1. Using Family-Centered Practices to Promote Family Outcomes Don Bailey Melissa Raspa ECO Annual Conference July 30, 2010

2. Goals for Today Review types of family outcomes Discuss family-centered practices that promote family outcomes Provide examples of TA and training activities that are geared towards enhancing family outcomes Early Childhood Outcomes Center

3. Early intervention services should lead to improved child and family outcomes Early Intervention Child-Focused Services Family-Focused Services Child Outcomes Family Outcomes Family NeedsConcerns ResourcesPriorities Goals Developmental Status Functional Abilities Disability Type Learning Style Child

4. ECO Recommended Outcomes Understand their child’s strengths, abilities, and special needs Know their rights and advocate effectively for their children Help their children develop and learn Have support systems Access desired services, programs, activities in their community Early Childhood Outcomes Center

5. Understanding practices, family satisfaction, and outcomes can lead to program improvement Early Intervention Child-Focused Services Family-Focused Services Child Outcomes Family Outcomes Family NeedsConcerns ResourcesPriorities Goals Developmental Status Functional Abilities Disability Type Learning Style Child Best Practices? Family Satisfaction? Outcomes Achieved?

6. Early Childhood Outcomes Center Family-Centered Principles and Practices Understand child’s abilities and special needs Know rights and advocate effectively Help child develop and learn Have support systems Access the community Family-Centered Principles Program ActivitiesFamily Outcomes Shared philosophy Families as partners Focus on strengths Family choice of goals and services Collaboration and coordination of service Effective communication Flexibility Community-based Referral and intake Determining eligibility Child assessment Family assessment Team meetings and decision-making Service provision and coordination Parenting practices Community support

7. Example 1: Key questions about program philosophy about working with families Is a family focus central to our program philosophy and shared by all team members? Have families been invited to collaborate in the development of our program philosophy? Are our interactions with families mostly positive? Do we respect family diversity in beliefs, values, and coping style? Are our services flexible enough to meet individual family needs? Does our IFSP process recognize and support informal support systems? Do we allow families to refuse help?

8. Example 2: Key questions about involving families in child assessments Do we try to determine family preferences about the purpose and format of child assessment, as well as their wish to be involved? Does the family’s perception of child needs and family routines determine the focus of assessment? Do we listen to family preferences in determining settings, times, and parent roles in child assessment? Do we address children’s strengths in the assessment process? Do we accept and use parents’ reports of their children’s abilities? Do we convey assessment information in a sensitive and jargon-free fashion?

9. Example 3: Key questions about involving families in team meetings and decision- making Do we try to determine family preferences regarding their role on the team? Do families have input on team membership? Do we employ strategies to make sure that families feel comfortable participating in tem meetings? Do we function as a team or as individual specialists? Do we support families in preparing for participation in team meetings? Do we hold our meetings in settings and times convenient to the family? Do we respect parents’ decisions even if professionals disagree?

10. Linking Outcomes with Practices Early Childhood Outcomes Center

11. Referral and Intake Family Centered Practice We know our rights related to our child’s special needs Early Childhood Outcomes Center Providing information and explaining your rights in ways that are easy for you to understand Family Outcome

12. Child and Family Assessment Family Centered Practice We are able to work on our child’s goals during everyday routines Early Childhood Outcomes Center Family Outcome Sharing ideas on how to include your child in daily activities

13. Service Provision and Coordination Family Centered Practice We are able to find and use the services and programs available to us Early Childhood Outcomes Center Family Outcome Connecting you with other services or people who can help your child and family

14. Up Next… M’Lisa Shelden and Dathan Rush, FIPP, NC –Overview of family-centered practices that promote family outcomes –Focus on professional development activities Chase Bolds, GA Part C Coordinator –Examples of professional development activities conducted in GA that link to family outcomes Early Childhood Outcomes Center14