Fifteen family leaders from locations across Larimer County, CO are celebrating the completion of a 20-week civics and leadership program. The Family Leadership Training Institute is the first-of-its-kind for Larimer County, CO.

County Commissioner, Steve Johnson, will greet the graduates and guests along with Eileen Forlenza, Director of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Unit of the Colorado Department of Health and Environment.  Dr. Sharon Ford, Manager of Permanency Services with the Colorado Department of Human Services will deliver the graduation address “You Are The Difference.”  The graduates, from Berthoud, Fort Collins, Loveland, and Windsor, will receive recognition for the more than 120 hours each devoted to developing the skills needed to become effective leaders in their communities. 

The Family Leadership Training Institute course requirements include community projects developed by the participants, and this year’s graduate’s projects included providing guidance to foster youth toward admission and success in college, enhancing parent learning about child development, encouraging successful transitions for Head Start students into Kindergarten, incorporating youth leadership into the Colorado Conservation Project for 5th graders, conducting leadership workshops, and creating a booklet, “Our Crooked Path,” to help other parents based on the personal journey of one raising a child with special needs.  Reaching young people as role models and leaders for community change inspired two 20- something participants to develop their community projects to enhance current opportunities for older youth through a “Hangout,” and a community awareness program utilizing radio to promote positive body image.

The challenges of having an adult child with developmental disabilities and limited placement options for independent living provided the momentum for Brenda Tuttle’s and Wendy Borgman’s community projects.  Brenda designed a plan to establish a group home for three male adults with developmental disabilities. Wendy is also deeply committed to making changes in current services for these children and their families.  She has developed a plan to establish “Haven”, a facility with personnel, programs, and support for families in this situation.  In these rough economic times she holds to her dream and has been invited to participate as part of a forum which meets regularly to discuss new possibilities. She states, “I am looking forward to working with community leaders to promote awareness and change.”     

As her community project, Tina Boyer started the “You’re Never Alone Support Group” for families with children of multi-disabilities.  "I feel privileged to have shared this experience with other individuals who share my passion to create change” she said. “I want to make a difference for our children who don’t have a voice and for parents who are not always heard.”

In only 20-weeks, institute graduates achieved success within their communities by helping to re-establish Al-anon/Alateen meetings in Loveland;  hosting an art exhibit of children with autism “Art on the Spectrum” for over 700 viewers - kicking off Autism Awareness month in downtown Ft. Collins; and establishing a business, “MAXarT,” based in the positive promotion of children with autism through their artwork - which is already generating national attention and revenue to support the cause. As a result of their community projects, Joel and Laura Decatur will soon begin a new project with Respite Care to create “The Angels of Respite Care” 2011 Calendar.  Family leaders will be available after the ceremony for photos and interviews and to discuss their community projects.

“This curriculum has been successful in cultivating the voices of family in our community.  The participants of this class have dug deep to uncover their full potential - as parents, community members, and agents of change.” said Jacque Miller, Colorado State University – Larimer County Extension Agent and FLTI Site Coordinator.  “Research has shown us that when families feel competent about the civic process, they engage more fully in their child’s education, community issues and their own personal health.  FLTI has been the conduit for this knowledge!”     

The Family Leadership Training Institute started from a public-private partnership between several statewide and local organizations. Collectively these organizations discovered three things: 1) Families are eager to learn how to participate in democracy; 2) Civic leaders and organizations benefit from informed families; and 3) Communities are strengthened when the voice of families is valued.

For more information, contact  Jacque Miller, 970-498-6000  jmiller@larimer.org.