2026 Family Leadership Training Institute

Apply to be a member of the 2026 Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI) starting in September!

 

Do you want to make a difference in your community, advocate for your family, and develop the skills to create positive change? FLTI can help you turn your passion into action, build your leadership skills, and learn how to make a difference in your community.

Interested participants will complete an application and participate in a short interview to ensure FLTI is a good fit for their goals. Apply by DEADLINE.

FLTI is a free 20-week training program for parents, caregivers, and community members who want to strengthen their voice in civic participation and decision-making. 
 

Phase 1: September-November | Phase 2: February-April
Mondays: 9:00am-12:30pm
Larimer County Extension Office
 

The program uses the nationally recognized National Parent Leadership Institute (NPLI) curriculum to build skills in:

  • Leadership styles
  • Public speaking
  • Building networks
  • How to work with the media
  • How government works
  • Successful policy formation
  • Developing your leadership style


Participants will:

  • Learn from local and state leaders and elected officials
  • Gain skills in civic engagement, leadership, and advocacy
  • Understand community needs, data, and policy-making
  • Develop and lead a community project focused on children, youth, and families
  • Visit the Colorado State Capitol 
  • Receive a certificate from the Governor’s Office

Breakfast and light snacks included.

Whether you are a parent, grandparent, caregiver, volunteer, or community member, FLTI can help you strengthen your leadership skills and make a difference in your community. More than 1,000 community and family leaders have graduated from FLTI across Colorado since 2009!


Be a part of FLTI 2026: 

Complete an online application or contact Lisa Auer: [email protected] | 970.498.6013

 

Find out more about FLTI: http://fltiofcolorado.colostate.edu

  • Retreat: Creating a Caring Community for Children 
    • GOAL: To develop a participant community and understanding of when and how a community  cares for children. 
  • Session 1: Thriving with Diversity in the Group Process 
    • GOAL: To acquire knowledge regarding diversity, ethnic, class and race differences. 
  • Session 2: The Change Process 
    • GOAL: To understand what creates change within self, family and community. 
  • Session 3: Parents as Change Agents 
    • GOAL: To help parents perceive themselves as change agents and to understand obstacles to  leadership. 
  • Session 4: How to Define a Problem and Work Toward a Solution 
    • GOAL: To begin working through problems with developed strategy and conflict resolution skills. 
  • Session 5: The Intentional Use of Language 
    • GOAL: To understand the importance of using language to create a framework and express  viewpoints. 
  • Session 6: Learning How a Community Works 
    • GOAL: To begin mapping communities with increased understanding of assets,  resources and communication flow. 
  • Session 7: How Local Systems Work and How to Interact With Them 
    • GOAL: To increase awareness of the structure of local institutions and systems through  attention to budget, policy and communication. 
  • Session 8: Networks 
    • GOAL: To further access goals for children and enable partners to reach goals. 
  • Session 9: The Power of the Media and How to Use it 
    • GOAL: To increase understanding of print and electronic media, how it works and how to access it. 
  • Session 10: Using Your Voice 
    • GOAL: To bolster confidence, self-awareness and the impact of self-presentation.
  • Session 11: The Life Cycle of the Child and the Functions of the Family 
    • GOAL: To attain a beginning understanding of family function, family structure, and child  development. 
  • Session 12: Social and Economic Trends Affecting Children and Families 
    • GOAL: To understand the social, economic and demographic factors affecting child health,  learning, safety and care-giving. 
  • Session 13: What is Public Policy? 
    • GOAL: To understand public policy as a vehicle for democracy, citizen input, and change for  children. 
  • Session 14: How the State Government Works 
    • GOAL: To understand how government can be utilized by citizens to affect dialogue and change  for the public good. 
  • Session 15: How a City/County Works 
    • GOAL: To understand how parents can interface with elected officials, city/county departments,  and school boards to communicate and affect change for the public good. 
  • Session 16: How Do We Understand the Law 
    • GOAL: To demystify law with increased comfort reading children’s law. 
    • Session 17: Budgets – From Wallets to State – It’s all Money and Priorities GOAL: To increase comfort level with fiscal analysis of children’s policy and programs. 
  • Session 18: Evaluation, Outcomes and Accountability 
    • GOAL: To gain a beginning understanding of benchmarks and evaluative longitudinal tools. 
  • Session 19: The Magic of the Unexpected: Forming New Alliances 
    • GOAL: To increase understanding of the dynamics of policy change, coalition building, and social  climate. 
  • Session 20: Language: Packaging and Moving Agendas 

GOAL: To recognize the connection between language and clarity of goal and constituency.