2010 OSEP Leadership Mega Conference Collaboration to Achieve Success from Cradle to Career Increasing Parent Support through the use of Volunteer Parent Mentors Rich Burden, IN*SOURCE, IN Dory Lawrence, IN*SOURCE, IN Janice Meyer, Region 3 Partners Resource Network, TX Parent Strand Presentation # S1-114

Why Use Volunteers? Build Capacity in Your State Empower Parents Do More with Less Staff Time

Challenges Supervision Recruitment Supervision Training Supervision Development

IN*SOURCE Volunteer Program In the Beginning… Started in 1980 RPRs – Regional Parent Resources Currently 453 volunteers in 83 of 92 Indiana counties

Current Program Application process 3 day classroom training Stipends for each day Extensive manual with resources Volunteers “report to” regional staff responsible for their county Staff host regional meetings - stipends available Volunteers report activity quarterly

Success Stories

2010 OSEP Leadership Mega Conference Collaboration to Achieve Success from Cradle to Career PARENT PARTNERS PROGRAM Partners Resource Network The Texas statewide network of PTIs

Requirements Training Procedures Successes Lessons learned Future plans

Recommendation by staff Previous involvement Interview “Homework” assignments 2 days of training Evaluation data REQUIREMENTS

Previous workshop, etc. Online courses 2-Day training: – Guidelines – Laws – Leadership – Communication – IEP Meeting agenda – References TRAINING

Consecutive days Staff as presenters Meals Stipends TWO DAY TRAINING

Assigning a parent Preparation IEP meeting Evaluation forms Reporting/payment forms PROCEDURES

Two years Interest level 40 IEP Meetings Use of stipends No complaints Parent satisfaction SUCCESSES

“Before knowing about you I felt lost and insecure, but after learning about your organization, I feel more confident.” “Having someone knowledgeable there to support me made it a rewarding experience.” “I am now receiving pertinent services for my child.” PARENT COMMENTS

“She helped by pointing out things to me that I was not thinking of at the moment.” “My Parent Partner was knowledgeable in laws and regulations that the school officials and myself were not aware of.”

Selection of candidates Criteria for assigning to a parent Support from local organization LESSONS LEARNED

Parent feelings about attending training on “the law” Cultural perspectives Data collection

Written Policies Written agreements Retreat Parents of birth to 3 -5 year olds FUTURE PLANS

Gay Ferguson: Jon Howell: QUESTIONS?

IN*SOURCE Volunteer Program Revisions

Need for Change… Volunteers not being used as effectively as possible Responsibilities vary by region Difficult to set and maintain volunteer standards under current program Challenging to provide supervision to large numbers of volunteers Costly to provide intensive classroom training to new volunteers

Process Meeting with directors to define desired outcomes. Advisory council of volunteers, staff and Executive Director Brainstorming session with staff to discuss their experiences with volunteers Strategic planning session to develop timeline. Groups of employees to complete objectives

Structure New Name – Parent Support Volunteer Levels Training Development Outcomes / Accountability

Recruitment New marketing materials that highlight both the benefits and the investment for volunteers Signed Agreement to participate in training

Training Blended Learning Model Combining On- line Training and Webinars One Day of Classroom Training Progressive Learning Requiring Mastery to Advance

Development Development Plan Required Continuing Education Opportunities for Advancement

Outcomes and Accountability Monthly reporting Development plan monitored by regional staff member Required continuing education Outcome surveys after case conferences

Volunteer Engagement Monthly Volunteer Newsletter Monthly Training Opportunities Quarterly Regional Meetings

Rewards and Recognition Annual Recognition Incentives for Attending Case Conferences Feature Volunteer of the Month in Newsletters

Desired Outcomes More Capable Volunteers Better Alignment with IN*SOURCE Mission Increased Compliance with Reporting Activity More Cohesion within Volunteer Network

Questions?