New Mexico Early Childhood Transition Initiative

Transcription

1 New Mexic Early Childhd Transitin Initiative Mentr Tl Kit

2 Mentr Guide Welcme t the Early Childhd Transitin Team. This tl kit was develped as a resurce t assist yu in yur rle as a mentr t a new family advisr. The tl kit is divided int the fllwing sectins: I. The New Mexic Early Childhd Transitin Initiative a) Why Have a Family Member n the Team? II. Wh s Wh n the Team? a) Team Rles and Respnsibilities III. Tips fr Recruiting a) What They Will D b) Investing In Others IV. Tips fr Mentring New Families V. Acrnyms VI. VII. Resurces References & Miscellaneus In rder t be an effective mentr yu will be respnsible in making the cnnectin t the new family advisr and ffering them the supprt needed t be successful in their new rle. This requires a cmmitment f time n yur part. Yur rle as a mentr will make a difference!

3 Why Have Family Members n the Early Childhd Transitin Team? In New Mexic families are jining early childhd transitin teams and realizing the impact and influence they can have in shaping plicies and prgrams. Prviders are recgnizing that family invlvement is integral t designing a service system that is respnsive and welcming. When parents lend their vices t the team, they are ensuring that ther families will have mre psitive experiences in the early child hd transitin prcess in the future. Because families see things thrugh fresh eyes, they may see prblems r incnsistencies t which prfessinals have becme accustmed. They als ften see slutins that may have eluded the rest f the team. The invlvement f families als helps t ensure that the design f prgrams and the implementatin f the prcess really meet family needs. When families are participants in planning and decisin making, the likelihd f develping effective respnsive services is greatly increased. In rder t be an effective team member, a cmmitment f time is imprtant. If pssible, it is recmmended yu remain n the team while yur child is in the preschl years. Develped by the Center fr Develpment and Disability Early CHILDHOOD Transitin Leadership Prject in cllabratin with Parents Reaching Out (PRO) and Educatin fr Parents f Indian Children with Special Needs (EPICS). Funded in part by a grant frm the New Mexic Develpmental Disabilities Planning Cuncil (DDPC)

4 Wh s Wh n the Team? Early Interventin Crdinatr (FIT Prvider) is usually the team leader Public schls representatives is usually the Special Educatin Directr r Early Childhd Crdinatr Head Start is usually the Disabilities Crdinatr frm area Head Starts Representatives frm the fllwing MAY attend: New Mexic Schl fr the Deaf/Step Hi New Mexic Schl fr the Blind & Visually Impaired Children s Medical Services (CMS) Medically Fragile Prgram Children Yuth and Families Department (CYFD) Parents Reaching Out Family Leader Cmmunity child care/preschl prviders TTAP-Inclusin Specialist Reginal Educatin Cperative Develped by the Center fr Develpment and Disability Early CHILDHOOD Transitin Leadership Prject in cllabratin with Parents Reaching Out (PRO) and Educatin fr Parents f Indian Children with Special Needs (EPICS). Funded in part by a grant frm the New Mexic Develpmental Disabilities Planning Cuncil (DDPC)

5 TEAM ROLES ROLE Team Cach -Technical Assistance -Team prcess supprt Team Leader - Schedule team meetings - Crdinate lgistics - Develp & send ut agenda - Crdinate cmmunicatin - Fster family invlvement Facilitatr -Facilitate meetings -Supprt family vice TEAM MEMBER(S) Nte Taker - Maintain written recrd f meetings - Disseminate t team members Time Keeper -Supprt team in starting and ending n time -Supprt facilitatr in tracking time in relatin t agenda Mentr(s) Family Mentr New Agency Mentr Supprt new members nt the team Other Adapted frm Special Quest 4/09/09

6 Tips fr Recruiting Families Believe family participatin is essential Ask ther families wh are already invlved if they have a friend wh might be interested in participating Remember: It may take time t establish trust and understanding Ask prviders t identify families When yu hear a parent make a great cmment at a meeting r in cnversatin TELL THEM. Plant the seed; mentin the pssibility f them jining the team. Cntact lcal r statewide parent-t-parent rganizatins, Parents Reaching Out (PRO), Educatin fr Parents f Indian Children with Special Needs (EPICS) Use key infrmants - peple in the cmmunity wh are knwledgeable abut children with disabilities and are a link t ther families and family grups Lcate parent grups fcusing n disabilities in yur cmmunity Pst ntices n bulletin bards at educatinal, recreatinal, and scial service prgrams serving children and families Qualities t lk fr in a Family Leader: Ideally a parent r a family member f a child with a disability between the ages f 3-8 wh have experienced the transitin prcess Strng interpersnal skills Experience interacting with ther parents f children with disabilities Wrking knwledge f cmmittees and rganizatins Familiarity f infrmal peer supprt Knwledge f family centered philsphy Ability t cmmunicate needs f represented cmmunity Skilled at prblem slving Organizatinal skills Ability t build relatinships Available t cme t meetings Family Leaders Will Becme Actively Invlved When They: Remember: If a parent is interested in becming a member f the team view this is as an pprtunity. It may nt matter whether this is a veteran parent r ne receiving services. This ffers a different perspective. It is abut their willingness t be an active member n the team. Knw it is part f smething successful See that they can make a difference in children s lives Feel supprted, respected and acknwledged fr their time and effrts Receive hands n training guidance wh will be their mentr? Remember: This is an pprtunity t help a yung family develp leadership in their cmmunity Yu are perhaps the first mentr alng this path! Develped by the Center fr Develpment and Disability Early CHILDHOOD Transitin Leadership Prject in cllabratin with Parents Reaching Out (PRO) and Educatin fr Parents f Indian Children with Special Needs (EPICS). Funded in part by a grant the New Mexic Develpmental Disabilities Planning Cuncil (DDPC)

