Here at the NH Department of Education, we believe that shared language is the jumping off point for collaboration. As such, we define family engagement as the organic interactive partnership between families, schools and communities that is built on positive, healthy, goal-oriented relationships that are culturally and linguistically responsive. It is a shared responsibility of families and professionals that requires mutual respect for the roles and strengths each has to offer. Family engagement includes both partnering in policy and leadership, as well as in fostering their children's development. Family engagement means doing with, not doing to, or for, families.

We appreciate that families come in diverse forms. We define family as all caregivers who interact with early childhood systems in support of a child's well-being, including but not limited to biological, adoptive, and foster parents; grandparents; legal and informal guardians; and siblings. Ultimately, family is defined in accordance with how families define themselves.

Our Family Engagement Coordinator is committed to: plan, coordinate, monitor and support the implementation of family engagement across the system of care for children, youth, and their families, to follow the core values of “youth guided and family driven” for compliance with state and federal regulations as well as best practices in the field. This position provides technical assistance and consulting services to local school districts and collaborating agencies as a member of the Bureau of Student Wellness and Nutrition.