Friday Cafe
WHAT IS
Friday Cafe
Friday Café is a signature professional learning series hosted by the Connecticut Statewide Family Engagement Center (CT SFEC), designed to bring together educators, family engagement professionals, and community partners in a collaborative, welcoming environment.
Now in its 10th year (2025–2026), Friday Café creates space for meaningful dialogue, shared learning, and the exchange of high-impact strategies that strengthen family-school-community partnerships across Connecticut.
Inspiration
Connection
Reflection
Community
ABOUT FRIDAY CAFE
What You Can Expect
The CAFÉ Framework: CAFÉ stands for Community and Family Engagement and reflects the four core pillars that guide every session:
C – Community
Connections
Building strong partnerships between schools, families, and the community to support student success.
A – Authentic Relationships
Fostering trust, belonging, and meaningful engagement with families as true partners in education.
F – Family Voice & Leadership
Elevating family perspectives and creating opportunities for shared decision-making and leadership.
E – Equitable Practices
Advancing inclusive, culturally responsive strategies that ensure all families are welcomed, valued, and supported.
Why It Matters
Friday CAFÉ creates a welcoming space for professionals who support families to connect, reflect, and grow together. It builds community, strengthens professional identity, and promotes inclusive, equitable practices. By rethinking traditional professional development, Friday CAFÉ helps foster stronger, more meaningful partnerships between families, schools, and communities.
Mission & Goals
- Strengthen Community and Family Engagement practices statewide
- Build strong, trusting relationships between families, schools, and communities
- Elevate promising practices in family engagement statewide
- Strengthen educator capacity through shared learning and collaboration
- Promote equitable, inclusive, and welcoming school environments
- Center student success through authentic family partnership
NEXT STEPS
How the Process Works
Join our statewide network to receive free, exclusive family‑engagement tools, newsletters, coaching, and event invites.
2. Become a CFSP Partner!
Join our statewide family engagement network.
3. Gain Exclusive Resources
Gain access to family engagement trainings and programming.