Way to Grow knows that strong partnerships build strong communities. This month, Ms. Patricia, our Director of Programs, brought that message to home visiting leaders worldwide. She presented at the Parents as Teachers International Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, showing how trust between grantees and funders helps families thrive.
Parents as Teachers: The Foundation of Our 0–5 Work
Way to Grow uses the Parents as Teachers curriculum for our work with children ages 0–5. This proven program supports early learning, school readiness, and family well-being. Our Family Educators provide home visits, parenting groups, developmental screenings, and they help families connect to resources.
Each year, the Parents as Teachers International Conference brings together people who work with families and young children from around the world. They share new ideas, celebrate wins, and learn from each other. This year’s theme was Alcanzar Nuevas Alturas / Reach New Heights. The October 13–16 conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico focused on how we can work together to better serve families.
Ms. Patricia’s workshop fit the theme perfectly. High-Flyers: Building Strong Grantee-Funder Relationships showed how strong partnerships help programs succeed. We sat down with Ms. Patricia to hear why this work matters.
Why This Topic Matters Right Now
Ms. Patricia, you’re presenting High-Flyers: Building Strong Grantee-Funder Relationships at the upcoming Parents as Teachers International Conference. Why is this topic important right now?
“Right now, our field is under tremendous pressure—families are facing bigger challenges, funders are looking for accountability and impact, and programs like ours are stretched thin trying to do it all. Strong partnerships are no longer optional; they are essential. When grantees and funders work together with transparency, trust, and a shared vision, we create stability for families and staff. This conversation matters because the future of our work depends on it.”
What “High-Flyers” Really Means
You’re highlighting both the struggles and the wins in building strong partnerships. What is the most important lesson you’ve learned while doing this work?
“The most important lesson is that partnership is about people, not just paperwork. I’ve learned that funders want to see outcomes, yes, but they also want to understand the story—the faces, the families, the lives impacted. When we share openly about our struggles as well as our successes, we invite funders into the real work. That honesty builds trust, and trust is what sustains long-term collaboration.”
The Most Important Lesson
The workshop is titled High-Flyers. What does that term mean to you, and how do you hope participants will see themselves in it?
“To me, a High-Flyer is someone who isn’t afraid to aim higher, to push past obstacles, and to bring others along on the journey. It’s about resilience, creativity, and leadership. I hope participants see themselves as High-Flyers—not just reacting to challenges, but soaring above them by building strong, authentic relationships that lift both families and organizations.”
Stories That Connect to the Bigger Picture
Your workshop promises to go beyond theory with stories, examples, and even music and movement. Can you share one story and how it connects to the bigger picture?
“One story that stays with me is from a family who faced eviction, job loss, and multiple barriers. Through our program, and with a funder who believed in wraparound support, we were able to connect them to stable housing, early education for their child, and resources for employment. Today, that child is thriving in school. The bigger picture is this: when funders see the ripple effect of their investment, they understand it’s not just about one service—it’s about changing the trajectory of entire families. That’s why our stories matter.”
Connecting to Day-to-Day Home Visiting
At Way to Grow, Family Educators use the Parents as Teachers program with families. How do these ideas about funder relationships connect to the day-to-day work of home visiting?
“Home visitors are on the frontlines, walking into homes every day, building trust with families. The resources, training, and stability that make their work possible come from funder partnerships. When funders understand the value of home visiting, they’re not just writing a check—they’re directly supporting that Family Educator who shows up with books, screenings, and encouragement. Strong partnerships mean our educators can focus on the family, not on whether funding will be there tomorrow.”
Learn more about how our Family Educators support families through home visiting.
Sharing This Message with the Broader Community
What excites you most about sharing this message with the broader Parents as Teachers community?
“What excites me is the chance to inspire other leaders to see partnership-building as a creative, human process—not just a transactional one. We’re stronger when we share strategies, celebrate wins, and acknowledge the real struggles. I want people to walk away feeling energized, connected, and ready to be High-Flyers in their own communities. Together, we can elevate this work and ensure families everywhere get the support they deserve.”
Representing Excellence
Reflecting on Way to Grow’s presence at the conference, Ms. Patricia shared: “We’ve been trained and equipped with deep knowledge of the Parents as Teachers curriculum, and it shows—our passion and expertise inspire other affiliates everywhere we go. We’re not just representing our organization; we’re representing excellence, dedication, and heart.”
We’re proud of Ms. Patricia for representing Way to Grow and grateful to the Minnesota Department of Health for their continued partnership through the Strong Foundations grant. This collaboration allows us to serve more families, deliver high-quality programming, and build a stronger Minnesota. Ms. Patricia’s message at the conference was clear: when funders and grantees fly together, families soar. That’s what it means to reach new heights.
Strong partnerships make our work possible. Your gift helps Family Educators support families every day. Give today to make an impact and learn more about our programming:
- Want to learn more about Way to Grow’s home visiting programs? Visit waytogrow.org/enroll to connect with us or explore how we support families from pregnancy through third grade.
- Read more about Way to Grow or learn about the Parents as Teachers model.
