Vision
All children in Larimer County will grow up in homes that value the importance of positive parenting.

Mission
PEN is a group of community members and organizations that promotes parent education for all families in Larimer County.

Principles
For all parents to be effective in their role of nurturing children, parent education
- Honors diversity
- Is accessible
- Is skill and knowledge based
- Is valued
- Is offered in varied formats

PEN History
PEN began in 1996 with a networking luncheon hosted by the Family Center where over 300 community leaders and human service professionals participated. The focus was on improving the health and well-being of children and youth in the community. The event resulted in consensus and support for the idea that the most lasting and profound impact on children and youth would be to educate parents on effective parenting skills and techniques. This concept provided the impetus for the Parent Education Network (a detailed history is available with PEN archives and is kept with Healthier Communities Coalition).

In 2007, further discussion by active members produced an agreed upon Organization Guidelines and Standards. This document defines and directs our efforts to improve parenting skills in our community.

Membership

1. Membership may be either individual or an organization with a designated representative.
2. Annual membership fee is $30, due in January each year
3. Benefits include:
-Ability to help guide and steer the direction of PEN
- Link to organizations website on PEN site
4. Fees provide for:
-Creating and distributing products (ie. PEN Resource List)
-Website development and maintenance
-Marketing and PR of parent education opportunities, and the value added to the community as a whole
-Facilitation of strategic planning

Disclaimer
The Larimer County Parent Education Network does not endorse any provider, curricula or products listed on the resource list or on the website. Parents are encouraged to seek information that assists them in finding programs that works for them.

Participation

Meeting Format
1. PEN meets on the third Friday of the month, or as notified.
2. Meeting notes/minutes and agenda are distributed in advance to all members
3. Meeting notes/minutes and agenda are approved at the beginning of each meeting
4. Healthier Communities Coalition will act as the organization’s fiscal agent, and maintain PEN funds as a line item in HCC budget. The PEN membership will control spending of this HCC budget line item.

Leadership
1. A chair/co-chairs will be determined at the beginning of each calendar year, and will:
- Generate and ensure the distribution of meeting agendas
- Arrange for individuals to report on sub-committee work
- Conduct monthly meetings according to the agenda and timeline
2. A meeting recorder/note taker be determined at the beginning of the calendar year

Process
1. Members and guests understand that The Parent Education Network is a forum to discuss current parenting information, related community events and resources, and promote opportunities consistent with the organization’s vision and mission
2. Members and guests acknowledge that as a network of individuals and organizations, PEN does not endorse, recommend, or develop specific parenting programs or curricula
3. It is understood that individual PEN members and/or organizations may work collaboratively to initiate parenting services, events, and programs. It is further understood that such initiatives will not be promoted as being affiliated with, or under the auspices of PEN unless membership expressly votes to do so.
4. Out of respect for peoples time; meetings will start on time, end on time
5. Members and guests are encouraged to be open to new and different ideas consistent with the organizations’ Vision, Mission, and Principles
6. Members and guests are encouraged to voice their ideas and share input within the framework of agenda topics and the organization’s purpose
7. It is the responsibility of each member to remain informed about the organizations discussions and decisions. If absent from a meeting, members will review meeting notes and may contact the chairperson to become informed, or inform their substitute of issues, decisions and progress.
8. Members, unable to attend a meeting may send a substitute representative on their behalf. The substitute has proxy rights including voting privileges.
9. PEN members are expected to participate in sub-committee work

Decision Making
1. Organizational Standards, including the Vision, Mission, Principles, History, Membership, Disclaimer, Participation and Resource List Inclusion Criteria may be reviewed and revised as necessary, but at minimum, annually.
2. Members may propose changes to the Organization Standards at any meeting. When the membership present at the meeting agrees by consensus or majority vote, to recommended change(s), the recommendations will be distributed to the full membership prior to the next meeting. Changes will be voted upon at this said meeting.
3. Decisions not related to Organizational Standards will be made by a consensus of members present at meetings whenever possible. If a consensus cannot be reached, the decision representing the majority of members present will take precedence.

PEN Resource List – Criteria for Inclusion

The members of PEN have agreed to use the United Way 211 Database inclusion criteria for determining who is eligible to be included on the PEN resource list. The criteria are as follows:

The services must be accessible to the public. Accessibility implies a sliding fee scale (negotiable to $0) ensuring that services can be obtained by people who cannot afford private sector services. Inclusion of services available only to a limited target population will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Organizations considered for inclusion will fit one of the following criteria:
• Organizations which provide services in parent or family education, support, resources or advocacy and are not-for-profit corporations (501) (c) (3) status or do not charge fees for service;
• Government agencies (federal, state. County, city) which provide services in the areas of parent or family education, support, resources or advocacy may also be included. No attempt will be made to list all governmental agencies or departments;
• Organizations (such as churches and social clubs) which offer a service to the community at large (rather than requiring membership in the organization)
• Self help and mutual support groups;
• Advocacy groups, toll free lines which provide a social/community service or information that can be assessed by Larimer County residents;
• For profit organizations are considered on an individual basis. Inclusion is based on uniqueness of service, lack of comparable service available through not-for-profit agencies or groups, and degree of need for the service and the level of subsidized services available.

PEN reserves the right to edit information to meet format, guideline, and space requirements.