FRIENDS PAC Call for Nominations
The FRIENDS National Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) is seeking nominations of parent/family members who are willing to share their lived experience as a parent voice representing specific CBCAP target populations and priority areas for the FRIENDS Parent Advisory Council (PAC). Parents/family members may self-nominate or be recommended by a CBCAP State Lead Agency or local child abuse prevention program. Nominations for 2024 have closed. The next nomination cycle will be in the fall of 2025.
The FRIENDS PAC is comprised of parent/family leaders who actively advise FRIENDS and the CBCAP community by developing/reviewing FRIENDS materials, producing a Parents & Practitioners newsletter, and providing the FRIENDS staff and partners with consultation and guidance 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 an unrepresented state or underrepresented region. 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.
- Identify as and be willing to share lived experience as a parent/family member of one or more of the CBCAP target populations, priority areas, and other underserved communities such as:
- LGBTQIA2S+ families,
- Multigenerational / co-parenting families,
- Families experiencing the justice system or incarceration,
- Parenting with a disability (for example: physical or intellectual),
- Families identifying as Tribal/Migrant, Immigrant or Refugee
- Blended families (for example: 2 gen, multiracial, or divorced/stepparents
For more information on CBCAP and the priority areas please refer to: https://friendsnrc.org/cbcap/what-is-cbcap/
- Have a commitment to family strengthening and child abuse prevention through a lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism.
- 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 supporting family strengthening and child abuse prevention
- Advocacy, education, and prevention awareness 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, or other prevention partners.
- Assist FRIENDS staff and partners with the development, review, or implementation of Training/Technical Assistance resources.
- Occasionally cover small travel expenses (such as ground transportation or parking) upfront while awaiting reimbursement.
How to Apply
Fillable nomination forms are available on the FRIENDS website FRIENDS PAC Call for Nominations | Friends NRC or may be completed manually using the attached documents and emailed to MaryJo Alimena Caruso at mjcaruso@friendsnrc.org through October 31, 2024.
- 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 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, 2024.
The FRIENDS National Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) is seeking nominations of parent/family members who are willing to share their lived experience as a parent voice representing specific CBCAP target populations and priority areas for the FRIENDS Parent Advisory Council (PAC).
For additional selection criteria, please refer to the Call for Nominations. Direct questions about the nomination process to MaryJo Alimena Caruso at (724)591 5448 or mjcaruso@friendsnrc.org. To learn more about FRIENDS and the FRIENDS PAC, visit www.friendsnrc.org.
Submission Instructions:
Parent/family leaders should provide their nomination information using the following link: https://friendsnrc.org/friends-pac-call-for-nominations/ or by completing the information below and clicking SUBMIT. This form must be completed by the parent/family leader even if an organization recommends the parent*.
All submissions are due by 10/31/24.
*CBCAP State Lead Agency, family strengthening/child abuse prevention program or community organizations (if applicable), must complete and submit the separate Organization Recommendation (also available online using the link above).
This form is filled out by the staff person (CBCAP State Lead Agency or local family strengthening/child abuse prevention program) recommending a parent/family leader nominee to the FRIENDS National Center for CBCAP Parent Advisory Council
The Organization’s Recommendation must accompany a Parent/Family Leader Self-Nomination form (completed separately by the parent/family leader). Both forms should be submitted electronically between October 1 and October 31, 2024.
All nomination materials must be received by 10/31/24.
Organization Recommendations will only be considered complete upon receipt of the candidate’s Parent/Family Leader Self-Nomination form.
Materials will be accepted thru 10/31/24 All requests for an extension must be submitted to mjcaruso@friendsnrc.org prior to 10/31/24 for consideration.