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Early Steps Policy Handbook
7/1/2010

Federal imposed policy required by the IDEA Denotes a federal imposed policy required by the IDEA
State imposed policy not required by the IDEA Denotes a state imposed policy not required by the IDEA or federal regulation

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Component 9.0

Family Involvement

Authority:

 

Intent:

These policies are intended to ensure family involvement occurs at the local and state level within the Early Steps system.

Sections:

9.1.0

State Parent Consultant(s)

Page 1

 

9.2.0

Family Resource Specialists

Page 2

 

9.3.0

Family Resource Specialist Plan of Action

Page 3

 

9.4.0

Family Involvement Plans

Page 3

 

9.5.0

Advisory Groups

Page 4

 

9.6.0

Family Contacts

Page 4

 

9.1.0 State Parent Consultant(s)

Policy

Reference/Related Documents

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.1.1  The Early Steps State Office must employ State Parent Consultant(s) to ensure family input and involvement at the state level including policy development and review, assistance in quality assurance activities, training, participation in workgroups, collaboration with other statewide family groups, and technical assistance and training to Family Resource Specialists throughout Florida. 

Operations Guide 9.1.1

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.1.2  The State Parent Consultant(s) must be a family member of a child who currently or previously received early intervention services or would have been eligible for early intervention services. 

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.1.3  The State Parent Consultant(s) must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.1.4  The State Parent Consultant(s) must have broad knowledge of Florida’s Early Steps system.

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.1.5  The State Parent Consultant(s) must have knowledge of and be involved in statewide family organizations and initiatives.

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.1.6  The State Parent Consultant(s) must have communication skills that will enable the development and delivery of trainings and public presentations.

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.1.7  The State Parent Consultant(s) must have a willingness to work with diverse populations.

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.1.8  The State Parent Consultant(s) must have the ability to travel.

 

 

9.2.0 Family Resource Specialists

Policy

Reference/Related Documents

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.2.1  Local Early Steps must employ a minimum of 1.0 FTE Family Resource Specialist to ensure family involvement within the LES.  

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.2.2  Family Resource Specialists must implement the required roles for Family Resource Specialists defined by the ESSO including information and support, training, dissemination of information, policy development, link with lead agency, collaboration/ partnerships, community resource development, service delivery evaluation, family representation, and workgroups/meetings.  

Operations Guide 9.2.2

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.2.3  Family Resource Specialists must be a family member of a child who received early intervention services or would have been eligible for Early Steps services.

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.2.4  Family Resource Specialists must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.2.5 Family Resource Specialists must have knowledge of Florida’s Early Steps system.

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.2.6  Family Resource Specialists must have an understanding of local resources and organizations.

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.2.7  Family Resource Specialists must have the organization and communication skills required to implement a local system of family involvement.

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.2.8  Family Resource Specialists must have the ability to provide effective training.

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.2.9  Family Resource Specialists must have a willingness to work with diverse populations. 

 

 

9.3.0 Family Resource Specialist Plan of Action

Policy

Reference/Related Documents

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.3.1  All of the Roles and Responsibilities for Family Resource Specialists must be addressed on the Family Resource Specialist Plan of Action (FRS POA) for implementation in Local Early Steps.

Operations Guide 9.3.1

FRS Plan of Action

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.3.2   The FRS POA is submitted by the LES to the State Parent Consultant, as specified in the contract. 

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.3.3  Family Resource Specialists must submit a Family Resource Specialist 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, as specified in the contract. 

 

 

9.4.0 Family Involvement Plans

Policy

Reference/Related Documents

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.4.1   Local Family Involvement Plans (FIP) are developed to provide opportunities for families to apply for funds that will allow them to participate in activities that enhance family involvement and education in the Early Steps system.

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.4.2  The Family Involvement Plan must be submitted to the ESSO, as specified in the contract.  

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.4.3  The Family Involvement Plan must include a budget for the Family Involvement funds, as specified in the contract.

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.4.4  The FIP must include a locally developed form for requesting funds that will include a statement describing other resources that have been explored to fund the request.  

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.4.5  The FIP must be accompanied by a signature sheet of families and other participants who developed the plan. 

 

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.4.6  Family Involvement Plan expenditures must be reported, as specified in the contract.

 

 

9.5.0 Advisory Groups

Policy

Reference/Related Documents

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.5.1  The ESSO will support family representation on advisory groups and workgroups to ensure the experiences and opinions of families are represented as key stakeholders in the Early Steps system.

 

 

9.6.0 Family Contacts

Policy

Reference/Related Documents

State imposed policy not required by the IDEA

9.6.1  Contacts received via phone, letter, or email from families by the ESSO that require family to family support, information or conflict resolution will be forwarded to the assigned State Parent Consultant.

 

 


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