The Power of Parents: National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness Family Leadership Training Program It all begins today!

How We’ll Spend our Time Together Review what research has to say about parent leadership Cover the basic training design we’ll use Learn about deaf-blindness beyond your family Begin your plans for leadership

In Case You Need Learning Objectives By the end of the weekend, you will: Be aware of the research findings that support parent leadership and our training model Be more aware of your own experiences and skills and how you can match these to your role as a family leader. Understand how your own communication style can impact how you interact with others. Learn new ways to take care of yourself and balance the different components of your life. Understand the NCDB Family Leadership Training Program and what we will be doing together for the next several months.

What Is Parent Leadership Meaningful Parent Leadership occurs when parents gain the knowledge and skills to function in meaningful leadership roles and represent a “parent voice” to help shape the direction of their families, programs and communities. Parent Leadership is successfully achieved when parents and professionals build effective partnerships and share responsibility, expertise and leadership in decisions being made that affect families and communities. The parents involved in these collaborations are called Parent Leaders. Throughout the country, parents and professionals are working together in new ways. They are participating jointly in local, regional and national planning processes, collaborating as grant reviewers and program evaluators, and serving on advisory boards and coalitions. Working together, the voices of parents and professionals are shaping policy and practice to make a difference in the lives of children and families. Quoted from National Parent Leadership Tool Kit (packet)

Who is a Parent Leader A Parent Leader… May be a parent, grandparent, kinship care provider, foster parent, or anyone else in a parenting role Has personal experience in using resources/services to strengthen his or her family Is speaking and acting from his or her perspective as a parent Is not speaking and acting solely in a staff role for an organization or institution. Quoted from National Parent Leadership Tool Kit (packet)

Effective Supports Parent Leaders can be most effective when the following supports provide a strong foundation for their work: A defined meaningful role as a Parent Leader Access to training Clear opportunities to contribute to program development, implementation, oversight and evaluation, policymaking, training and technical assistance, public awareness and outreach Tangible supports such as assistance with child care and transportation and compensation for wages lost from work while contributing in a Parent Leader role Opportunities to work in partnership with staff and professionals in organizations that address key issues related to the Parent Leader’s area of interest and commitment. Quoted from National Parent Leadership Tool Kit (packet)

Ways to Demonstrate Parent Leadership Role Model for Other Parents Co-Trainer Contributor to Written and Audiovisual Materials Participant at Conferences and Working Meetings Grant Reviewer Participant in Quality Improvement and Evaluation Activities Participant in Needs/Strengths Assessment Processes Advocate for Individuals, Families and/or Programs Quoted from National Parent Leadership Tool Kit (packet) Participant in Focus Groups Advisory Board Member Member of Hiring Committees Member of Boards of Directors Peer Review Team Member Task Force Member Member of Planning Commission Witness at Public Hearings Public Speaker Media Interviewee Fund Raiser Spokesperson

Parent Leadership Justification Research on Parent Leadership shows that all parents have the potential to become strong Parent Leaders. Meaningful Parent Leadership occurs when parents gain the knowledge and skills to function in leadership roles and represent a “parent voice” to help shape the direction of their families, programs and communities. Often children of Parent Leaders begin to take on leadership roles appropriate for their age group, based on their parents modeling and ability to provide increased guidance about these new behaviors. Health, education, social service and other systems that affect children and families will achieve more positive results, utilize resources more effectively and expand their ability to create change when they partner with Parent Leaders to plan, implement oversee and evaluate their services. Quoted from National Parent Leadership Tool Kit (packet)

Federal & State Recognition of the Power of Family Leaders IDEA – strengthening of language involving parent partnership with each revision Federal Grants – emphasis on Parent Leadership initiatives Governing Boards – most require parent representation North Carolina?

A Model for Family Leadership NCDB Family Leadership Training Program

NCDB Family Leadership Goal As graduates of the NCDB Family Leadership Training Program, family members will be able to use knowledge and skills they develop in the training to impact services and supports for children with deafblindness. This can be within their own community, at the regional or statewide level or even at the national level.

Outcomes By participating in this yearlong training, Family Leaders will: Broaden your understanding of deaf-blind issues beyond what you already know about your own child. (F.01) Understand the various leadership opportunities within the deaf- blind community and other systems and how your passions and talents can be used to impact those systems. (F.02) Increase your knowledge of resources and practices related to deaf- blindness and family support and how these can be used to improve the lives of other families. (F.02, F.08) Increase your technical assistance, training and communication skills to better interact with families and professionals in your state. (Sys.02) Learn how to team with other leaders to accomplish mutual goals. (F.02) Help the NC Deaf-Blind Project meet the diverse needs of families across North Carolina.

Your Commitment Commit to participating in all face-to-face trainings Commit to participating in distance activities Commit to identifying and carrying out your own personal leadership activity Commit to supporting a “buddy” so you each accomplish your personal leadership goals

The Support You’ll Receive Peer Support Buddy System Class Camaraderie National Family Leadership Community Facilitator Support ~ Mike, Paddi, Chris Individual Progress Reviews Ongoing Coaching Ongoing TA and Connection

Questions & Discussion Time

Review of Learning Objectives Be aware of the research findings that support parent leadership and NCDB’s training model. Be more aware of your own passions and talents and how you can match these to your role as a family leader in North Carolina. Understand how your own communication style can impact how you interact with others. Learn new ways to take care of yourself and balance the different components of your life. Understand the NCDB Family Leadership Training Program and what we will be doing together for the next several months.

Review of Learning Objectives Be aware of the research findings that support parent leadership and NCDB’s training model. Be more aware of your own passions and talents and how you can match these to your role as a family leader in North Carolina. Understand how your own communication style can impact how you interact with others. Learn new ways to take care of yourself and balance the different components of your life. Understand the NCDB Family Leadership Training Program and what we will be doing together for the next several months.

Review of Learning Objectives Be aware of the research findings that support parent leadership and NCDB’s training model. Be more aware of your own passions and talents and how you can match these to your role as a family leader in North Carolina. Understand how your own communication style can impact how you interact with others. Learn new ways to take care of yourself and balance the different components of your life. Understand the NCDB Family Leadership Training Program and what we will be doing together for the next several months.

Review of Learning Objectives Be aware of the research findings that support parent leadership and NCDB’s training model. Be more aware of your own passions and talents and how you can match these to your role as a family leader in North Carolina. Understand how your own communication style can impact how you interact with others. Learn new ways to take care of yourself and balance the different components of your life. Understand the NCDB Family Leadership Training Program and what we will be doing together for the next several months.

Review of Learning Objectives Be aware of the research findings that support parent leadership and NCDB’s training model. Be more aware of your own passions and talents and how you can match these to your role as a family leader in North Carolina. Understand how your own communication style can impact how you interact with others. Learn new ways to take care of yourself and balance the different components of your life. Understand the NCDB Family Leadership Training Program and what we will be doing together for the next several months.

Review of Learning Objectives Be aware of the research findings that support parent leadership and NCDB’s training model. Be more aware of your own passions and talents and how you can match these to your role as a family leader in North Carolina. Understand how your own communication style can impact how you interact with others. Learn new ways to take care of yourself and balance the different components of your life. Understand the NCDB Family Leadership Training Program and what we will be doing together for the next several months.

That’s all folks! Safe travels! Happy Holidays! See you next time! Thank you!