Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI)

Would you like to become an advocate for children?
The Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) trains parents – Moms, Dads, Grandparents – to become effective advocates for children. Parents’ opinions are often unheard. So the PLTI teaches parents, who wish to improve the lifelong health, safety and learning of children, how to become practiced change agents for the next generation.

PLTI is a Connecticut Commission on Children initiative funded in part by the Parent Trust and United Way of Norwalk & Wilton. Norwalk is one of many communities in Connecticut that annually sponsors Parent Leadership Training Institutes. Norwalk’s PLTI is governed by a design team made up of PLTI graduates and a variety of community leaders. Norwalk Public Schools serves as the fiscal agent.

What is the Training offered by PLTI?
Parents attend a 20 week program generally starting in October and ending in March or April. Weekly evening workshops focus on what it means to be a community and then how to influence the governmental agencies that make policies that affect the well-being of children – including the Common Council, the Board of Education and the State Legislature.

There are three parts to the training:
 1) A one day retreat to develop the group of up to 25 parents and define mission
 2) A 10-week course on building a community of parent leaders
 3) A 10-week study developing a democracy tool kit within a community framework

Families are provided support – dinner for the participant and the family before the workshop and childcare (if needed) while the parent is participating in the workshop.

A graduation is held locally at the end of the program and also at the State Capitol for all those around the state who have completed the program.

How can I be part of PLTI?
If you would like to become part of PLTI, an application process starts usually in late spring and through the summer. You are interviewed by members of the design team including PLTI graduates. The interview team wants to learn more about your interest and commitment to becoming a parent leader. Those accepted to the program come from all different backgrounds and experiences – so everyone should feel free to apply!

For more information
To learn more about the Norwalk PLTI, call (203) 854-4013

To learn more about the statewide PLTI, go to the Connecticut Commission on Children website: www.cga.ct.gov/coc/plti.htm