The ACT Government is providing Parents and Citizens Associations (P&Cs) across ACT public schools with access to grants of up to $20,000 to strengthen parent engagement and improve capability.
From June 26, P&Cs can apply for grants of up to $20,000 to increase their capability to operate, administer and govern school-based businesses such as canteens, uniform shops and Out of School Hours Care programs.
The 2020 Supporting Parent Engagement Grants will also help P&Cs to better engage their parent community in school life.
The grants meet a 2016 election commitment and are inline with the ACT Government's Future of Education Strategy which recognises parents and families are children's first educators and that family-school partnerships have significant and long-lasting impacts across communities.
The 2020 Supporting Parent Engagement Grant Program aims to:
- assist P&Cs, through training or other opportunities, to run effective businesses such as Out of School Hours Care programs
- strengthen family-school partnerships and embed effective parent engagement strategies
- develop tools and resources to strengthen parent engagement to maximise the impact on children's learning and wellbeing outcomes
- support involvement of all parts of the school community including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families
A total of $800,000 is available and applications will be accepted anytime during the year as part of rolling application process.
ACT Council of Parents and Citizens Associations, Kirsty McGovern-Hooley said it has been a very difficult year for parents and for P&Cs.
"We're hoping these grants will spark some creative ways of bringing communities together and getting parents more connected with their schools.
"This is a significant investment in our communities and recognises the central role parents and carers play in creating dynamic, safe and welcoming school environments," Ms McGovern-Hooley said.
