Home visiting stakeholders work hard every day to improve practice, research, and policy in ways that enhance outcomes for young children and their families. At times, success is compromised because efforts are disconnected. Network principles can help.
Network scientist Jane Wei-Skillern, Ph.D. encourages us to focus on:
- Mission, not organization. As leaders, we adopt strategies and tactics to achieve our overall mission, not necessarily to stimulate the growth of any one organization or domain.
- Node, not hub. As partners, we see each of our organizations as part of a larger web of activity targeting our cause, not as a hub of isolated action.
- Humility, not brand. Our organizations work alongside our peers as equals and are willing to take a back seat when other partners are in a better position to lead.
- Trust, not control. Trust and shared values guide how we interact and create an environment that maximizes our collective impact.
The Network Weaver Community of Practice focuses on shared learning among home visiting leaders about how working collaboratively can help expand the reach and impact of home visiting.
History of the Network Weaver Community of Practice
This community of practice, launched at the 2020 National Home Visiting Summit in response to feedback and a follow-up survey after the 2019 Summit plenary session The New Network Leader: How You Can Grow Your Impact. The Advisory Committee of the National Home Visiting Network is guiding this Community of Practice to advance and support the use of a network mindset in home visiting.
Ideal Audience
Anyone who has ever:
- Worked with a family that is served by more than one program…
- Found themselves competing for families to enroll, or funding to sustain services, or a place “at the table”…
- Wondered what it would be like to check titles (and attitudes!) at the door and come together to work toward a shared vision for all young children and their families…
How to Get Involved
Sign up for Network Weaver emails or direct questions to Melissa L. Kelley, Facilitator, National Home Visiting Network.
Facilitators:
- Melissa L. Kelley, Co-Facilitator, National Home Visiting Network
- Deborah Roderick Stark, Co-Facilitator, National Home Visiting Network
- Dr. Miriam Westheimer, Co-Facilitator, National Home Visiting Network
Recent Community Meetings
August 17, 2020
Mission, Not Organization
Marty Kooistra, network practitioner and Executive Director of the Housing Development Consortium of Seattle-King County, and Melissa Kelley, facilitator of the National Home Visiting Network hosted this community meeting focused on Mission, Not Organization. During this meeting the facilitators take a close look at the principle as community members hear from Jeanna Capito, Home Visiting Model Alliance Facilitator on how Rapid Response Virtual Home Visiting has applied this principle to practice.