Families Facing Extraordinary Challenges in Urban Communities: Systems-Level Application of Positive Behavior Support

Abstract

As the parents of two children with disabilities living in the urban core, Ursula and D. J. Markey of New Orleans understand the challenges that families face in urban communities. Fueled by their own experiences with their sons and the encouragement of friends and neighbors, they started a support and advocacy group called Pyramid Parent Training Community Parent Resource Center. Their goals were to share with other families living in urban communities what research and experience taught them about supporting children with challenges. As the Markeys learned more about positive behavior support (PBS), they began a project to teach and support parents in the principles and practical applications of PBS strategies. The aim of the program is to bring best research-based practices in PBS to families in traditionally underserved, poverty-stricken communities in crisis. Here, they share their perspectives on the definition of a community in crisis and the role of PBS for families facing challenges in these communities: In the United States, urban communities are in distress. First and foremost a community in crisis is an underserved community. Getting to this point of crisis does not happen in a vacuum. How do you determine when a community is in crisis? A community is in crisis when conditions such as extreme poverty and educational disparity become the norm rather than the exception. PBS offers communities in crisis a frame of reference where families can create venues for their children to excel. There is clear evidence that PBS helps parents work more positively and successfully with schools to improve services for their children. Pre-civil rights, underserved parents in poverty created opportunities for their children to shine; they gave us the strength of knowing there were many things that could be done. These parents showed support, and most importantly they created expectations for those of us who now continue efforts towards positive change. PBS has revolutionary potential as it considers historical successes such as these for families and communities, it creates expectations again. If we can show families something that works well, they will demand it when it is not present in their schools and communities. In a community, PBS raises the bar for everyone. There is a commonality that professionals, community members, families and schools work towards—common positive expectations and language. PBS is a different way of being in the world; it offers and reinforces support rather than control. In an urban community, especially one in crisis, teaching parents and families the skills to become leaders in addition to PBS strategies is critical so that they can help the communities' efforts to move forward more successfully. Teach families and those that support them and they can be the voice. Families will support those who support them. This reciprocal support will hopefully grow and result in lasting systems change. Leadership is about empowering others to lead. This is what PBS is about for families and communities in crisis. (D. J. & U. Markey, personal communication, September 2007)