debra holloway the arc of virginia director of training and technical assistance a parent’s...
TRANSCRIPT
Debra Holloway
The 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
Advocacy
Early Intervention Family Support Network.
Early Intervention Advocacy
Information 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 diverse
Settings 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 cycle
Honoring ethnic, cultural and socio-economic diversity
Families – strengths and coping skills
What Am I Doing Here?
Leadership and Advocacy
Consultant
Professionals 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 information
Do not focus on compliance – shared purpose
Resist giving prescriptive advice
Do not give up when faced with hostility, indifference or rejection
Accepting shades of grey
Pay attention to the only behaviors you can control – your own
Embrace Possibilities
SpecialQuest Multimedia Training Library
Questions
Discussion
Continuous Improvement
Family-centered practice: collaboration, competency and evidence
MARILYN ESPE-SHERWINDT
Debra Holloway
The Arc of Virginia
Director of Training and Technical Assistance
804-649-8481 ext. 103