One of the best approaches would be to use those of us already working with Head Start to share information about family life education and CFLE with our local programs. ... I would imagine (and hope) the organization I work for would respond better if it were coming from someone they know. They might consider looking more at CFLEs when hiring as well as obtaining certifications for existing staff and using more of an overall FLE approach.

This quote came from a recent conversation with CFLEs involved in Head Start. I had just attended the Head Start Parent Engagement Conference and was seeking input as to how NCFR could expand the role that CFLEs could play in Head Start and Early Head Start settings, especially as it relates to home visiting.

Over the past few years I have shared information in this column about efforts on the part of CFLEs like John Machir and Justin Petkus, both of whom saw the wisdom of incorporating family life education and Certified Family Life Educators into the practice of home visiting. Efforts like theirs are critically important to helping increase awareness and value of the CFLE credential.

We know based on the CFLE Employer Assessment and Verification forms used to document CFLE work experience, that CFLE employers typically rate CFLEs very high in knowledge of the content areas and in the traits, skills, and abilities identified as needed for family life education. But it can be a struggle for CFLEs to initially get their foot in the door for an interview or to identify employment positions that use the skills of a family life educator.

We need to make it easier for family professionals to spread the word about family science and family life education. Toward this effort, NCFR has been working to increase awareness and understanding of family science as a discipline which in turn has implications for family life education (sometimes referred to as the practice of family science). Please check out the WeAreFamilyScience.org website. It was designed to help employers, potential and current family science students, parents of these students, and legislators see the value of the discipline and practice of family science. This site is a work in progress and we welcome your thoughts and suggestions on how it can be best used and improved.

NCFR is also currently working on the creation of printed and online materials that can be used to promote family life education and the CFLE credential. We are updating the "Village on the River" PowerPoint, creating talking points, producing a new CFLE brochure, and are hoping to create an infographic about family life education. We will also be looking for CFLEs willing to make a short video about the work that they do and to share stories of the impact they have made.

As the opening quote implies, those working in the field are best suited to "champion the cause." NCFR can provide resources to support these efforts. If you have ideas about how NCFR can help you spread the word and/or want to be involved in the creation of some of the materials described above, please email me.

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