Early Steps has created an infrastructure to ensure family involvement throughout the early intervention process that includes Statewide Parent Consultants make hot spot or link (information on the next page) and Family Resources Specialists make link or hot spot (read about it later in the lesson) in the Local Early Steps, the Family Leadership Committee of the Florida Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers, as well as ongoing input mechanisms established for family input including workgroups, websites, and partnerships with other family groups and organizations. Florida's Early Steps system recognizes the critical roles families play throughout the early intervention process and remains committed to evaluating and assessing opportunities to enhance family involvement and family-centered practices.
Statewide Parent Consultants
The State Early Steps Office utilizes two Statewide Parent Consultants who share one position to provide family input and involvement at the state level including policy development and review, assistance in quality assurance activities, trainings, workgroups, collaboration with other statewide family groups, and technical assistance to Family Resource Specialists throughout Florida. The State Parent Consultants are family members of children who currently or previously received early intervention services or would have been eligible for early intervention services. One Parent Consultant is identified as the Lead State Parent Consultant and participates in a broad array of initiatives in an ongoing effort to enhance a family-centered approach to the Early Steps System. The Lead State Parent Consultant's primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Assist in the review, modification and development of statewide policies and procedures, with a family-perspective approach, to ensure positive outcomes for families within the Early Steps System.
Consult with the Early Steps State Office to provide family input and perspective in regards to Florida's Part C system including but not limited to training, quality assurance, complaints, and service delivery.
Solicit and express views of families throughout the Early Steps System to Children's Medical Services, Early Steps State Office.
Serve as a liaison to the Family Leadership Committee of the Florida Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers.
Work in collaboration with statewide family organizations to support and enhance family initiatives throughout Florida.
Provide support and technical assistance to the State Parent Consultant.
The other Parent Consultant is identified as the State Parent Consultant whose responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Provide ongoing training and technical assistance to the Family Resource Specialist network throughout Florida.
Participate in trainings and meetings related to family involvement or early intervention initiatives, as appropriate.
Assist the Lead State Parent Consultant, as needed.
Role of Family Resource Specialists (FRS)
Since 1992, Florida's Early Steps has implemented a local family involvement structure of Family Resource Specialists (FRS). Each Local Early Steps service area is required to have Family Resource Specialists (FRS) involved in their local area. The FRS works closely with the Early Steps Director/Coordinator. The FRS must be a family member of a child who received early intervention services or would have been eligible for early intervention services. The FRS serves as a resource for families served through the local Early Steps and serves as a community link to support family-centered efforts and activities within the local Early Steps. The FRS advocates for families served by expressing the views, perspectives and needs conveyed by families. The FRS also solicits feedback from families receiving early intervention services to ensure diverse input regarding programs, policies and the delivery of early intervention services.
