FREE EVENT - LIMITED CAPACITY - ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED & AVAILABLE HEREHistorically, families of children with disabilities were perceived as passive recipients of information and resources to support a child with a disability. Legislation and advocacy have changed the predominant view of the role of families with infants and toddlers with disabilities. It's now understood that family is the primary developmental context for younger children; family support is critical to impacting child outcomes; family goals and outcomes are successful benefits to the child; and the voices and perspectives of families are a necessary component to a successful Early Intervention system. However, although steps in these directions have been taken, outcome measures still show barriers to meaningful family engagement and leadership. To truly achieve best outcomes at all levels of early intervention and early childhood special education, we must go further.
This interactive session will include remarks from a national parent leader (TBD), a panel of parents to explore meaningful family engagement and leadership throughout EC and ECSE, a Q&A with members of the DEC Family Committee, and small group work that will generate a document attendees and the DEC Family Committee can use to inform priorities and action plans to increase meaningful family involvement.
