Related Policy  Component

Guidance/Procedures

Reference/Related Documents

9.1.0 State Parent Consultant(s)

9.1.1

The roles and responsibilities for the State Parent Consultant(s) may be filled by full or part time individuals, at the discretion of the Early Steps State Office.

A.      Lead State Parent Consultant:

1. Assist in the review, modification and development of statewide policies and procedures, with a family-perspective approach, to ensure positive outcomes for families. 
2. Consult with the ESSO to provide family input and perspective including but not limited to training, quality assurance, complaints, and service delivery.
3. Assist Technical Assistance Liaisons in addressing family satisfaction issues. 
4. Participate in trainings and meetings related to family involvement or Early Steps initiatives as outlined by the Early Steps State Office.
5. Identify and develop trainings from a family-perspective to assist the Early Steps system.
6. Coordinate complaint process and participate on investigation teams, as appropriate. 
7. Revise A New Star training curriculum, as needed.
8. Solicit and express views of families throughout the Early Steps system to the ESSO.
9. Troubleshoot concerns/issues collaboratively with families, Local Early Steps, and the ESSO.
10. Serve as a liaison to the Family Leadership Committee of the Florida Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers.
11. Work in collaboration with statewide family organizations to support and enhance family initiatives throughout Florida.
12. Provide quarterly articles on, “What’s New from the Early Steps State Office” to statewide family organizations and Family Resource Specialists for inclusion in local Family Resource Specialists newsletters or partnering newsletters. 
13. Participate in trainings and meetings related to family involvement and Early Steps initiatives, as appropriate.
14. Review and recommend approval of Family Involvement Plans.

B.     State Parent Consultant:

1. Provide ongoing training and technical assistance to Family Resource Specialists throughout Florida.
2. Facilitate monthly Family Resource Specialists conference calls. 
3. Review and recommend approval of annual Family Resource Specialists Action Plans in conjunction with Family Resource Specialists Roles and Responsibilities. 
4. Review Family Resource Specialists Plan of Action updates and provide technical assistance, as appropriate.
5. Provide synopsis of Family Resource Specialists statewide training and technical assistance issues quarterly, at a minimum, to the ESSO.
6. Create and maintain statewide orientation manual for Family Resource Specialists.
7. Provide orientation to newly hired Family Resource Specialists.
8. Provide train-the-trainer for A New Star to newly hired Family Resource Specialists.  
9. Participate on the interview team for Family Resource Specialists.
10. Participate in the performance evaluation process for Family Resource Specialists.
11. Participate on the dismissal discussion/decisions for Family Resource Specialists. 
12. Coordinate and host Family Resource Specialists Statewide Meetings.
13. Participate in trainings and meetings related to family involvement or Early Steps initiatives as outlined by the ESSO.
14. Troubleshoot concerns/issues collaboratively with families, LES, and the ESSO.
15. Solicit and express views of families throughout the Early Steps system to the Early Steps State Office.

9.2.0 Family Resource Specialists

9.2.2

A.      Information and Support

1. Design and implement a local system of family involvement to ensure families receiving services in Early Steps have access to family-to-family support, including autism support groups and other disability-specific supports, if available information, and training to further their participation in Early Steps. 

B.     Training

1. Ensure at least one module of A New Star training is available to families each quarter, based on the needs of families throughout the community. 
2. Provide training to Early Steps administrators, service coordinators, and providers regarding best practices for working with families within the Early Steps system at least once each contract year, at a minimum, based on the needs of the community.

C.     Dissemination of Information

1. Create and distribute a newsletter every quarter for families in the Early Steps system or partner with other local organizations to include information in their newsletters including topics such as LES initiatives, upcoming trainings, networking opportunities, information on the Family Resource Specialists, relevant topics, etc. 
2. Assist LES and the ESSO in disseminating materials on Early Steps initiatives.

D.     Policy Development/Revisions

1. Participate in the development and revision of policies and procedures within LES.

E.     Link With Early Steps State Office

1. Participate in Family Resource Specialists Statewide Meetings, as required. 
2. Participate on statewide Family Resource Specialists conference calls, teleconferences, trainings, and other statewide activities established for Family Resource Specialists by the State Parent Consultant(s) in the Early Steps State Office. 
3. Develop an annual Family Resource Specialists Plan of Action in coordination with LES, the State Parent Consultant, and others as appropriate. 
4. Submit a Family Resource Specialists Plan of Action update to the Local Early Steps and State Parent Consultant as a status report of the goals identified in their FRS POA.

F.      Collaboration/Partnerships

1. Work closely with local and state family organizations, and the community at large, to keep abreast of current topics and initiatives, and share current activities of Family Resource Specialists and Early Steps initiatives, thus encouraging collaboration and opportunities for partnerships throughout the community.

G.     Community Resource Development

1. Actively research specific information on local supports, enabling the availability of current and accurate information to families, LES and providers.
2. Provide information on specific community resources (Disaster Response, Family Education, and Mutual/Family Support Groups) to the Director of the Central Directory quarterly on October 1, January 1, April 1, and July 1 of each year.

H.     Service Delivery Evaluation

1. Survey the interests and needs of families related to training topics, networking opportunities, as well as the most effective times and locations for these opportunities within local service delivery areas.
2. Facilitate networking opportunities for families at least once per quarter.
3. Assist in the distribution and coordination of the Family Surveys. 

I.         Family Representation

1. Meet with LES to discuss feedback received from families, provide recommendations and to plan activities to address the feedback and recommendations of families, on an ongoing basis. 
2. Represent and communicate the voice of families in Early Steps.
3. Represent the interests of families at community events/forums.

J.       Workgroups/Meetings 

1. Represent the interests of families by participating on workgroups and meetings related to direct supports for families in Early Steps.
2. Represent the interests of families at community events/forums.

9.3.0 Family Resource Specialist Plan of Action 

9.3.1

The Family Resource Specialist’s Plan of Action (FRS POA) should be developed in collaboration with LES, communities, and the State Parent Consultant(s).