Four Kansas Parents as Teachers affiliates have been named Blue Ribbon affiliates by the Parents as Teachers National Center.

These four affiliates achieved the highest level designation in this years’ cohort of programs engaging in Quality Endorsement and Improvement Project (QEIP).

Each year, Kansas has a different group of affiliates engage in the continuous quality improvement process, said Lisa Williams, Parents as Teachers consultant for the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).

By receiving this prestigious endorsement from PATNC, these four affiliates are among the top-performing home visiting affiliates within the PAT international network, Williams said.

The following PAT affiliates received Blue Ribbon status:

• Goddard Unified School District 265 Parents as Teachers.
• St. John-Hudson USD 350 Parents as Teachers.
• Hays USD 489 Parents as Teachers.
• Topeka USD 501 Parents as Teachers.

The four affiliates engaged in a rigorous 15-month study and record review to determine eligibility for the designation. The process included a self-study and review from PATNC on 21 Essential Requirements and 81 Quality Standards, including review of a comprehensive program policy, procedures and protocol manual. The Quality Endorsement and Improvement Project is similar to the school accreditation process in which districts engage in to demonstrate the quality of educational services.

The quality review process confirms that the affiliate is meeting Parents as Teachers’ standards of fidelity and quality. Blue Ribbon affiliates are exemplary programs delivering the highest quality services to children and families, Williams said.