Founded in 2014 by parents, educators, and practitioners, Washington Family Engagement (WAFE) advances equitable participation for marginalized families in civic life and public education. WAFE’s Institute for Parent Leadership is a virtual program that reaches parents across the state. It reflects a unique approach to leadership development and civic engagement, with potential far-reaching impacts for parents, their families, schools, systems, and the health of our democracy. This case study documents the practices IPL uses to build the civic power of parents, caregivers, and professionals working with families. 

The six core practices presented in the case study point to several actionable takeaways for organizations striving to create meaningful adult virtual learning experiences, particularly related to civic engagement.

• Design for Multi-Layered Access: Reduce participation barriers by personalizing recruitment, offering courses in multiple languages, and offering dedicated assistance with technology. Follow explicit norms that allow adult learners to multitask, manage caregiving responsibilities, or participate via chat without judgment or penalty.
• Prioritize Organization and Predictability: Structuring virtual sessions with clear routines, visual timestamps, and multi-modal instructions (delivering prompts visually, verbally, and via chat) helps adult learners navigate complex content while juggling other priorities.
• Balance Civic Rigor with Personal Storytelling: Ground dense policy and legislative concepts, such as analyzing municipal budgets or constitutional texts, in personal reflection activities (e.g., poetry and storytelling) and practical skills (e.g., public speaking and testimony delivery).
• Position Learners as Co-Leaders: Foster active engagement by structuring classes around discussion and co-facilitation rather than passive lectures, allowing participants' energy and lived experiences to drive learning.
• Intentionally Build Psychological Safety: Review "gracious space" agreements during every session, show deep respect and care when participants share personal experiences, use small breakout groups for peer connection, and celebrate accomplishments in community.
• Support Facilitators to be Responsive, Supportive, and Show Their Own Personalities: Ensure facilitators have the time to actively check in with participants between sessions, and the skills to validate diverse perspectives and support the group amid the sharing of difficult experiences. Create a pipeline from parent leader participant to facilitator.

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Contact: Dr. Joanna Geller at joanna.geller@nyu.edu