Defining family U.S. Census Bureau: A group of two or more people

related by birth, marriage, or adoption who reside together

Authors: Two or more people who regard themselves to be a family and who carry out the functions that families typically perform

Who are today’s families?

Similarities among families with and without disabilities

Differences among families without and without disabilities Income Education level Household composition

What are partnerships? Family-professional partnerships: Families and

professionals collaborate with each other, capitalizing on each other’s judgment and expertise to the benefit of the student

Partnerships are important because they: Foster trust Stimulate student achievement Enhance families’ quality of life

Importance of Partnerships

Early childhood

Elementary school

Middle/high school

How do children with exceptionalities affect their

families quality of life? Mother’s stress and depression when raising a child

with a disability

Findings are mixed

Mothers who have children with certain types of disabilities have greater stress

Domains of family quality of life

The authors of your text have identified five domains of family quality of life: Emotional well being Parenting Family interactions Physical/material well being Disability-related support

Emotional well-being Families experience better emotional well-being

when they have: Friends or others to provide support The support they need to relieve stress Time to pursue their own interests Outside help available to take care of the special

needs of all family members

Positive approaches to increase satisfaction of the emotional well

being domain Utilize Circle of Friends

Encourage parents to be involved with other parents

Be available to parents outside of regular school hours

Parenting Parenting is strong when families can help their

child: Learn to be independent With schoolwork and activities Get along with others With individual needs

Family interactions Families who have high levels of family interaction:

Enjoy spending time together Talk openly with each other Solve problems together Show they love and care for each other

Physical/Material Well-Being

This can include the ability of families to: Access transportation Pay expenses Feel safe at home, work, school, and in the

neighborhood Obtain medical and dental help when needed

Disability related support

Some aspects of disability-related support help the student to: Achieve goals at school or work Make progress at home Make friends Have a good relationship between family and service

providers

How can you form partnerships?

Partnerships capitalize on each other’s judgment and expertise in order to increase benefits for students, families and professionals

Seven principles of partnerships Communication Professional competence Respect Commitment Equality Advocacy Trust

Communication Five practices for effective communication

Be friendly Be clear Listen Be honest Provide and coordinate information

Three major networks of parent programs Parent training and information centers Community parent resource centers Parent to parent programs

Professional competence

Three practices associated with professional competence Provide a quality education Continue to learn Set high expectations

Respect Professionals who demonstrate respect:

Honor cultural diversity Affirm strengths Treat students and families with dignity

Commitment A committed professional will:

Be available and accessible Go “above and beyond” Be sensitive to emotional needs

Equality Professionals who seek equality in partnerships:

Share power Foster empowerment Provide options

Advocacy To be an effective advocate, professionals will:

Seek win-win solutions Use skilled dialog

Prevent problems Keep one’s conscience primed Pinpoint and document challenges Form alliances

Trust Four practices associated with being a trusted

partner: Be reliable Use sound judgment Maintain confidentiality Trust yourself