To sustain broad support, it is important to consider the stakeholders in your program. Stakeholders consist of a variety of people who have a concern and interest in the work you do and the outcomes you and your team produce. They include first and foremost your clientele--the potential participants in your educational programs. Other stakeholders are Extension personnel on all levels, state Extension administrators, other county and state agency representatives, city officials, county commissioners and boards, school representatives, other family life professionals, state and national legislators, and advocates for your program area. Consider your most important stakeholders. Informally or formally ask them some broad questions such as: What results would you like to see over the next year for parenting education? What results would you like to see in two years?
Some stakeholders will not have a clue as to the needs of parents and how educators approach these needs. Use this opportunity to educate them about the field of possibilities. For example, tell stakeholders about the ways we approach child abuse and neglect, how we work towards an increased understanding of what is appropriate to expect from children at various ages of development, or how to discipline appropriately at different ages, or how we work on helping parents manage anger and stress. These are prevention programs and can lead to decreases in domestic and child abuse at the macro level.
At the end of the Extension Parenting Evaluation Decision Framework Model, you will eventually report back to your stakeholders about program successes. The end of the model is the beginning of adjusting and redesigning programs which are even more beneficial to local clientele.