Merced County Office of Education Celebrates Parent Leadership Training Institute Graduates

The Merced County Office of Education Early Education Department held ceremonies in Los Banos and Merced to celebrate nearly 50 graduates of the Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI), a free training program that empowers parents and community members to become advocates for children and families in their communities.

The ceremonies, held at the Los Banos Community Center on March 26 and the MCOE Downtown Center on April 2, honored the accomplishments of 48 parent graduates total, with 28 participants in Merced and 20 in Los Banos. Each graduate successfully completed 22 weeks of leadership development training. 

Additionally, 29 children were honored for their participation in the Children’s Leadership Training Institute (CLTI) alongside their parents, with 22 children honored in Merced and seven celebrated in Los Banos. The CLTI is a companion program that helps children develop leadership skills and acts as a childcare component for parents in the PLTI.

Both events brought together families, educators and community leaders to honor and recognize graduates’ commitment to civic engagement and leadership.

The Parent Leadership Training Institute is a free training program designed to empower parents, caregivers and community members to become advocates in their communities. The program provides participants with the knowledge, skills and confidence to influence policies and systems that affect the well-being of children and families.

The Children Leadership Training Institute operates alongside PLTI and offers a childcare component for parents in addition to a structured, educational experience for children that reflects the leadership values taught to parents.