Every story matters! While not every submission may not be featured during National Family Engagement Month, OCDEL will continue to look for opportunities to highlight and celebrate shared stories beyond November through future communications and other opportunities.

For Professionals and providers submitting a story: Please obtain consent before sharing stories on behalf of families. If your submission or any accompanying materials (e.g., photos, videos, flyers, or brochures) include images or identifiable information of a child or family, please ensure you have the appropriate permission to submit and share those materials.

For questions, please contact OCDEL’s Family Engagement and Leadership Coordinator, Sadia Batool at c-sabatool@pa.gov

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1. Please provide the first and last name(s) of the person or people submitting this story. If this is a joint submission, please include the names of both the family member and the professional/provider. Please note: OCDEL will not publicly use the last names of families or their children. (Required.)

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3. Please provide the phone number of the primary person submitting the story. OCDEL will use this information only if follow up about your submission is needed. (Required.)

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4. What early childhood program, organization, community, or initiative are you connected with? (Required.)

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5. Please select your county. (Required.)

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6. What is one message or lesson from your experience that you would like others to know about meaningful family engagement and leadership? (Required.)

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7. If your story is selected, do you give the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) permission to share your story as part of National Family Engagement Month communications and other future opportunities at state and national level?

Please note, OCDEL will not publicly use last names of families or children. (Required.)

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8. If your submission includes the name, image, voice, video, or other identifiable information of another individual, do you have their permission to include this information in your submission for potential sharing by OCDEL? (Required.)

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9. Please agree to the terms and conditions of this submission. I hereby grant Berks County Intermediate Unit, the parent organization of Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children, its legal representatives and assigns, and those acting with its authority and permission, such as the PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA), PATTAN, the absolute right and permission to copyright, use, reuse, publish, and republish, photographic portraits, pictures, videos and stories of those submitted with this survey, without restriction as to changes or alterations, or reproductions thereof in color or otherwise made through any media for art, advertising, trade, or any other purpose whatsoever. I also consent to the use of any printed matter in conjunction therewith.

I hereby waive any right that I may have to inspect or approve the finished product or products, or the advertising copy or printed matter that may be used in connection therewith, or the use to which it may be applied.

I hereby release, discharge and agree to save harmless Berks County Intermediate Unit, its legal representatives or assigns, and all persons acting under its permission or authority, from any liability by virtue of any blurring, distortion, alteration, or use in composite form, whether intentional or otherwise, that may occur or be produced in the taking of said picture(s) or in any subsequent processing or manipulation thereof, as well as any publication thereof. I understand that I will receive no financial compensation for the use of these recorded materials. (Required.)

If Submitting a Written Story

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10. Written Story Instructions:

Please share a story of up to 300 words describing a meaningful family engagement or family leadership experience.

Family engagement and leadership can take many forms. Your story might be about parent-professional partnership to support a child or family, contributing ideas to improve a program or service, participating as a parent representatives on an advisory group, receiving a family leadership training opportunity, or sharing family experience to shape policies, programs, or systems.

If you prefer, you can also upload your story as a Word document or PDF.

You may want to share:
  • What happened, and who was involved?
  • How did the family and professionals work together?
  • How were the family's strengths, knowledge, experiences, ideas, or voice valued?
  • Did the family have an opportunity to contribute, influence a decision, or take on a leadership role?
  • What difference did the experience make for the child, family, program, community, or system?

For Professionals and providers submitting a story: Please obtain consent before sharing stories on behalf of families. If your submission or any accompanying materials (e.g., photos, videos, flyers, or brochures) include images or identifiable information of a child or family, please ensure you have the appropriate permission to submit and share those materials.

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11. Please upload your story. If you provided your response above, please skip this option.

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12. Optional: Please upload your photo.

If Submitting a Video Story
Video Story Instructions:

Prefer to tell your story in your own voice? Submit a 3–5-minute video describing your family engagement or leadership experience. You can use the questions and examples above to help guide what you share.

When recording your video:
  • Record in a quiet, well-lit space with minimal background noise.
  • Position the camera at eye level and keep it steady.
  • Make sure your face is clearly visible, and your voice can be easily heard.
  • Record in landscape (horizontal) orientation, if using a phone or tablet.
  • Choose a simple, distraction-free background whenever possible.
  • Wear clothing that is appropriate for a public-facing video and does not display slogans, political messages, advertisements, or large logos.
  • Avoid including individuals in the video who have not given permission to be recorded and potentially featured.
  • Speak naturally and in your own words. We want to hear your authentic experience and perspective.
Please send your video to Sadia at c-sabatool@pa.gov.

For Professionals and providers submitting a story: Please obtain consent before sharing stories on behalf of families. If your submission or any accompanying materials (e.g., photos, videos, flyers, or brochures) include images or identifiable information of a child or family, please ensure you have the appropriate permission to submit and share those materials.
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