Caregivers play a crucial role in the physical and emotional development of their children and it is critical that they are involved in their child’s mental health treatment. A family engagement liaison from the Carolina Family Engagement Center partners with Anderson District Two to foster true family engagement that goes beyond attendance at family-school events. True family engagement involves motivating and empowering families to recognize their own needs, strengths, and resources and to take an active role in changing things for the better. Lorilei Swanson is the Upstate Regional Family Engagement Liaison for Carolina Family Engagement Center. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Professional Counselor with a PhD in Educational Leadership from Clemson University. Lorilei has a lifelong passion for strengthening families and building community connections through her previous work experience at the National Dropout Prevention Center, International Center for Service-Learning in Teacher Education and the School District of Oconee as well as her long-term volunteer and leadership experience on School Improvement Councils in the Walhalla area.