An Innovative Collective Parent Engagement Model for Families and Neighborhoods in Arrival Cities

Arrival Cities are special urban places. Amid the largest migration in human history, they provide homes for large numbers of mobile, low-income, immigrant families. These families need new human service and child welfare service models. Collective parent engagement (CPE) is one such model. CPE is designed to build on the strengths and meet the needs of immigrant families living in Arrival City neighborhoods. In contrast to interventions focused on individual parents, this CPE model mobilizes groups of parents; and with a dual agenda. CPE develops much-needed “anchoring supports” for mobile, vulnerable families, at the same time that it positions local organizations to become welcoming, supportive, and resource-providing social settings for families on the move. Enhanced professional preparation and training programs, together with enhanced organizational and policy development, are needed to realize this important agenda