7 WHAT THEY WILL DO: Represent families needs in yur cmmunity Share the family s perspective Educate transitin teams abut family culture and beliefs Identify transitin prcess issues Identify prblems in the transitin prcess Recmmend slutins t reslving prblems Identify ther family leaders with children wh have disabilities as ptential team advisrs SKILLS/ABILITIES/PREFERENCES: Be a family member f a child with a disability between the ages f 3-8 Have gd peple skills t functin as a member f interdisciplinary prfessinal teams and t effectively cllabrate with families and cmmunity members Have the ability t cmmunicate needs f represented cmmunity Be skilled at cnflict-reslutin and prblem slving Be cmmitted t family-centered philsphy Have the ability t build relatinships Develped by the Center fr Develpment and Disability Early CHILDHOOD Transitin Leadership Prject in cllabratin with Parents Reaching Out (PRO) and Educatin fr Parents f Indian Children with Special Needs (EPICS). Funded in part by a grant frm the New Mexic Develpmental Disabilities Planning Cuncil (DDPC)

8 Investing in Others Are yu ready t make the cmmitment? Are yu willing t invest time and effrt in helping anther persn? Mentring requires ging abve and beynd. It is a relatinship in which a persn with greater experience, expertise, and wisdm cunsels, teaches, guides and helps anther persn t develp bth persnally and prfessinally t meet exceptinal standards f perfrmance. Mentring can mean substantial persnal change - perhaps a willingness t listen mre and talk less, fr example. If yu are ready, the persnal satisfactin may be well wrth the time and effrt expended. What Yu Can D t Help Family Advisrs Help build self-cnfidence Encurage prfessinal behavir Offer challenging ideas Cnfrnt negative behavirs and attitudes Teach by example Prvide grwth experiences Explain hw things wrk Stand by their mentees in critical situatins Share critical knwledge Offer encuragement Offer wise cunsel Mentrs believe in the value f their wrk withut wrrying abut returned favrs. If yu have, r can develp, a freely giving nature, yu prbably will mentr all thugh yur life - prbably withut thinking much abut it. This material was created by Grdn F. Shea, Hw t Develp Successful Mentr Behavirs, 3 rd editin 2002 Axz Press LLC. Permissin t use this material was granted by Axz Press which reserves all rights t this material.

9 Tips fr Mentring a New Family Mentring a new team member t the team table is rewarding! THINGS TO DO: Share team culture and nrms: Examples: What peple wear Meetings start n time Minutes and agenda practices, Cmmunicatin is it thrugh ? Share the histry f the team (Hw lng has the team been meeting?) Share the team prcess Make intrductins: encurage sharing Meet with the new member fr a few minutes befre and after the meeting until cmfrtable with the team! Make a cmmitment t supprt fr as lng as is needed Share expertise, knwledge and resurces Encurage full invlvement! Develped by the Center fr Develpment and Disability Early CHILDHOOD Transitin Leadership Prject in cllabratin with Parents Reaching Out (PRO) and Educatin fr Parents f Indian Children with Special Needs (EPICS). Funded in part by a grant the New Mexic Develpmental Disabilities Planning Cuncil (DDPC)

10 List f Acrnyms ADA Americans with Disabilities Act IFSP Infant & Family Service Plan BIA CMS Bureau f Indian Affairs Children s Medical Services CYFD Children Yuth & Families DD DOH Develpmental Disability r Develpmental Delay Department f Health LEA LRE MDT OSEP OT Lcal Educatin Agency (schl district) Least Restrictive Envirnment Multi-Disciplinary Team Office f Special Educatin Prgrams Occupatinal Therapist EI Early Interventin PED Public Educatin Department FAPE Free Apprpriate Public Educatin Part B Public schls special educatin FERPA Family Educatin Rights & Privacy Act Part C Early Interventin prgrams, als knwn as FIT HS Head Start PT Physical Therapist IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Educatin Act***Federal regulatins that guide special educatin prcess PWN SLP Prir Written Ntice Speech Language Pathlgist IEP Individual Educatin Plan (special educatin)

