“Authentic, equity-centered family engagement is essential to fully realize the potential of schools to promote student well-being. Garbacz, Minch, and Weist equip school K–12 administrators and educators with an understanding of the value of and evidence for meaningful partnerships between schools and families. Importantly, readers will walk away with practical school–family partnership strategies at each tier of student support. This book is essential reading for those committed to achieving positive mental health and academic outcomes for their students.”

—Sharon A. Hoover, PhD, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine; Co-Director, National Center for School Mental Health


“This book stands out as a vital resource for educators, practitioners, and administrators. Its unique approach integrates family engagement into the MTSS framework, offering practical strategies for addressing academic, behavioral, and social–emotional needs at every tier. The case studies and reproducible forms will help educators apply the book's data-based strategies in their classrooms or professional development sessions. The book provides practical insights to foster authentic collaboration between schools and historically marginalized families, making it an indispensable tool for cultivating inclusive educational environments.”

—Janine Jones, PhD, NCSP, College of Education, University of Washington


“As director of a statewide technical assistance center for implementing MTSS, I am thrilled to see that this book offers concrete practices, case examples, and recommended processes for integrating families into the MTSS framework. Meaningfully engaging families in decision making around student success and school systems is critical yet challenging, so access to these authors' knowledge and experience is incredibly beneficial. This book gives us new ideas to further hone our training materials and improve supports to school teams integrating family leadership across the tiers.”

—Ashley E. Greenwald, PhD, BCBA-D, Research Associate Professor and Director, Nevada Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Technical Assistance Center, University of Nevada, Reno