Supporting Families

Abstract

The Family-Centered Preschool Model is a family support model for center-based preschool programs. The model utilizes family consultants—parents of children with disabilities—to augment the support provided by classroom professionals. Family consultants coordinate and facilitate formal and informal family supports, maintain a close liaison with classroom program staff, and represent parents on district/ agency and community boards, councils, task forces, and advisory committees. Family supports include linking families to community resources, providing requested information through a variety of formats, assisting families in various aspects of the special education process (e.g., Individualized Education Program meetings), and helping families in the transition to school-age programs. The model includes a curriculum for the initial training of family consultants, staff training, and materials to support the functions of the family consultants. The model was implemented for 5 years in an urban school district, and evaluation data from family and staff interviews identified some of the benefits. The authors also provide recommendations for adoption of the model.