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 25 local chapters in the Commonwealth Non-profit Non-profit Promote and protect human rights Promote and protect human rights Support full inclusion Support full inclusion

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What is Your Role? Early Intervention Early Childhood Education Head Start ParentParaprofessionalsSupervisors

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 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 ext. 103