Juntos Helps Families Prepare for Education Beyond High School
Helping a child succeed in school and prepare for education beyond high school can challenge any parent. When
parents have not experienced college, it can be difficult to know how to create a path for their child to go to college.
In Iowa, college participation is lowest among youth who live in families with low incomes and among Latino youth.
“Juntos Para Una Mejor Educación” or “Together for a Better Education” is a series of workshops for parents and
middle school youth to help them gain knowledge, skills and confidence, and access resources that will help youth be
successful in school, as well as pursue higher education. High school youth are welcome to participate as well.
“Juntos means together in Spanish,” said Cindy Thompson, a human sciences specialist in family life with Iowa State
University Extension and Outreach. The program brings together Latino families, school staff and community partners
to promote academic success and high school graduation among youth. Youth explore different paths they may take
– a college or university, community college or trade school, a degree or certification, and so on. In some
communities, such as Des Moines and Muscatine, family fun nights, academic mentoring and additional life skill
development for youth through 4-H are offered in addition to the workshop series.
ISU Extension and Outreach partners with local organizations and schools to implement Juntos and some or all of the
wrap-around components in communities. The program is led by a community team that commonly includes
representatives from schools, public and private youth and family community-based organizations, as well as faith
organizations.
“In Juntos we come together for five to six workshops. We begin each session with a family meal. During the
sessions parents and youth spend part of the time together, and then part of the time as a group of parents or a
group of youth. During the first session we discuss the importance of education and how parents and youth can work
together to make education a family goal,” Thompson said.
Parents and youth learn to communicate better with each other, as well as with school staff to help youth be
successful in school, and to think about their future. Families learn about skills that are important for youth to develop,
and how to create a plan of action to help youth be successful in school and be prepared to go to college. Families
learn about courses youth need to take in high school to prepare for college, how to create an environment at home
to help youth learn, how and when to apply to college, and ways to save for and pay for college.
After participating in Juntos, parents felt more confident working with their youth’s school, were more likely to pay
attention to their child’s homework and increased communication with their youth about high school, college or other
future plans, Thompson said. Parents also were more empowered to advocate and work to improve their schools.
If you are planning a Juntos program in your county, add information about your local program here – dates, times,
locations, contact, etc. OR, you could highlight a Juntos program you’ve already completed. If neither option applies
to you, then do not include.
For more information about “Juntos: Together for a Better Education,” contact Cindy Thompson at 641-229-6655 or
cpthom08@iastate.edu or visit the website, www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/juntos.