The SAFI model as a critical link between marginalized families and schools: A literature review and strategies for school counselors

Schools have a vital role in more effectively working with students at risk by linking with families that are disengaged from their children's education. Family participation in students' education has been shown to positively affect academic, behavioral, and social development. School counselors can be leaders in facilitating family-school partnerships to foster academic and career success for all students. This article presents an overview of the current research about family and school linkages and offers a new model, The School and Family Intervention Model (SAFI), for school counselors. The model provides strategies for better cooperation with marginalized families aimed at ensuring an interactive and dynamic collaboration and explores this work within the context of systems change to improve academic success, reduce at-risk behaviors, and increase family involvement.