Project Prepare
by Sally E. Pisarchick, Phillip Safford, Judith Stahlman,
Diane Wells, Denise Byo, Jeannie Defazio, Jan Smith and Joyce Davies

Family Collaboration

MODULE DEVELOPMENT TEAM from West Central Ohio SERRC

• Janet Adkins: Family Coordinator, West Central Ohio SERRC
• Marlene Graf: Early Childhood Coordinator, West Central Ohio SERRC
• Ron Pepple: Curriculum Supervisor, Hardin County Board of Education
• Roxanne Welsh: Early Intervention Instructor/Parent Education Coordinator, Shelby County Board of MR/DD
• Barbara Winzenried: Instructional Resource Coordinator, West Central Ohio SERRC

Special thanks go to the following individuals:

• Denise Christiansen: West Central Ohio SERRC
• Deb Janning: West Central Ohio SERRC
• Virginia Motter: Hardin County Board of Education
• Kim Pruitt: West Central Ohio SERRC
• Karen Viceroy: West Central Ohio SERRC
• James Zerkle: West Central Ohio SERRC

MODULE ABSTRACT

Family Collaboration, which is the focus of this module, has established five themes: (1) understand/develop a working relationship between parents and professionals; (2) understand the strengths and needs of families and the importance of building these strengths; (3) enable families to provide a home environment that supports learning in young children; (4) respect the cultural diversity of families and providing collaborative planning so families can make the right choice of integrated programs and resources; and (5) link and empower families to access appropriate related services.

Family Collaboration is a family-centered approach which supports the premise that professionals are there to assist families in a way that increases the families' ability to utilize resources. The professional serves as a resource person who not only believes that families have the right to determine the course of their development, but also acknowledges family strengths and builds on them.

GOALS

The goals for this module are as follows:

1. Understand/develop working relationships between parents and professionals.
2. Understand family dynamics.
3. Be able to facilitate family establishment of a home environment that supports learning in young children.
4. Identify available programs and resources that support the needs of children and families.
5. Be aware of available related services that support the needs of children and families.

GOAL #1
Understand/develop working relationships between parents and professionals.

AUDIENCES

GOAL #2
Understand family dynamics.

AUDIENCES

GOAL #3
Be able to facilitate family establishment of a home environment that supports learning in young children.

AUDIENCES

GOAL #4
Identify available programs and resources that support the needs of children and families.

AUDIENCES

GOAL #5
Be aware of available related services that support the needs of children and families.

AUDIENCES

REFERENCES

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