How are parents involved in the DECA Program?
The DECA Program involves parents in several ways: • The teacher and the parent complete the DECA Record Form to create a complete picture of the child. • DECA results are shared and discussed with parents. • Parents are included when planning strategies to help their child build protective factors and address behavior concerns. • For Now and Forever offers an overview of social and emotional development and protective factors. It also offers strategies parents can use at home. • “Partnerships with Families” is one of the five program elements used as the framework for developmentally appropriate strategies on the Reflective Checklists. • Classroom staff are encouraged to reflect and improve upon their own skills in working with families by using strategies such as these: • Learn about each child’s family, culture and community • Use children’s home languages at the program • Establish an ongoing system for exchanging information about each child with his or her family. • Give families
