Trainings & Events
2025- 2026 Training Menu
Don’t see what you’re looking for on here? We can make trainings to order!
opportunities for schools & staff
Family Engagement Coffee Chat
Third Thursdays at 12:00 p.m., Resuming September 18
Register here for the Zoom link
Family Engagement Coffee Chats are hosted in partnership with the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development. These monthly opportunities are a chance to connect with and learn from each other. We aim to tailor these to meet your interests and needs. Let us know what you’d like to talk about this year via this brief survey.
Safety & Wellbeing Summit + Partnering with Families for Student Wellbeing
September 9-12, Anchorage
The main portion of this of this free, statewide conference is September 10-11, with a post conference day on Friday, September 12, focused on Partnering with Families to Students’ Support Mental Health on Friday, Sept. 12. Register here
Family Engagement Training Menu
According to the 2025 School Climate & Connectedness Survey, only two-thirds of staff said their school provides training on partnering with families. Sample from the AFEC training menu to ensure 100% of your team has the training & support they need. Don’t see what you’re looking for on here? We can make trainings to order!
Mini-Grant
Up to $20,000 to Fuel Your Family Engagement Efforts
Alaska Family Engagement Center partner school districts are eligible for up to $20,000 in mini-grants. Funding is also available to help cover sub-pay and technology costs. Click here for more details and to apply.
Upcoming Opportunities for Staff & Families
Family & Community Cafe Training
September 13, Anchorage
Looking for ways to engage families in meaningful conversations and gather constructive feedback? Join this free training to learn, practice, and plan your own community cafe. Sign-up here or contact lbrady@aasb.org for more details.
opportunities for families
Helping Our Kids Thrive This School Year
September 2025 – March 2026
Virtual Training Series for Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers. Opportunity to have an open conversation and ask questions with others who share similar interests. Learn More Here!
Empowered Parents – Inclusive Connections (EPIC)
Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Virtual meetings on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays
Do you know families who have a child with special needs? You can help connect them with a network of support for children, siblings, and parents. In addition to training, Stone Soup Group offers opportunities for families to connect with other families who have traveled a similar path. Empowered Parents – Inclusive Connections (EPIC) is a family-led talking and learning circle. It’s offered every first and third Thursday in person in Anchorage and virtually every second and fourth Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Register and get the Zoom link here.
NAMI Basics – Mental Health guidance for families of teens
Free, online, available any time
This free, six-session online education program is for parents, caregivers, and others who provide care for youth aged 22 or younger who are experiencing mental health symptoms. NAMI Basics OnDemand is guided by parents and family members with lived experience, is self-paced, and is available 24/7. Learn more and sign up here.
Transition Series: Exploring the Alaska Transition Handbook
September 24 (last Wednesdays), 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Over a period of six Zoom sessions, the Stone Soup Group will walk through the Transition Pathways Handbook. These sessions are especially helpful for families of middle and high school students with special needs. Register here.
Family Advisory Board
Friday, September 5 at 1:00 p.m.
Do you know family members who may be interested in helping guide the work of the Alaska Family Engagement Center? We’re looking for a few more Family Advisory Board members, especially those who have elementary school-aged kids and/or are fathers, grandfathers, and uncles. Thanks for nominating family members here (self-nominations are welcome!). Our next Family Advisory Board (FAB) meeting will be on Friday, September 5, at 1:00 p.m. Contact Emily Ferry for more info.
Partner opportunities
