Assistant Superintendent Special Education CUSD 200- Wheaton IL BUILDING EFFECTIVE AND POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARENTS AND PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS Linda C. Knicker Assistant Superintendent Special Education CUSD 200- Wheaton IL And Deb Durrbeck Parent Mentor

OUTLINE OF SESSION INTRODUCTION BRIEF HISTORY PARENT MENTOR AND PARENT MENTOR PROJECT CHALLENGES – DISTRICT-PARENTS WHY COLLABORATE STRATEGIES AND TOOLS IS IT WORKING – HOW DO YOU KNOW PERSONAL REFLECTIONS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

INTRODUCTIONS Deb Durrbeck – parent and mentor “DISTRICT 200 PARENT MENTOR” Wheaton-Warrenville Public Schools Linda Knicker – Assistant Superintendent Special Education –District 200

SEA200 and THE PARENT MENTOR PROJECT Special Education Alliance 200 (SEA200) Summer of 2002; A different kind of parent group! First meeting of SEA200 and new CUSD200 leadership

Parent Mentor Project Initiated by the ISBE in 2004 Modeled after the Ohio Parent Mentor Project Taking a traditionally adversarial relationship and creating a collaborative partnership with one mutual goal= focusing on the needs of the student. CUSD200 and SEA200

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS Every Parent has a story to tell; let them tell their story. There are many stress factors raising a child/children with special needs—these take a toll on family relationships. Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know”. Parents are proactive, protective and preventative in nature. Meet parents where they are in their special education journey and bring them along.

PERSONAL REFLECTION CONT. Parents pick up on turmoil within the team. Many parents try to make decisions in the present for the future. (i.e. preschool IEP meeting….thinking about middle school…) Many parents feel that self-contained classrooms are a life sentence. Sharing information about the vision, challenges and successes within your district is priceless!!!

CHALLENGES Demand for services threaten available resources What is mandated is often inadequately funded – sets up a conflict situation Traditional “tug of war” experiences cause parties not to listen, check for understanding and problem solve together Expectations for student performance are not met with data and collaborative goal setting

CHALLENGES CONT. “Old rules” cause parents and teams to be limited in their “thinking out of the box” re. services and placement Differentiation in regular education classrooms can be mandated but understanding and flexibility about differentiation take collaborative partnership with specialists and parents

COLLABORATE OR DUE PROCESS WHY COLLABORATE? IT’S THE LAW COLLABORATE OR DUE PROCESS IT’S YOUR CHOICE

“When schools and families work together, a partnership of support for children develops. Education becomes a shared venture, characterized by mutual respect and trust in which the importance and influence of each partner is recognized. Although children, families, teachers, and schools benefit individually, their partnerships enhance the entire process of education.” -Rebecca Crawford Burns, author of: “Parents and Schools: From Visitors to Partners”

TOOLS AND STRATEGIES ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FORMAL OR INFORMAL LEADERS OF PARENT GROUPS LISTEN CAREFULLY TO THEIR CONCERNS BECOME TRANSPARENT BUILD A SHARED VISION ESTABLISH GOALS FOR THE YEAR MEET REGULARY-CHECKING THE CLIMATE DON’T SAY “NO” STAY PROFESSIONAL – THIS IS NOT PERSONAL

WHAT DOES IT MEAN WORKING TOWARD A COMMON GOAL ARRIVING AT A WIN-WIN OUTCOME EACH PERSON HAS THEIR NEEDS MET CREATES A DESIRE TO IMPROVE AND NOT POINT BLAME MORE IS ACCOMPLISHED TOGETHER STUDENTS WIN

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? Administration and Parent Groups meet regularly to share information and resources Parent Mentors (formal or informal) are available to meet with parents to navigate the system and problem solve Parent Groups sponsor speakers to address critical parent issues

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? Administration and Parent Groups seek Grants and Funding sources to enhance District programs Trust is developed by open, honest and respectful dialogue and interactions Student achievement guides all we do together

PERSONAL REFLECTIONS Commitment to collaboration Listen before speak Seek to understand before expecting to be understood Show up Eat breakfast Be open to new things

Resources Other Resources: For more information about having a parent liaison in your district: Parent and Educator Partnership website: www.pepartnership.org Other Resources: Special Education Alliance 200 (SEA200) website: www.sea200.org “Parents and Schools: From Visitors to Partners” by: Rebecca Crawford Burns