Summer 1999:  ECFE Around the Block is launched as a Catalytic Community Partnership by Bill Doherty. For three years he works with over 30 ECFE parent educators to articulate the vision, principles, and skills for citizen professionals to engage parents in public work to benefit all families and children in their community.

Summer 2002: Community Engaged Parent Education began with 4 metro-area parent educators, mentored by Bill and Beth Cutting, to more intensively craft the skills of civic deliberation within ECFE parent classes as well as public action in the community. Based on the vision, principles, and skills developed by ECFE Around the Block, this new initiative used a small group format to support participants as they further develop the skills and apply them in their classes.

Summer 2004: A proposal is submitted to McKnight Foundation for funding to disseminate the project statewide over a three year period, through mentoring parent educator interns and developing a civic parent network.

December 2004: McKnight Foundation agrees to fully fund Community Engaged Parent Education for approximately two years plus a third year if matching funds are obtained from other foundations or community partners.

April 2005: Statewide recruitment of parent educators and orientation of new interns into the goals and mission of the project.

Fall 2005 to present: Six parent education mentors and 36 interns throughout to Spring Minnesota work together to build parents’ capacity for community engagement through a combination of small regional groups, individual support, observation, and statewide trainings. We work to transform the profession of parent education to include a citizen-professional role.