Phase 3: Policy & Systems Change

Register here or scroll down! This is the final and ongoing phase of The COFI Way that covers how to bring together parent teams (built through the Phase 1 and Phase 2 process) to work on their first policy change campaign and to build a parent power organization.  Phase 3 builds off of the incremental steps during the first two phases. You will learn COFI’s five-step process to policy and systems change, the values behind this work, the first steps to building a parent power organization, and how to implement the advanced parent leader curriculum, including what is policy change and COFI’s theory of policy change, working cross culturally, strategic planning, and other topics.

This training teaches how to support parents as they build strong and trust-filled relationships across diverse communities and with professional allies. Phase 3 training is aimed at creating a tight cross-cultural organization of parents that works together to create policy and systems change.

At the Phase 3: Policy & Systems Change train-the-trainer/train-the-organizer session you will learn:

• How COFI built the POWER-PAC IL organization – bringing together parent teams from across the city and the state
• How to plan for and launch your first campaign with diverse parent teams
• Creating an organizational structure
• What is policy & systems change and COFI’s theory of policy change
• Skill-building sessions on choosing an issue, working cross culturally, strategic planning and negotiating with policymakers.

Phase 3 training will be held at the beautiful and peaceful Q Center on the Fox River – 50 miles west of Chicago (at 1405 North Fifth Ave., St. Charles, IL 60174).

Registration is $925 for the Tuesday afternoon through Friday afternoon training. Room and board costs are variable at the Q Center but should run about $900-$950 for the three days and three nights. After you register for training you will receive additional information to complete your reservation at Q Center.

*It is highly recommended that you attend Phase 1: Self, Family & Team + Team Building and Phase 2: Community Outreach & Action before taking Phase 3: Policy & Systems Change. If you have not attended Phases 1 and 2, please contact Jennifer Little for approval before registering.

**If you’ve completed COFI’s Phase 1 & Phase 2 Train-the-Trainer / Organizer, and are actively building a parent organization, and you want to attend Phase 3 but training cost is a barrier, email Jennifer Little for our training scholarship application.

Please note: Registration is non-refundable. We can transfer the registration to another person or credit your registration towards a future training.