Unit 2/Phase 2: Follow Along

Application Station:
Meeting Ongoing Family Needs

The following activities are designed to assist you in reflecting upon the information that is contained in this learning module and applying it to your practice. Below are a variety of activities to allow you to choose those that fit your needs, learning styles, and time commitments. If you like an activity, or find it particularly helpful, please feel free to share the information with your colleagues.

1. Read the James Hill Story. Reflect on this “Follow Along” telephone conversation. Answer the discussion questions which may give you insight on 1) directing a conversation, 2) respecting the family's desire to informally identify a service coordinator, and 3) problem solving and increasing communication between providers to allow everyone to do their job.

2. Read The Team Meeting Story. A team meeting is called between the parent, early intervention providers, and a community partner to address a mother's concerns. Consider the discussion questions which focus on setting an appropriate agenda for such a meeting and thinking about how to address or resolve issues raised by all parties involved.

3. Read about Running an Effective Meeting. Try new facilitation skills at your next meeting. What worked? What could improve?

4. Complete the Cultural Reframing Exercise - (HTML version) by rephrasing each statement. Consider the examples provided. What is our responsibility to respond to co-workers who use judgmental language about families? How does positive reframing enhance our ability to work with families?

5. Think about a family you are working with who has expressed interest in getting involved in community activities (i.e. library story hour, neighborhood playgroups, etc.) Call the local Children With Special Health Care Needs Regional Center for ideas or take information on a community activity to that family. Discuss how Birth to 3 can support involvement.

NOTE: This would be a good time to sit down with your supervisor or mentor to discuss what you have read and address any questions you may have. Use your Browser’s back button to return to the table of contents and move on to Phase 3.

 These modules were developed from a combination of materials, including:

1)      Pathways Service Coordination Project, Waisman Center-University of Wisconsin-Madison, funded by a number of grants from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. These materials were developed and field tested for several years within Wisconsin and several other states throughout the nation, leading to these publications: Pathways Trail Mix: A Collection of Ideas and Training Activities in Early Intervention Service Coordination (1999); Pathways in Early Intervention Service Coordination: A Video & Companion Guide (1996); and Pathways: A Training and Resource Guide for Enhancing Skills in Early Intervention Service Coordination (1996)

2)      Wisconsin Personnel Development Project/Birth to 3 RESource Training materials posted on the Birth to 3 Training and Technical Assistance Website

3)      Portage Project, CESA 5 Training Materials

4)      Materials and forms created by Wisconsin County Birth to 3 Programs

5)      Resources available on the Internet that have been developed by other programs throughout the country.