Engaging Families in Program Planning & Evaluation
Three Live Sessions + One-on-One Coaching
July 15th, July 22nd, August 5th, 2026
1 to 3PM EDT
Course Instructor & Coach: Bijan Kimiagar, PhD
THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & RESOURCES YOU’LL GAIN
Build a Family Advocate Mindset using the DREAM framework to identify where families have real voice in your programs.
Use practical, family-centered research methods like data walks, multi-generational interviews, and participatory approaches that respect families' time and match your capacity.
Apply ethical practices for informed consent, assent, compensation, and data protection, especially with immigrant and mixed-status families.
Communicate findings clearly to families, funders, and staff, and close the loop so participation leads to visible, accountable action.
Receive 1-on-1 coaching to pilot a method in your own context between or after live sessions, so you complete the course already having put your new knowledge and skills into action.
Schedule & Agenda | Summer 2026
July 15th
From Family Engagement to Family Advocacy
You likely already have essential knowledge and experience on how to effectively and ethically engagement families. In the first session, we’ll use a diagnostic tool to elevate your strengths and identify areas for growth. You’ll learn about the Family Advocate Mindset and use the DREAM framework to map where families have or should have voice in your planning and evaluation.
You'll leave with a clear picture of your strengths and areas for growth as a family advocate leading program planning and evaluation.
Family-Centered Research Methods That Work for Everyone
July 22nd
Most data collection and data analysis methods are NOT family-friendly. During our second session, we review several quantitative and qualitative methods explicitly designed with and for children, youth, and their families. These tried-and-true methods will add to your toolbox for choose the right tool for the job of engaging families and communities in program planning and evaluation.
You'll leave with a toolkit of practical methods to engage families that fit your time, budget, and capacity.
July 29th
1:1 Coaching Sessions
Between sessions, you'll pilot one or more methods and schedule 1:1 feedback with the instructor to troubleshoot what's working, what's not, and how to refine your approach.
You'll leave with real-world experience doing family-centered evaluation.
August 5th
Ethics, Communication, & Budgets
Navigate informed consent and assent, language and literacy, immigrant and mixed-status family considerations, participant compensation, data ownership, and how to share findings back in accessible, meaningful ways.
You'll leave with budget templates and communication tools you can use immediately with your team and families.
About Your Coach
Bijan Kimiagar, PhD
Bijan is a life long learner and teacher, and he brings all of his expertise, curiosity, and passion to helping you succeed in your personal professional development and organization’s strategic goals.
Since 2006, he’s taught academic courses on child and family well-being, research, and evaluation at Brooklyn College, Hunter College, Columbia University, and UCLA; as well as practitioner-centered professional development courses in both the US and internationally.
All of this experience has made clear one of the most important lessons for successfully engaging families in program planning and evaluation: Not every challenge needs a technical solution carried out by an expert. Rather, it needs a team of people willing to reflect on the ways they can adapt to meet new challenges, and who have a variety of resources, skills, and knowledge on hand to help them pivot.
Since 2010, Bijan has lead and supported teams to innovate new and adapt existing data collection and analysis methods with families so they are not just consulted but partners in addressing matters that affect them.
A key component of this course is one-on-one coaching with Bijan so that you can workshop your specific opportunities and challenges and walk away with practical next steps toward achieving your goal.
Register
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3 live facilitated sessions
1-on-1 coaching session
Course materials including recordings of sessions, frameworks, templates, and tools
Private course community for questions and peer support
Certificate of completion
Questions?
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You are EXACTLY the person for this course. This course is designed for practitioners, not academics. If you work directly with families and want practical tools you can use in your day-to-day work, you're in the right place.
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We can help with your immediate needs separately from this course. If you need quick answers, contact us to schedule a consultation.
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Yes! We encourage teams to join the course together, since effective engagement of families is always best done with teamwork. Contact us for team-based pricing.