What is Parent Leadership Initiative?
- The Parent Leadership Initiative program began more than 20 years ago in the Town of Huntington. It has been successfully copied in the Towns of Southampton, Islip, Babylon and Brookhaven.
- PLI is designed to prepare parents from different ethnic and economic backgrounds to assume leadership roles in their community.
- Parents come together for a 16 to 20 week program. They explore interests, strengths, and ideas. Then they work together to develop interpersonal and public communication skills. They also gain an understanding of how to work with government, media, and civic groups.
- Parents guide the program. They take part in deciding what to work on, and evaluating their progress. Each graduating class then guides the next class. This creates a growing group of parents who work to improve their communities. PLI addresses important child care issues such as health, quality schooling and neighborhood safety.
- PLI provides dinner and child care for all participants.
- PLI is funded from different foundations and donations.
Mission Statement:
PLI is based on the idea that the family is the heart of the community. Parents can be their children’s most important teachers. They are the strongest supporters in handling the needs of children and families.
Parents have the ability to bring about change, but often do not recognize their abilities, skills, or power. PLI gives parents the opportunity to come together to share experiences, ideas, and concerns. They can bring about positive change in their communities.
Goals:
To develop the leadership skills and knowledge needed to become an active community member
To become more involved in your community
To raise awareness of your community’s needs and resources
To bring about positive change
To create a positive, caring community for children
To make a real difference in the health, happiness and success of the children in your community
To grow into other areas of Long Island and create an increasing number of parent leaders working to improve their communities
For more information about PLI, please contact Denise Quintyne, Director of Parent Leadership Initiative. She can be reached at 631-462-0303, ext. 160 or send her an email at dquintyne@childcaresuffolk.org.
PLI Staff Members
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