2026 Jan Harp Domene Award Winners
Edwin Aldrin PTA (Schaumburg, Ill.)
Edwin Aldrin PTA has implemented several initiatives to help families who have historically been less engaged feel welcomed and included. Their PTA uses multiple communication channels—printed bulletins, multilingual newsletters and social media posts—to reach families in accessible ways and they have made event promotions available in multiple languages. Edwin Aldrin PTA also offers translation support at meetings and events so non-English-speaking members can fully participate, and their family-friendly events—such as Library Nights and Ready, Tech, Go! workshops—invite participation from all backgrounds. In collaboration with school social workers, Edwin Aldrin PTA organized an event for families of students with disabilities, introducing them to PTA activities and helping them feel part of the Aldrin community. Their Multicultural Night also features an adaptive space to ensure all families can experience the event’s cultural richness. Edwin Aldrin PTA’s inclusive approach has fostered a sense of belonging, gratitude and trust across their community—leading to increased volunteerism; greater family engagement in school life, especially among families who were previously less involved; and a stronger, more vibrant community where families of all backgrounds feel empowered to participate, contribute and support student success.
Challenger Middle School PTSA (Huntsville, Ala.)
Challenger Middle School PTSA has made intentional efforts to ensure families who have not historically been engaged feel welcomed and included in their work. Recognizing that language barriers often prevented Spanish-speaking families from being able to participate fully, they created a Hispanic Relations role on their PTSA board. The role focuses on building trust, ensuring communications are translated and personally inviting families to events. At their school open house, the PTSA had a dedicated table specifically for families who speak Spanish, giving them a safe and welcoming place to ask questions, receive resources in their preferred language and connect directly with bilingual PTSA leaders. In addition, the PTSA provides bilingual communication so that families always have access to information. They also highlight programs that ensure families facing financial hardship know they are supported and valued. As a result of their efforts, attendance of Hispanic families at PTSA events has increased and families facing financial hardship feel more supported. Their PTSA leadership also now better reflects the diversity of their school community, strengthening communication, trust and family engagement as well as their ability to advocate for equity, inclusion and student success. By removing barriers and creating welcoming entry points, Challenger Middle School PTSA continues to build a culture where every family knows they belong and their voice matters.
Redlands Special Education PTA (Redlands, Calif.)
Redlands Special Education PTA has focused on reaching families who have historically been left out of both PTA and school activities—particularly families of children with disabilities and families who are English Language Learners. To support disability inclusion, the PTA created the Sensory Dispensary, a mobile thera-play unit that provides sensory-friendly, therapeutic activities at schools, carnivals and districtwide events. This allows children with sensory needs to fully participate in activities that might otherwise be overwhelming, while creating space for students with and without disabilities to play together. To support language access, the PTA launched a Translation Initiative to ensure all flyers are translated into Spanish, provide live Spanish interpretation at workshops and purchase translation devices to accommodate up to 44 languages in their district. They also began outreach at cultural events like Día de los Muertos to meet families where they are. These efforts have ensured that their PTA is more reflective of the families they serve, while making families who have historically been excluded feel seen, supported and encouraged to join PTA events and leadership.