Who’s At Your Table? 2026–2027
A 9-Month Capacity-Sharing Series for Early Childhood Leaders
Who’s At Your Table? is a 9-month virtual learning series that helps early childhood leaders move from family participation to authentic parent partnership. Teams gain practical tools to involve parents as co-designers of programs, policies, and funding decisions. Join us to learn how to share decision-making power with families.
Launch: October 15, 2026
Format: Monthly 90-minute virtual sessions
Why This Matters
Inviting families to the table isn’t enough—we must build tables where power is truly shared. Many systems need new ways of making decisions, building trust, and valuing lived experience. This series supports teams in making that shift so families help shape the systems that impact their lives.
Who Should Participate
This opportunity is uniquely designed for a wide range of organizations and change-makers who are dedicated to centering parents and their lived experiences. This includes but is not limited to non-profit advocacy teams, philanthropic organizations, government teams, and others who are ready to move beyond talking to put into place the policies, funding, structures, and processes necessary to realize authentic, family-centered leadership at all levels of the early childhood system. Teams can include:
Parent leaders with lived experience using early childhood and other family support services
School districts, academia, early childhood systems, and/or hospitals
State or local level decision makers
Direct service providers and community partners
Team Composition: 4–6 individuals – including at least 1 parent leader – who are committed to attending all sessions, participating in ongoing consultation, and taking action to embed family and parent leadership into your system.
What You’ll Learn
Over nine months, teams build the skills and structures needed for effective and authentic parent leadership:
Building organizational buy-in for parent leadership
Identifying and removing barriers to parent participation
Recruiting diverse parent leaders
Preparing parents for leadership roles and building confidence
Facilitating meetings with real shared power
Creating respectful parent compensation systems
Rebuilding trust with families harmed by systems
Engaging fathers and male caregivers
Designing and evaluating programs with parents as partners
How It Works
Sessions: Expert instruction, peer learning, hands-on practice, and action planning
Schedule:
October 2026 – June 2027
Third Thursday of each month (Note: the January session will be held on January 14th)
10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET
Between Sessions: 2–3 hours/month applying strategies in real work
Peer Learning: Collaborate with 4–6 teams with similar goals
Support: Optional office hours for coaching and brainstorming
Cost
The cost for one team to participate in the 9-month cohort series is $25,000. Please contact fpl@ecic4kids.org if the cost is a barrier for your team to participate.
The National Center recognizes that family leaders serve as experts in systems work and should be compensated for their time and experience. Teams are responsible for compensating the parent leaders serving on their team for their participation in all Who’s At Your Table sessions, coaching calls, etc. ECIC can offer support for processing parent payments. Visit the NCFPL parent compensation guidance to learn more.
Interested in participating?
The 2026–27 cohort launches in October with limited spots available.
Join an Information Session on Monday September 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET to learn more about Who’s At Your Table.
Submit your interest form today!
The National Center team will then follow-up to schedule an individual exploratory conversation with your team before the cohort launches to learn more about how we can meet your needs.
Have questions and can’t make the Information Session?
Please schedule a 30-minute conversation with NCFPL staff.
Join our Turn the Tables office hours.
Learn more about the National Center for Family & Parent Leadership and how we can support your family engagement and leadership efforts