10/09/2026
In celebration of November’s , OCDEL invites families, early childhood professionals, and partners to share a brief story about meaningful family engagement.
Stories can be submitted by a family, by a professional or provider, or jointly by a family and a professional. OCDEL welcomes stories that highlight partnerships happening in many different places and ways, including:
-In the home, as families and professionals work together to support children and family goals
-In early childhood programs and services, where families and professionals partner in planning, learning, and decision-making
-In communities and systems, where family voices and leadership help shape programs, services, policies, and practices
-Through family engagement and leadership initiatives, such as workshops, trainings, Parent Cafés, advisory groups, peer support opportunities, and other activities that help families build leadership skills, connect with other families, and contribute to positive change in their communities and systems.
-Stories might highlight Family Voice & Leadership, Family-Professional Partnerships, Systems Change & Impact, or Innovation & Success.
🎉 Selected stories will be featured throughout November to celebrate families and professionals working together, elevate varied family experiences, and inspire meaningful family engagement and leadership across Pennsylvania.
Share your story in the format that works best for you! Submissions may be:
-A written story or article of up to 300 words, or
-A 3–5-minute video sharing your experience and the impact of the partnership.
📅 Submission deadline is October 23, 2026. For more information and to submit your story, follow link here: bit.ly/46NHwuC
For questions, please contact OCDEL’s Family Engagement and Leadership Coordinator, Sadia Batool, at [email protected].
