On March 23rd, the Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) graduated its 10th cohort. PLTI is part of the National Parent Leadership  Institute, which is a nonpartisan, parent-centered, and anti-racist organization that partners with parents and communities to equip families with the civic skills, knowledge, and opportunities to be leading advocates for children at home, school, and in the community. 

PLTI was established in Connecticut in 1992. Ten years ago, the Orleans Parish Education Network (OPEN), introduced PLTI to New Orleans in order to provide an opportunity for parents to develop as leaders in their own communities. After 5 years, funding barriers forced the program to be suspended. However, Mayor Cantrell saw the need for this program to continue. As one of the first directives of the Office of Youth and Families, PLTI was able to continue in the City of New Orleans under the current administration. To this day, PLTI continues to provide a platform to robustly build civic engagement and leadership skills to both English and Spanish speaking parents from a variety of backgrounds and passions. Since the program’s inception under the Office of Youth and Families, PLTI has graduated 71 parent leaders. These leaders can be found in numerous leadership positions throughout the city, including spearheading organizations such as Familias Unidas en Acción and the Broadmoor Improvement Association. Among the alumni, there is an advocate for the rights of English language learners, facilitators for the Puentes New Orleans program “Padres Comprometidos”, a staff member in the Louisiana Legislative Office, and multiple entrepreneurs. We are also proud of the fact that it is our alumni who now lead the New Orleans chapter of PLTI, continuing the legacy of civic engagement, leadership, and change for a better future for our children and families. 

During this recent cohort, fifteen parent leaders leaned on their determination and passion and completed 20 weeks of sessions to make sure their voices as parents were heard. All participants worked towards developing an impact project, with topics that ranged from homework help to domestic violence prevention. Engagement is an essential component of civic leadership and the Office of Youth and Families congratulates all of our graduates. 

Applications will open soon. Please check www.nola.gov/plti for more information or email melissa.panks@nola.gov