11 EPICS - Educatin fr Parents f Indian Children with Special Needs The EPICS Prject is a cmmunity parent resurce center fr American Indian families wh live in New Mexic and wh have children with special needs. EPICS' missin is t assist American Indian parents by prviding infrmatin and training that helps them fully participate in their children's educatinal and schl prgrams. Our "n-cst t parents" services are aimed at Indian parents whse children are ages birth t 26 and: have disabilities r special needs; live in New Mexic; attend public schls, BIA schls, r are enrlled in the state's birth-three Family-Infant-Tddler prgram. EPICS prvides pprtunities fr: meeting, sharing and netwrking with ther American Indian parents whse children have disabilities; learning hw disability laws, i.e. IDEA, ADA Sectin 504, can help their children; develping cmmunicatin and advcacy skills that help their children get the services they need. Gals f the EPICS Prject: T prvide training and infrmatin directly t American Indian parents. T supprt educatinal and health care prfessinals t invlve American Indian parents. Cntact: EPICS Prject JeanetteT@EpicsPrject.rg

12 Resurces ARC f New Mexic 3655 Carlisle NE Albuquerque, NM r Web Address: Center fr Develpment and Disability 2300 Menaul Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM Vice: r Web Address: Cerebral Palsy Parent Assciatin 1127 University Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM r Cuncil fr Exceptinal Children 1110 Nrth Glebe Rad #300 Arlingtn VA Vice: Web Address: EPICS Educatin fr Parents f Indian Children with Special Needs JeanetteT@EpicsPrject.rg Family Village Family Vices, Inc Alam SE, Suite 102 Albuquerque, NM Vice: r Fax: Web Address: 35 Infrmatin Center fr New Mexicans with Disabilities Disability Related Infrmatin and Referral 2300 Menaul NE, Albuquerque, NM infnet@unm.edu Web address:

13 Natinal Disseminatin Center fr Children with Disabilities (NICHY) 1825 Cnnecticut Ave NW Suite 700 Washingtn DC Vice: TTY: Web address: New Mexic Autism Sciety P.O. Bx Albuquerque, NM Web address: Department f Health - Family Infant Tddler Prgram (FIT) 1190 St. Francis Drive P.O. Bx Santa Fe, NM Web Address: Natinal Calitin fr Parent Invlvement in Educatin NM Develpmental Disabilities Planning Cuncil 435 St. Michael s Dr. Bldg. D Santa Fe, NM r New Mexic Schl fr the Deaf Albuquerque Preschl/Kindergarten 3802 Hermsa Dr. NE Albuquerque, NM Phne: (TTY/Vice) NM Schl fr the Visually Handicapped Early Childhd Prgrams 230 Truman NE Albuquerque, NM NM State Department f Educatin 300 Dn Gaspar Santa Fe, NM Web address:

14 PACER Center, Inc Nrmandale Bulevard Minneaplis MN Vice: TTY: Web Address: Parents fr Behavirally Different Children 1101 Cardenas Rad NE, # 202 Albuquerque, NM Vice: r Parent Line: PBDC (7232) Web Address: Parents Reaching Out 1920B Clumbia Drive SE Albuquerque, NM r Web address: Prtectin and Advcacy System 1720 Luisiana Blvd. NE Suite 204 Albuquerque, NM r tll free in NM Web address:

15 This packet was develped by the Center fr Develpment and Disability Early Childhd Transitin Leadership Prject in cllabratin with Parents Reaching Out (PRO) and Educatin fr Parents f Indian Children with Special Needs (EPICS). Funded in part by a grant frm the New Mexic Develpmental Disabilities Planning Cuncil (DDPC) Sme f the infrmatin in this packet has been cllected and adapted frm the fllwing surces: References: Grdn F. Shea, Hw t Develp Successful Mentr Behavirs, 3 rd editin 2002 Axz Press LLC. Permissin t use this material was granted by Axz Press which reserves all rights t this material. Elizabeth S. Jeppsn, Jsie Thmas, Institute f Family-Centered Care Essential Allies with supprt frm Maternal & Child Health Bureau U.S. Dept. f Health & Human Services Thmas, J. & Jeppsn, E.S. (1997), Wrds f Advice: A guidebk fr families serving as advisrs. Bethesda, MD: Institute fr Family-Centered Care (p. 38,45) Mimi Hunt, Pam Crnelius, Patti Leventhal, Peggy Miller, Tina Murray, Gergie Stner, 1996, Int Our Lives, Acrn, OH. Children s Hspital Medical Center, The Family Infrmatin Netwrk, Issue 4, (p. 9,10) Center fr Develpment & Disabilities ABOUT THE NEW MEXICO EARLY CHILDHOOD TRANSITION INITIATIVE