How should we involve parents and caregivers in Hope Squad?

Parents and caregivers can be valuable partners in strengthening Hope Squad both at home and across the school community. Family involvement should extend beyond simply providing permission for students to participate.

Schools can involve families by inviting them to:

• Support fundraising and sustainability efforts for Squad activities, Hope Week, supplies, or other school-approved needs.
• Participate in or volunteer for schoolwide activities, awareness events, recognition events, or family engagement opportunities.
• Use Hope Squad’s home extension resources and conversation starters to reinforce learning about connection, help-seeking, trusted adults, coping, and other prevention topics at home.
• Attend parent education or information opportunities to better understand the program and how to support students.
• Help with appropriate event logistics, materials, recognition, or other practical needs that support Advisors and Members.
• Share Hope Squad’s message and community support opportunities with local organizations and other families.

Family involvement should be flexible and appropriate to each school community. Parents and caregivers can strengthen the program without replacing student leadership, Advisor oversight, or administrator responsibility. They should not be involved in confidential student referrals, individual student concerns, or crisis-response decisions.

The goal is to make families active partners in building a culture of connection and help-seeking while giving them meaningful, practical ways to support the program.