Parent Leadership Initiative
Raise your voice, make an impact
The Parent Leadership Tennessee initiative allows parents and practitioners across the state to advocate for programs and policies that strengthen families and communities. Using their unique experiences, parents are informing decisions impacting children and families and transforming community practice. The Parent Leadership Team includes parents and practitioners representing the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services’ 12 regions. The leadership team advocates for policies that positively impact children and families across Tennessee through monthly training, advocacy, and community involvement.
For more information or to nominate a Parent Leader, contact Leslie Perry at Leslie.Perry@NurtureTheNext.org or Dannielle McMurray at Dannielle.McMurray@NurtureTheNext.org.
Join the Team
Training
Parent leaders receive training in community engagement, effective advocacy and child abuse prevention during monthly online training and an annual retreat.
Community Engagement
Parent leaders serve as the “parent voice” for their own communities and are encouraged to play an active role in community advisory boards, regional committees and national advisory boards.
Advocacy
Parent leaders are empowered to use their unique perspectives to advocate for policies and practices that have a positive impact on children and families in Tennessee and nationwide.
Education
Parent leaders receive the tools and training they need to facilitate community conversations, bridging the gap between peers and local child serving agencies.
Unsung Heroes Award
The Tennessee Unsung Hero Awards are presented each spring by the Parent Leadership Team and Nurture the Next staff. We recognize parents and caregivers who demonstrate incredible resiliency, who draw upon a strong support system, understand their children’s development, show empathy and support toward their children’s feelings, and who are not afraid to ask for help when they need it.
Award winners are recognized at the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth Children’s Advocacy Days and highlighted in local press.
