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How the Program Works
- Family Resource
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Tell
me more about Participating as a Family Resource
A Family
Resource is a family member of a child with special needs who is
willing to share their perspective with a service provider who is
currently participating as a Mentee (learner) in the Mentor Program.
How
is being a Family Resource different from being a Mentor?
- As
a Family Resource, you share your experience of having a child
with special needs. You do not have to have any specific training. Rather, it is your life and experiences is what the Mentee can
learn from. Your willingness to share your story and help a service
provider understand what factors support successful family-service
provider collaboration and family-centered services is what is most important.
- As
a Family Resource, you will not have to commit to working with
a Mentee for 20 hours of mentorship. A Family Resource will only
be asked to talk with a mentee for up to a maximum of 5 hours
over the span of the mentee's 12-month mentorship. All mentees
will already have a mentor who can collaborate with you to help
answer any questions.
How
can I, as a Family Resource, help a Mentee?
- By
sharing your experience of having a child with special needs and
the interventions and experiences that were positive for their
child and family.
- By
answering questions about your child's development and the community
resources that you found to be the most helpful.
- By
sharing your experience with the IFSP and/or IEP process and what
your child and family gained from the process.
Where
do you expect this relationship to take place?
- We
envision this relationship to provide the opportunity for mentees
to visit the family's home, meet their family, and learn from
them in a comfortable way. It is up to you and the Mentee when
and where you would like to meet.
Why
is the Mentor Program providing this opportunity?
- We
greatly value the family perspective and view it as instrumental
in the education of service providers working with children with
special needs. Family-service provider collaboration is an integral
part of the mission of the Family Support Network of North Carolina
and we believe it is essential to the application of best practice
in early intervention.
Will
I be reimbursed for my time as a Family Resource?
- Yes.
We value the families' participation and will provide a stipend
of $20 per hour up to five hours.
How
do I sign up to be a Family Resource?
- Please
complete an application on-line or email
Laura Curtis to mail you an application.
