Creating Partnerships to Enhance Family Involvement OSEP National Early Childhood Conference Conference December 12, 2005 Presentation by Cassie Johnston Presentation by Cassie Johnston Parent Participation Coordinator Washington Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program and Washington PAVE

The plain truths about partnerships Critical to the long-term success of any initiative. Critical to the long-term success of any initiative. Challenging to manage and to master. Challenging to manage and to master. Built on two pillars - form and process. Built on two pillars - form and process. Easier to start than to sustain. Easier to start than to sustain. Go through stages Go through stages Community Matters Community Matters

The key to success is Relationships, Relationships, Relationships!

“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.” Henry Ford

Why do we need Relationships? Information Information Support Support Learn about resources,policies, issues and services Learn about resources,policies, issues and services Cooperation & Collaboration Cooperation & Collaboration Share vision and achievements Share vision and achievements We are not alone! We are not alone!

Changes and Challenges Changes and Challenges State and Federal Budgets State and Federal Budgets Political Atmosphere Political Atmosphere Service Reforms Service Reforms Growing Needs Growing Needs Personal Energy and Time Personal Energy and Time

How will partnerships be different? Funding Funding Time available for meetings Time available for meetings Attitudes and morale Attitudes and morale Different people at the table Different people at the table Competition for scarce resources Competition for scarce resources

What causes conflict? Differences in values or goals Differences in values or goals Role pressures Role pressures Misunderstandings or miscommunication Misunderstandings or miscommunication Differences of opinion or perception Differences of opinion or perception Inaccurate of incomplete information Inaccurate of incomplete information Limited resources Limited resources Issues of power, turf, or control Issues of power, turf, or control

Attributes of Successful Partnerships Mutual Respect Mutual Respect Trust Trust Shared leadership and problem solving Shared leadership and problem solving Common vision, mission, and goals Common vision, mission, and goals Conflicts are present,openly acknowledged and addressed Conflicts are present,openly acknowledged and addressed Focus on action Focus on action

“A successful collaborative process enables a group of people and organizations to combine their complementary knowledge, skills, and resources so they can accomplish more together than they can on their own. We call this unique combining power ‘partnership synergy’ ” Center for Advancement of Collaborative Strategies in Health

Characteristics Important for Relationships Respect Respect Non-judgmental attitude Non-judgmental attitude Dependability Dependability Common Goals Common Goals Listening Skills Listening Skills Integrity/Honesty Humor Understanding Kindness Commitment

Characteristics Important for Relationships Positive Energy Positive Energy Acceptance Acceptance Trust Trust Patience, Disagreeing Respectfully Patience, Disagreeing Respectfully Treating Others with Dignity Treating Others with Dignity

Approaching a New Partner: Do Your Homework! Learn as much as you can about: Current programs and activities Current programs and activities How decisions are made-are families involved? How decisions are made-are families involved? Budget priorities and funding challenges Budget priorities and funding challenges Mission, goals and initiatives Mission, goals and initiatives Scope – local, state, national Scope – local, state, national

Becoming a Better Partner Find a mentor or advisor Find a mentor or advisor Work with your strengths, recognize your weaknesses Work with your strengths, recognize your weaknesses Practice characteristics important for relationships Practice characteristics important for relationships Compromise – your position not your values! Compromise – your position not your values! Look for opportunities - maybe challenges in disguise! Look for opportunities - maybe challenges in disguise!

A. I. A. Acknowledge Acknowledge Inspire Inspire Affirm Affirm

How do I know it’s working? Goals are achieved Goals are achieved My involvement is requested My involvement is requested More people want to join More people want to join My partnership is a friendship My partnership is a friendship

Partnership Challenge “The charge to society is to blend the skepticism of a scientist, the passion of an advocate, the pragmatism of a policy maker, the creativity of a practitioner, and the devotion of a parent – and to use existing knowledge to ensure both a decent quality of life for all of our children and a productive future for the nation.” Executive Summary “From Neurons to Neighborhoods” 2000 Executive Summary “From Neurons to Neighborhoods” 2000