Parent Coordinators

Parent Coordinators receive training in the law regarding people with disabilities, communication skills, providing parent-to-parent support, working with policy makers, and receive information on services available in their communities and how to access them. In their contacts with families, Parent Coordinators demonstrate ways in which to cope with ongoing challenges as well as experiencing joy and pride in the achievements of their children with special needs.

Parent Coordinators pass along up-to-date information about community-based services and resources, and teach new parents how to form successful partnerships with service providers. We know that parents are the experts about the needs of their own children and families. We also know that parents, as primary care providers, are experts in receiving services.

Parents in the WFSN may also serve on advisory committees and councils throughout the State. Interested parents have the opportunity to work together in their communities to create a positive climate for sharing information and expertise, and for creating needed services.

Parent Coordinators attend conferences with other parents and professionals from Wyoming and other states that are active in creating new ways to serve our children with special needs and our families.

The purpose of the Network is to provide information and support to parents who have children with special needs. Local WFSN activities are determined by the expressed needs of families in that particular community. Local WFSN Parent Coordinators assist communities in many ways, as a general rule however; their involvement falls in the following six areas:

One-on-one Support:

The majority of Parent Coordinators invest a great amount of time and emotional involvement in this area. When a child is born or newly diagnosed with a disability, a parent often feels overwhelmed by emotion and concern for the future. The Parent Coordinator can provide an empathetic ear as a result of personally experiencing many of those same feelings. They also can alleviate some of the fear the new parent experiences by providing information about available services and supports. Child study meetings, Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs), Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Individualized Centered Plan of Care (IPCs) etc. can also feel intimidating to many parents. For some, having another parent in attendance provides tremendous encouragement. The Parent Coordinators are trained advocates, having knowledge about the education system, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (I.D.E.A.), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), etc. In the maze of agencies, laws, regulations and services, the Parent Coordinators empower families to advocate for themselves.

Agency Support:

It is not uncommon for some parents to expend a lot of energy dealing with "non issues". Parent Coordinators, with a better understanding of the laws and rights of parents can assist in refocusing the parent, resulting in a time savings to all involved, as well as, creating more congenial meetings. Agencies find Parent Coordinators to be great assets as liaisons. In some communities, Special Education Directors have used part of their Title VI-b funds to help fund Parent Coordinators to facilitate support group activities and to work as liaisons between the school district and parents.

Disability Awareness:

With inclusion becoming the common trend in all areas of living, Parent Coordinators are assisting with the transitions and increasing the level of acceptance for people with disabilities. Parent Coordinators can provide awareness information and training to day care centers, children in classrooms, paraprofessionals, agency staff, parent-teacher organizations, civic organizations, media, potential employers and business owners, community decision makers, state and national legislators. The WFSN has two fine awareness programs. The disAbility Experience, a "hands on" experience of six different disabilities and the Abilities, a group of puppets that can talk about the "Abilities" that everyone has. You can receive more information about these projects by visiting the WFSN Programs section of this site.

Collaboration:

Parent Coordinators are serving on many advisory boards at the state and local levels. Agencies are realizing that the parent/consumer perspective is an invaluable component of an effective service delivery system.

Policy Making:

Before the Family Support Network became a part of the Wyoming INstitute for Disabilities (WIND), it was actively involved in legislative issues and was successful in seeing legislation pass which has had a positive impact on the lives of families and individuals with disabilities. Now the Wyoming Family Support Network assists with forums around the state where families, individuals with disabilities and policy makers are invited to attend. Current issues involving disability issues are discussed. The WFSN provides information on issues concerning people with disabilities and facilitates the communication between the policy makers and families.

Requirements:

Parent Coordinators in the WFSN are a diversified group, from a variety of cultural and economic backgrounds and represent children with a broad range of disabilities. Parent Coordinators are required to attend two WFSN trainings and submit at least two Quarterly Data Collection and In-Kind Reports. These trainings are provided at no cost to the Parent Coordinator. Training subjects range from the laws pertaining to people with disabilities (I.D.E.A., Section 504, ADA, etc.) to communication skills. Once the Parent Coordinators have attended these trainings, they are encouraged to return to their communities with this information and disperse it in formal or informal meetings. These trainings also allow an opportunity for Parent Coordinators to network and give emotional and physical support to each other. The WFSN continually distributes updated information on issues that affect families and individuals with disabilities.

Program Direction:

The WFSN Director coordinates the activities of the Wyoming Family Support Network. The WFSN Advisory Board defines goals and objectives; however, issues and topics for trainings are discussed by the Parent Coordinators. Quarterly evaluations of the WFSN are given to the Parent Coordinators to ensure that the WFSN is going in a direction determined by the majority of the Parent Coordinators. Periodic phone calls, memos, faxes, and emails among the Parent Coordinators and the Director helps disseminate the news about events within the state and federal government that directly affects our families. At times it is helpful for individuals to elicit the help of other Parent Coordinators in other communities who are more acquainted with a given disability.

Application for Parent Coordinators:

When Parent Coordinators or the Project Director meet or observe a parent they feel would be an asset to the WFSN, they encourage them to complete a Parent Coordinator in Training application. Individuals interested in becoming a Parent Coordinator for the WFSN can call the State Office, (800) 567-9376 or down load the Application Form at the end of this page. Parent Coordinators in Training must attend two WFSN trainings and submit at least two quarterly Data Collection and In-Kind Reports. After a year, the Parent Coordinator in Training is reviewed by the WFSN Project Director. The WFSN Project Director reviews the qualifications of the Parent Coordinator in Training, their reputation and support of their community and their past year of service to the WFSN. The Parent Coordinator in Training is then asked if they wish to become a Parent Coordinator.

Parent Coordinators are the core of the WFSN. Membership in the Wyoming Family Support Network is at the discretion of the Wyoming Family Support Network (WFSN) Director. Any actions by Parent Coordinators that would bring discredit or conflict with the Mission of the WFSN would be grounds for dismissal from the WFSN. The WFSN has developed a reputation of integrity and professionalism in the organizations and agencies that support people with disabilities. It is this reputation that the WFSN wants to continue as they grow in numbers and influence within the system of the State.