Family Friendly Certifications
FAMILY FRIENDLY CERTIFICATION
Washington County Schools is proud to have earned and maintained Family Friendly GOLD Certification across all schools and early childhood programs. In this special Q&A, the Prichard Committee sat down with Superintendent Dr. Robin Cochran to discuss what the certification means in everyday practice. Read the full interview HERE.
Dr. Robin Cochran, Ed.D.
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On November 17, 2025 , Superintendent Dr. Cochran spoke at the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence's kickoff for Family and Community Engagement in Education Week (November 17-21, 2025) at The Foundry in Frankfort. She shared how family engagement is truly a way of life in Washington and our commitment and promise to empower families and individualize opportunities for every student. She additionally highlighted the meaningful work of our schoool staff and school leaders who elevate family and student voices through equitable practices every day. The district was once again recognized for its Family Friendly GOLD Certification, which was earned for the second time earlier in 2025. As of 2025, Washington County Schools has remained the sole district with all schools and early childhood centers Family Friendly GOLD certified.
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In May 2025, all schools in the Washington County School District - Washington County Elementary, Washington County Middle School, North Washington Elementary School and Washington County High School, as well as each of our early childhood programs, Washington County Early Childhood and North Washington Early Childhood, have earned Family Friendly GOLD certification from the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence's Kentucky Collaborative for Families and Schools, for the second year in a row! School leaders and staff were recognized at the 2025 Groundswell Summit in Paducah in June.
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In May 2024, all schools in the Washington County School District - Washington County Elementary School, Washington County Middle School, North Washington Elementary School and Washington County High School, as well as each of our early childhood programs, Washington County Early Childhood and North Washington Early Childhood, have earned Family Friendly GOLD certification from the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence’s Kentucky Collaborative for Families and Schools. According to the Prichard Committee, criteria for GOLD certification level includes schools demonstrating skills in engaging families as co-creators in the education process, and teachers and staff in those schools employing multiple, equity-driven strategies to individualize engagement with families. School leaders and staff were recognized at the 2024 Groundswell Summit in Owensboro in June.
HISTORY: Each school in the Washington County School District was recognized as Family Friendly Certified by the Kentucky Collaborative for Families and Schools and the Kentucky Department of Education in 2022, and earned re-certification in 2023. Washington County Early Childhood and North Washington Early Childhood also achieved the certification in 2023. Family Friendly Certificates are awarded by a working group of families, educators and community organizations within the KCFS, which is focused on increasing open communication, learning opportunities, and shared decision-making power across the Kentucky education system. The Kentucky Department of Education tracks the number of certified Family Friendly schools as a measurement for improving family and community engagement in Kentucky schools. WCES, NWES, WCMS and WCHS each originally earned the certification last year, after being selected in 2021 to participate in a peer learning group with the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence through the KCFS to increase family engagement to expand student outcomes in learning. The district later became the second in the Commonwealth with all schools certified. Take a look at what our schools and childhood centers have accomplished!
KENTUCKY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS INITIATIVE
Washington County Schools received a $1.5 million five-year grant through the Prichard Committee in 2023 to begin the Kentucky Community Schools Initiative in our own district. The grant will focus on Washington County Elementary School and North Washington Elementary School. Community Schools are defined as an evidence-based strategy to advance equity and reduce barriers to learning by providing the services needed to support student and family well-being. Through trusting relationships and well-coordinated support, community schools ensure that students receive the health, social service, and learning opportunities they need to be successful. Each community school is a unique representation of the community’s needs and resources. No two community schools will look identical.
KCSI aims to embed the four pillars of community schools, tailored to the local need and resources.
The four pillars are as follows:
- Active family and community engagement
- Integrated supports
- Expanded and enriched learning times
- Collaborative leadership and practices
Embedded within the four pillars are pipeline services for students and families.
- Encouraging family and community involvement
- Community-based support for students
- High quality early education programs
- High quality education programs both inside and outside the classroom
- Helping students smoothly transition between different school levels
- Support post-secondary and workforce readiness
- Social, health, nutrition and mental health services
- Juvenile crime prevention and rehabilitation programs
Commander Ready Collaborative
