Page 95 - Team Member Handbook Aug 2020.docx

POLICY: WORKING WITH DIVERSE FAMILIES Policy #63

CREATION DATE: September 2015
REVISION DATE:
EFFECTIVE DATE: January 2016

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Jack and Jill Children’s Center will always strive to meet the needs of all diverse families such
as single-parent, blended, multigenerational, foster and same-sex partners as well as
recognizing and supporting any linguistic and cultural differences. Team members may not
assume that diverse families are inferior to two-parent traditional homes. The terms “broken
home” and “dysfunctional family” are emotional judgmental, and team member members
should avoid using them. It is only through developing a better understanding of the beliefs,
values and preferences of families that team member members can gain a broad perspective
and offer effective programming. Team member members must continually work to heighten
their awareness of cultural and linguistically diversity, improve their professional skills, and
work to develop a shared vision of early education and family needs.

Team member members will use the following guidelines for knowing and understanding
families:
 Respect the uniqueness of each family system
 Develop a personalize relationship with families
 Communicate in culturally appropriate ways

In addition, the center:
 Provides support and information to family members legally responsible for the care of
the child.
 Establishes intentional practices designed to foster strong reciprocal relationships with
families from the first contact and maintain them over time.
 Ensures that all families, regardless of family structure; socioeconomic, racial, religious,
and cultural background; gender; abilities; or preferred language are included in all
aspects of the program, including volunteering opportunities. These opportunities
consider each family’s interests and skills and the need of the program.
 Engages with families to learn from their knowledge of their child’s interests,
approaches to learning, and the child’s developmental needs, and to learn about their
concerns and goals for their child’s. This information is also incorporated into ongoing
classroom planning.

Failure to maintain and ensure compliance with this policy will result in disciplinary action up
to and including termination.