1. 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 PTAC @ Partners Resource Network, TX Parent Strand Presentation # S1-114

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

3. Challenges Supervision Recruitment Supervision Training Supervision Development

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

5. 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

6. Success Stories

7. 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

8. Requirements Training Procedures Successes Lessons learned Future plans

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

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

11. Consecutive days Staff as presenters Meals Stipends TWO DAY TRAINING

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

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

14. “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

15. “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.”

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

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

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

19. Gay Ferguson: 409 898 4684 Jon Howell: 806 762 1434 QUESTIONS?

20. IN*SOURCE Volunteer Program Revisions

21. 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

22. 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

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

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

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

27. Development Development Plan Required Continuing Education Opportunities for Advancement

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

29. Volunteer Engagement Monthly Volunteer Newsletter Monthly Training Opportunities Quarterly Regional Meetings

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

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

32. Questions?