Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services
Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE BULLETIN NUMBER 30
(Revised)
Family Support Network for Families in Early Intervention
Introduction
The Family Support Network (FSN) is a service of the Maryland State Department of Education/Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program (MITP). The FSN is based on a strong philosophical foundation that views parents as full partners in the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) process and as significant sources of support to one another. The Family Support Network supports parents in their efforts to actively participate in the early intervention system and to engage in activities that promote family life in the community.
Purpose of the Family Support Network
Many families of young children with disabilities benefit from family-to-family support and a network of resources to help them access information pertinent to their child's disability and family circumstance. Parents want to know the best ways to help their child and family, how to be effective advocates, and how to collaborate with professionals.
The Family Support Network was created to provide a statewide mechanism of support to families of children who receive early intervention services through local Infants and Toddlers Programs. Among its many activities and services, the FSN
• assists parent representatives serving on State and Local Interagency Coordinating Councils;
• initiates the development and coordinates the efforts of Local Family Support Networks in local jurisdictions;
• develops and provides initial training and ongoing technical assistance to Local Family Support Network Coordinators;
• refers families to local Infants and Toddlers Programs, Local Family Support Networks, advocacy and support groups, and other community resources;
• links experienced parents with parents of newly identified children with similar special needs through Local Family Support Networks;
• offers a five-week workshop series, Families in Early Intervention: A Program of Support and Information;
• sponsors local and regional workshops for families; and
• sponsors an annual statewide Family Focus Conference for families to share experiences with other families, to become informed about current issues, and to develop strategies to help address various aspects of daily life.
Local Family Support Networks
As the number of eligible children and families participating in the early intervention system grows, an increasing need for family support services has been identified by families and practitioners. To enhance the State’s community-based approach to early intervention, the Family Support Network proposed that Local Family Support Networks (LFSN) be established. Incentive grant funds have been made available through the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program to jurisdictions interested in establishing a LFSN.
A parent of a child with a disability coordinates each Local Family Support Network. LFSN Coordinators are selected through an interview process that includes the local Infants and Toddlers Program Director and the State Family Support Network Coordinator. LFSN Coordinators become employees of, and are directly supervised through the local early intervention system. They also become parent representatives on the Local Interagency Coordinating Council, if they are not already serving in that capacity.
Prior to initiating local efforts, LFSN Coordinators participate in in-service activities designed to address issues that have been identified by local families and practitioners. In addition, the State Family Support Network Coordinator provides training related to the development and implementation of effective local support networks for families.
Responsibilities of the LFSN Coordinator may include:
• promoting awareness of the Local Family Support Network through contacts with parents and professionals;
• developing a comprehensive community resource list;
• referring families to community resources, including respite care;
• recruiting and training volunteer parents to become mentors for other parents;
• scheduling and conducting workshops, including Families in Early Intervention: A Program of Support and Information, and other trainings based on needs that families identify;
• scheduling outings and social events to provide informal networking opportunities for families;
• writing and disseminating a periodic newsletter to notify families of relevant State and local events
• participating in additional activities identified by the Local Infants and Toddlers Program, including the annual training needs assessment to determine the local Comprehensive System of Personnel Development Plan
• coordinating with and reporting to the Family Support Network of the Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program
The Family Support Network and the IFSP Process
The Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) process provides ongoing opportunities for families and practitioners to identify the family’s resources, concerns, and priorities. Providing information about the State and Local Family Support Network is an effective strategy to address potential needs for contact with other families in similar circumstances, information about the early intervention system , or access to other community resources.
Recognizing that support for families is often the key to ensuring full partnership in the IFSP process, service coordinators are encouraged to discuss the programs and services offered through the Family Support Network when the initial IFSP is developed. The FSN may also be discussed as part of periodic reviews when families do not choose to participate in the network initially.
In jurisdictions where Local Family Support Networks have been established, LFSN Coordinators should provide service coordinators with relevant materials and information to share with families. The State FSN provides self-addressed stamped postcards for families in jurisdictions without a LFSN who want to receive information about statewide events. In keeping with confidentiality requirements, contact with families by either the State or Local Family Support Network Coordinator is limited to mailings, unless written consent for individual contact is given.
Documentation of services that are needed by an eligible child or family, but that are not required or covered under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is required by federal regulations. Equally important, recording such services is helpful to the family and service coordinator because it provides a more comprehensive profile of identified needs and promotes coordinated efforts to address them.
Maryland refers to non-required services as “linkage services” and provides space for recording them on the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) document. The Family Support Network is considered to be a linkage service, so when a family chooses the State and/or Local Family Support Network as a service, enter this information on Part V of the IFSP, using the Standard Choice List as a reference.
Additional Information
For more information or to obtain additional FSN materials, Family Support Network Coordinator, Maryland Infants and Toddlers Program, at 1-800-535-0182.