Evidence Based Practices for Effective Collaboration with Families

June 16-19, 2009

Adams Alumni Center, Lawrence, KS

Most would agree that when families and professionals work together in a climate of mutual trust and respect, everybody wins, especially the young child for whom early intervention/early childhood special education is being provided. To create such a climate requires professionals to have knowledge and skills that go far beyond the creation and implementation of traditional “parent involvement” activities. Professionals must be aware of interpersonal dynamics and facilitate positive interactions with families while at the same time have an understanding of the specific supports from which families can build upon their strengths (e.g. family guided services). This can seem a daunting task, given the unique and diverse nature of ability and culture within specific families.

Family guided services empower families to be full and participating partners in assessment(s), intervention planning, and provision of services to their children. However, before such activities can begin, professionals must work to establish a positive, respectful, and collaborative relationship, which can be made or lost in the first stages of communication. To set the stage for a positive beginning, professionals must be prepared to share information to families that is truthful, hopeful, strengths based, and provided in a format that is appropriate for each individual family. To communicate more effectively professionals must understand the role culture plays in shaping beliefs, biases, assumptions, and the decisions that are made on behalf of children; for themselves as well as the families they serve.

This year the Summer Institute is designed to develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed by professionals to empower families, including those who are ability or culturally diverse, and is supported in the most current research and evidence base. Participants will be lead by nationally recognized speakers, and participate in skill development and networking activities, that result in critical self-reflection and sensitivity to the uniqueness of families. All of this information will be shared within the context of developmentally appropriate services provided in natural and least restrictive environments.

Day 1, Tuesday, June 16

Jean Ann Summers, Ph. D., Beach Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas and Connie Zienkewicz, Parent Co-Presenter

Evidence Based Practice: Foundations for Family Guided Services

The first day of the Summer Institute will focus on what is meant by family guided practice, the importance of first messages towards building trust with families and methods for providing information, material and emotional supports to families in ways that are respectful and sensitive.

Day 2, Wednesday, June 17

Susan Moore, Ph. D., University of Colorado & Clara Perez-Mendez, Colorado Parent Resource Center

Evidence Based Strategies for Working with Families Who are Culturally Diverse

This session will provide information regarding the role culture plays in interpersonal dynamics for both professionals and family members. Information and activities will stimulate self-awareness regarding participants own cultures and strategies for effectively recognizing values and assumptions that may pose challenges in communication will also be provided. Cross cultural service delivery and the use of cultural mediators will also be discussed.

Day 3, Thursday, June 18

Marilyn Espe-Sherwindt, Ph.D., Kent State University

Evidence Based Strategies for Collaborating with Families Who are Ability Diverse & Methods for Adapting Communication that Benefit All

This session will apply the family guided philosophy to those families that come to the table with different experiences and skill levels. The presenter will discuss the myths and realities of working with family members who may have cognitive or other challenges,
and introduce methods for utilizing the professional and family relationship as an intervention.  In addition, specific communication skills including “third space” and discussions regarding “the elephant in the room” will be discussed.

Day 4, Friday, June 19

Pam Winton, Ph.D., University of North Carolina

Bridging What We Know with What We Do

The final day of the Summer Institute will outline how practitioners can integrate the research and evidence based strategies covered in the previous days with their own experiences and deeply held beliefs to inform future decisions. The presenter will lead the group through critical reflections activities and focus on self-reflection and evaluation of one’s own practice. Time will be allotted to practice new skills as well as stimulate dialogue and discussion.

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