This GCYF-hosted conference call highlighted the Abriendo Puretas/Opening Doors (AP) program.

The AP program can serve as model for how to plan and implement programs that are culturally competent and that combine effective engagement with and outreach to ethnic and racial minority populations. In addition, AP shared information about its program to inform grantmakers of the opportunity to serving as funding partners to provide the program to organizations they fund that serve the low-income Latino population.

Abreindo Puertas/Opening Doors

Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors (AP) is the nation’s first evidence-based parent leadership training program for Latino parents with children 0-5 years of age. The program aims to improve the outcomes of the nation’s Latino children, by focusing on building the capacity and confidence of parents to be strong and powerful advocates in the lives of their children. The primary objective of Abriendo Puertas is to increase the number of Latino children in the United States that enter school ready to learn and able to succeed in life.    

The program, fully developed in Spanish, includes a 10-week curriculum centered on:

• the cultural values, strengths, and experiences of Latino parents

• tools and resources for parents

• a train-the-trainer approach

• evaluation

Each session takes a group of approximately 20 parents through the developmental stages of young children, with attention given to all aspects of child well-being: good health, social and emotional well-being, school readiness, safety, and the economic well-being of the family.   

Through the cost-effective train-the-trainer program, Abriendo Puertas fully prepares local community leaders to become facilitators in delivering the program to parents in their neighborhood. The train-the-trainer component is a three-day training program to help prepare local community leaders/parents to facilitate the parent groups. These trainers can also train additional trainers to expand the program's reach.   

Abriendo Puertas has been independently evaluated by Professor Bruce Fuller of UC Berkeley. This assessment has included both quantitative and qualitative analyses, collected through pre and post surveys, questionnaires, field notes and focus groups at the beginning and end of the program. Results show Abriendo Puertas participants display significant increases in their confidence as parents; knowledge and comfort with available services; and social support, connection to the community, and civic engagement.

Presenters:

• Maria A. Casillas, Families in Schools

• Sandra Gutierrez, Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors

• Margaret Bridges, University of California, Berkeley

Video:

To view a video about the Abriendo Puertas program click here.

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