Sharing Community Resources

Providing a current and updated list of community agencies is one way to support families, build meaningful relationships and provide access to information and experiences that benefit them and their children. For example, families may gain from learning about early intervention or special education resources, job training opportunities, pediatric services, medical offices and local family support organizations. Other resources might be educational or recreational such as libraries, playgrounds, museums, fire stations, etc.

Think of yourself as a modern-day Google search.  When parents or staff are asking for support, it is important to show you are invested in them by sharing meaningful resources with them.

Below are ways to share community resources that will benefit everyone.

• Create a space that is clearly marked, accessible, and visible to all who enter your program. This could be a table, bulletin board, or a trifold that you can fold up and remove at the end of your day.
• Fill this space with printed materials that can be easily grabbed on the go.
• Display your program’s current newsletters and provide additional copies.
• Update community resources monthly as community activities often change by month and season.

• Use a digital platform such as MailChimp, Smore, Canva, Brightwheel, or email to create and send newsletters, links, or printed resources electronically.
• Many of these tools allow you to track how many readers opened your newsletter, how many people clicked on links you included, and if anyone unsubscribed. This helpful feedback informs your decisions about what is most interesting to your families.
• Make a goal to share one community event or resource at least once a week through social media. The greater your social media presence, the more likely families will be engaged and share with others!
• For programs with a website, dedicate a section to community resources available to families and staff.  A calendar that includes local events and important dates is also a great way to remind families about what’s going on in the community.

You have now learned some tips for how to share community resources with families. When you adopt these tips into your program, you can document these ways in your Community Resources statement for Maryland EXCELS.

In addition, you may also want to think about how you will:

• Regularly seek new resources.
• Gather information about community events and resources (example: websites, newspapers, local flyers and bulletins).
• Encourage families to share concerns, as well as resources they may need or find helpful.
• Connect families to resources that are specific to their needs or to the needs of their child (example: early intervention services and organizations).