a parent’s perspective on family centered practices

Debra HollowayThe Arc of Virginia

Director of Training and Technical Assistance

A Parent’s Perspective on

Family Centered Practices

Today We Will Cover Introduction – me and you Family Centered Practices Strategies to Operationalize Video – “Embrace Possibilities” Discussion Q &A Reflections/Continuous Improvement

Oldest Human Rights Organization for

People with Developmental Disabilities

• 25 local chapters in the Commonwealth

• Non-profit• Promote and protect

human rights• Support full inclusion

AdvocacyEarly Intervention Family Support Network.Early Intervention AdvocacyInformation and Referral

Parent

What is Your Role?Early Intervention

Early Childhood Education

Head Start

Parent

Paraprofessionals

Supervisors

Family Centered Practices

Emphasis on strengths

Promoting family choice and control over desired resources

Development of collaborative relationship between parents and professionals.

ESPE-SHERWINDT

Does it Make a Difference?

Research has tied the use of Family Centered Practice to positive child and family outcomes.

-Parent Satisfaction

-Sense of Control

-Family Well-being

-Family competence and confidence

All of these significantly impact a child’s development

Efficacy of Family Centered Practices

This Happens across diverseSettings and programs

Types of families, including those with parent’s with Intellectual Disabilities

Economic background

MARILYN ESPE-SHERWINDT

Easier Said Than Done!

Time Inclination Training Federal and State Rules and

Regulations

Communication Building Relationships-Active listening-Empathy-Caring/Warmth-Trust

Not Enough!

Professionals are Often Less Family-Centered

Than They Think “Families become the ultimate

decision makers and agents of change”

Dunst, 2002

Strategies to Operationalize

Families understanding the service and their role

Families and the grief cycleHonoring ethnic, cultural and socio-economic diversity

Families – strengths and coping skills

What Am I Doing Here?

Leadership and Advocacy

ConsultantProfessionals adopting a family-centered model are asked to replace the role of decision-maker, agenda-setter, advice-prescriber and expert with the more challenging role of partner, listener, facilitator and consultant (Mikus, Benn and Weatherston, 1994).

Giving complete unbiased informationDo not focus on compliance – shared

purposeResist giving prescriptive adviceDo not give up when faced with hostility,

indifference or rejectionAccepting shades of greyPay attention to the only behaviors you

can control – your own

Embrace Possibilities

SpecialQuest Multimedia Training Library

QuestionsDiscussion Continuous ImprovementFamily-centered practice: collaboration, competency and evidenceMARILYN ESPE-SHERWINDTDebra Holloway

The Arc of Virginia

Director of Training and Technical Assistance

dholloway@thearcofva.org

804-649-8481 ext. 103