DYCD knows the importance of family engagement in helping improve outcomes for all family members and building safer and healthier communities. DYCD has made partnering with families a priority. DYCD staff reflects on the many benefits of engaging families as partners.

For ParticipantsFor FamiliesFor CBOs/ProvidersFor CommunitiesFor Funders/DYCD
  • Increased participation
  • Receive consistent messaging
  • Encourages communication and support between participant and family
  • Promotes a sense of belonging
  • Strengthens overall development into successful youth/adult
  • Awareness of programs
  • Better outcomes for their youth
  • A sense of belonging to a community of families
  • Access to resources and personal/professional growth
  • Voice in program activities help set priorities/activities
  • Better program attendance and participation
  • Improved provider job satisfaction and potentially less turnover
  • Fosters partnerships
  • Stronger programs as families share feedback & suggestions on how to improve services
  • Families are more involved in community activities
  • People are better connected to each other and to services and programming
  • Increased access to services and learning opportunities
  • Less participation in negative risk taking
  • Investment in neighborhoods
  • Increased results
  • Buy-in to the agency’s mission and services
  • When families are engaged they can advocate against funding cuts, benefiting the funder/DYCD
  • Maximizes our impact
  • Increased visibility and brand name recognition among families