FRIENDS PAC Call for Nominations

Why does FRIENDS support a PAC?

FRIENDS National Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) supports the Children’s Bureau with providing training and technical assistance to increase capacity of CBCAP grant recipients (i.e., state agencies, Tribes, Tribal organizations, Migrant programs, and community-based service providers) to meet Federal requirements of the CBCAP program.

FRIENDS National Center for CBCAP has convened a Parent Advisory Council (PAC) to support their training and technical activities and model effective strategies to meet this requirement to CBCAP grant recipients.

One requirement of CBCAP is that grant recipients are to demonstrate a commitment to involving parents in the planning and program implementation of the lead agency and entities carrying out local programs receiving CBCAP funding (Section 201(b)(1)(G)).

Why is there a call for nominations?

Nominations for 2025 have closed. Check back in October 2026.

The FRIENDS PAC is comprised of parent/family leaders who actively advise FRIENDS and the CBCAP community (e.g., CBCAP grant recipients) in a variety of ways which may include the following:

Providing guidance to FRIENDS staff, the Children’s Bureau, CBCAP grant recipients and partner organizations
Collaboratively developing or reviewing FRIENDS resources (e.g., written publications, presentations, manuals, etc.),
Producing a Parents & Practitioners newsletter, and
Assisting FRIENDS with training and technical assistance (TTA) to the CBCAP grant recipients from their parent/ family leader perspective.

Successful Parent/Family Leader Candidates MUST:

Have participant experience as a parent/family member in community-based family strengthening or child abuse prevention, parent education, kinship care, or home visiting programs.
Expand the geographic reach of the current PAC by serving as a parent/family member on behalf of a state or region that either lacks or has a limited number of PAC members. For information, a map, and biographies of current PAC members, please refer to the FRIENDS website: https://friendsnrc.org/parent-leadership/parent-advisory-council/
Possess a minimum of 1 year of leadership experience as a parent/family member at the local, state, or national level including examples serving as a change agent.
Have knowledge or experience as a parent/family member related to one or more of the purposes or requirements of the CBCAP program such as:
- Participating in activities and services that support families and prevent child abuse and neglect
- Receiving services and resources to support my family (e.g., voluntary home visiting, respite services, etc.)
- Receiving support for needs of families with children with disabilities (e.g., respite care)
- Providing leadership in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of prevention programs and policy decisions
- Promoting public information in their community or state to increase awareness on child abuse and neglect prevention
- Contributing TTA activities for child abuse prevention programs
  For more information on the CBCAP programs please refer to: https://friendsnrc.org/cbcap/what-is-cbcap/

Have a commitment to family strengthening and child abuse prevention.
Participate in the Parent/Practitioner Newsletter as a contributor, workgroup member or catalyst for articles.
Navigate solo travel (planes, taxis, hotel check-in) with little assistance. *Travel arrangements are provided and funded by FRIENDS
Be able to travel by airplane
Have daily access to a working computer, internet, email, and printer.
Participate in all required calls and meetings including:
- Monthly virtual PAC meetings via Zoom
- Serving on a minimum of 1 workgroup or committee per year
- Traveling, at FRIENDS’ expense, to 1 annual PAC retreat and CBCAP Grantee Meeting (date TBD annually)

Selected Nominees will be EXPECTED to:

Exhibit proficiency or awareness of family strengthening and child abuse prevention as it relates to:
- Governmental entities and legislation/laws supporting family strengthening and child abuse prevention
- Education, public awareness and prevention activities at the local, state, or national levels.
Demonstrate good written and verbal communication skills.
Represent the perspectives of other parents and family caregivers.
Commit to serve a three (3) year term as an active member.
Participate in annual opportunities to communicate with their CBCAP State Lead facilitated by FRIENDS staff, the PAC member, the State Lead Agency, Tribal or Migrant program, or other prevention partners.
Assist FRIENDS staff and partners with the development, review, or implementation of TTA resources.
Occasionally cover small travel expenses (such as ground transportation or parking) up front while awaiting reimbursement.

Online nomination forms* are available on the FRIENDS website (see buttons below) or may be completed manually using the links here and emailed to MaryJo Alimena Caruso at mjcaruso@friendsnrc.org through October 31, 2025.

*Online submission is the preferred method for nominations.

ALL parent/family caregivers must complete the Parent/Family Leader Nomination Form which may (if applicable*) be accompanied by an Agency Recommendation Form completed by a CBCAP State Lead Agency, Tribal or Migrant program, or local prevention program as a reference for the parent.
An organization nominating a parent must complete the Agency Recommendation form AND be accompanied by a Parent/Family Nomination Form completed by the nominee.
Nominations will be reviewed, and candidates will be interviewed by the FRIENDS Parent Advisory Council. Potential candidates will be recommended to the FRIENDS Director and the CBCAP Federal Project Officers.

Completed applications include

One (1) completed Parent/Family Nomination form per nominee (required) and,
If applicable*, One (1) completed Agency Recommendation form.

*Parent/family leaders may self-nominate and are highly encouraged but not required to have an agency recommendation.

Those needing an extension to the nomination deadline should express their interest in writing to MaryJo Alimena Caruso at mjcaruso@friendsnrc.org before October 31, 2025.

Interested parties should contact MaryJo Alimena Caruso at mjcaruso@friendsnrc.org or 724.316.6761 with questions.