work on projects collaboratively.
The Ripple Effect Theory
The Ripple Effect Theory inspired the Ripple program name and evaluation strategy. Effective parent leadership strategies have a wave of positive impact effects that start with the parents themselves and continue with agencies and them in the communities.
- Since its inception, the Ripple Program has utilized the Parent Leader Outcome Survey from the NYU Metro Center Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools.
- The Ripple Program has a Partnership with NYU Metro Center under Dr. Joanna Geller’s leadership to evaluate the Ripple Program’s multi-level impact.
Manifesto for Race, Equity, and Parent Leadership in Early Childhood Systems
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are at the core of the Ripple Program. The Manifesto for Race, Equity, and Parent Leadership in Early Childhood informed the foundational principles of the Ripple Program Elements: Parents are at the Center, Parents participate at all levels, Parents are valued as experts, and Parents are influential leaders.
- The Ripple Program Parent Leadership Series and the Parent Leadership Staff Series embedded DEIB principles in each session to ensure parents and agencies learn best practices to work in a culturally respectful environment.
- The Parent Leadership Staff Series emphasizes parents’ role as experts and encourages staff to allocate resources and become champions for parents’ critical role in education.
Strengthening Partnerships: A Framework for Prenatal through Young Adult Family Engagement in Massachusetts
Families First’s programs started in Massachusetts and were inspired by the different initiatives that have taken place in the state. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released the Family Engagement Framework after collecting feedback from parents and agencies statewide for several years. The framework’s elements offer concrete strategies for the Ripple Program participants to develop inclusive family engagement practices and work collaboratively to improve current practices.
