There are lots of things you can do connect with your multilingual families. These strategies offer some tips and tools to help you get started. Building relationships with families Let families know they are welcome. Introduce the idea of school-family partnerships. Get to know families' strengths. Ask families for their insights. Eliminate barriers to family engagement. Partner with community organizations. Providing language access for ELL families Provide information in families' home languages. Identify your district’s language access resources. Try different formats of communication. Reach out to family liaisons or interpreters. Try an app like TalkingPoints. Ensure families have information about special education in their home language. Communicating with multilingual families Help families keep contact information updated. Ensure families know how to contact the school. Learn how families want to communicate. Learn when families want to communicate. Find out if families have their own networks. Create social media platforms for families. Connecting families with community supports Connect families with basic services when needed. Learn about your school’s community partnerships. Share mental health supports with families. Share information about student activities. Tell families about local early childhood programs. Special education and multilingual families Ensure families have information about special education in their home language. Collaborate with an experienced interpreter. Remember that families can provide valuable insights. Keep in mind that families may be reluctant to sign paperwork. Multilingual Tips to Share with Families Multilingual Videos for Families Resources by Language
