Using Parent Training and Information Centers to Support Families Receiving Early Intervention Washington PAVE Cassie Johnston Parent Participation Coordinator for Infant and Toddler Early Intervention Program Infant and Toddler Early Intervention Program

History of Partnership  Contracted Position at PAVE funded by IDEA Part C in Washington  Act as a liaison across State and National Family Organization  Provides technical assistance, training on family centered care and parent involvement  Provide training to at risk families on ITEIP

Role with SICC  Support and mentor SICC Parent Representatives in all activities  Recruit Parents for SICC, Family Leadership and CICC  Act as liaison between parent training and lead agency and families on SICC  Chair family involvement and parent scholarships for Infant and Early Childhood yearly conference

Current Activities  Assisted in the development of a plan for training and advocacy for Birth to Three families  Adapting curriculum “Families are Important” and transition curriculum  Curriculum will be a product of Parent Training and distributed through the Parent Participation Coordinator  Funded by the Parent Training Center  Adapted in a collaborative partnership

Challenges  Enhance but not duplicate parent training work  Clarifying roles of technical assistance verses advocacy  Taking the time to promote collaboration and partnerships between the parent representatives, parent training and the lead agency

“In organizations, real power and energy is generated through relationships. The patterns of relationships and the capacities to form them are more important than tasks, functions, roles, and positions ” Margaret Wheatly, Leadership and the new science