Find a P2P program that will "match" yours by searching all your concerns or search by the single topic above using the drop-down box and hitting 'submit' button.

 

Some sort of screening process gives the program coordinator a chance to get to know the prospective veteran parent so that a match can be made around some of the more subjective attributes (communication style, personality, where the veteran parent may be in the adjustment process) as well as a child's special needs.

Screening – Some Things to Think About:

• Host “Informational Gatherings” to introduce the role of veteran parent, the training, and the match, to help parents decide whether or not they want to become a “Supporting Parent” and to learn more about why they are interested in providing peer support and hear where they are in their own families’ lives
• Many Programs screen potential Supporting Parent in the following ways:
• Acceptance of their own child and adjustment to their family situation
• Ability to reach out and provide support to other parents
• Ability to cope with other people's problems and a tolerance of values and feelings that may be different from their own
• Willingness to share their own family story with others
• Communication skills
• Maturity and empathy
• Sense of self and respect for others
• Time available

The training sessions for veteran parents are a critical component in a Parent to Parent program. The vast majority of Parent to Parent programs (78%) offer at least 6 hours of training to veteran parents before they are matched.

Training – Some Things to Think About:

• Training provides a solid foundation about available community resources as well as skills in communication and empathetic listening
• Veteran Parents are provided opportunities for self-evaluation and time to look closely at their own values, beliefs, and actions
• The number of participants in your training should be small enough to foster comradery and intimacy but large enough to stimulate the sharing of diverse backgrounds and ideas

Some helpful strategies to consider as the training program is designed are:

• Decide who will provide the training sessions.
• Consider the numbers of sessions, dates and locations. Some programs offer several 1-3 hour sessions over a several week period, while others develop a more concentrated program consisting of 1 or 2 full-day sessions. The time and location of the training sessions should fit the preferences of the group members.
• Offer childcare and refreshments to make it easier and more enjoyable for the participants to attend the sessions.
• Consider the use of local community resource persons as speakers.
• Plan a "graduation" party to honor the new veteran parents, and award certificates to all who complete the training.

Over 80% of all Parent to Parent programs include the following content areas in their training:

• ***Listening skills***
• Communication Skills
• Overview of Parent to Parent
• Emotional responses to the disability experience
• Community resources and services
• Information about disabilities
• Positive philosophy about disability

The results of the national study to determine the effectiveness of Parent to Parent support indicate that referred parents who have more contacts from their supporting parent find Parent to Parent support to be more helpful than referred parents who have fewer contacts. Thus it will be important to emphasize in the training how important it is for veteran parents to make at least 4 contacts in the first 8 weeks of the match, and then to continue to make on-going connections easy for the referred parent.

The Match – Some Things to Think about:

• Results of our national efficacy study indicates that more contact with a referred parent leads to greater satisfaction with the support offered.
• Research tells us it is important for the Supporting Parent to initiate contacts with the referred parent, especially at the beginning of the match.

There are many excellent training materials for veteran parents that have been developed by Parent to Parent programs across the country. These training guides provide content, suggested resources and materials, sample handouts, and suggested group and individual training activities for the total sequence of training sessions.

To search for a "matching" program to request information to learn about their resources: select materials under "Train Peer Mentors" then also select material under either "Technical Assistance NO charge" or "Technical Assistance if reimbursed" then hit the submit button.

In addition to the training for veteran parents, Parent to Parent programs often provide other supports for their veteran parents including:

• A manual for veteran parents. This manual typically contains handouts related to the content of the training, a summary of the forms that the veteran parent uses to document the progress and outcome of each parent match, as well as information about community and state resources that are available to families.

• Consultation with the program coordinator. Once a veteran parent begins the matched experience, there may be questions that arise around which the veteran parent might benefit from 1-1 consultation with a program coordinator. Parent to Parent programs believe not only in the importance of training parents before they begin to serve as veteran parents, but also in individualized follow-up support for veteran parents once their matches get underway.

• On-going training opportunities. Many programs offer veteran parents the opportunity to participate in on-going training sessions with other trained veteran parents. These training opportunities vary in terms of their agenda items depending upon the needs and requests of the veteran parents, but they often include time for veteran parents to brainstorm together about common issues related to their matches and to share tips with each other.

Occasionally, parents who have yet to be trained are asked to participate in a match. An abridged training with follow-up after the match is typically provided with encouragement to attend a full training when available.

Excerpted from Santelli, B., Poyadue, F.S., & Young, J.L. (2001). The parent to parent handbook: Connecting families of children with special needs. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.; posted by permission. (www.brookespublishing.com/store/books/santelli-4978/index.htm; 1-800-638-3775)

Matching a referred parent with a veteran parent is the very heart of Parent to Parent programs, and the success of the match determines the quality of support the referred parent receives from the Parent to Parent program. Thus it is important that matches are implemented with careful thought and planning.

Some important logistics to consider when establishing the referral system are:

• An important first step is to select a local referral telephone number for publication and widespread distribution to all potential referral sources

• Appoint a person to coordinate incoming referrals and establish matches. This person should, if possible, be a parent of a family member with a disability.
  
• Coordinator confirms that the new parent is familiar with the Parent to Parent program and wishes to be matched with a veteran parent. No anonymous referrals are accepted, and no matches are made without the expressed consent of the referred parent.

Parent to Parent programs participating in the Parent to Parent National Survey Project indicate that they use an average of 6 different factors to determine an appropriate match. Some of the factors used most often by Parent to Parent programs are:

• The family members with a disability have a similar disability (96%)
• The families face similar medical, educational, legal problems (91%)
• The family members with a disability are about the same age (57%)
• The families have similar family structures (47%)

The parent-researcher team that conducted the efficacy study of Parent to Parent learned from interviews with referred parents who participated in the study that aside from the factors previously described, the quality of the parent match is enhanced if several other factors are considered as well. Referred parents in the study who were most satisfied with their matches reported that their supporting parent had:

• Similar personality characteristics to their own
• A similar philosophy about parenting
• A similar communication style to their own
• Similar attitudes about disability and expectations for their child with a disability

Once an appropriate match is determined, the veteran parent is notified and given all of the pertinent information about the referred parent. The veteran parent then contacts the referred parent, usually by telephone initially, and preferably within 24 hours of the time the referral first came in to the program

The research results from the efficacy study of Parent to Parent support suggest that:

• Some Parent to Parent matches are short-term and consist of only a very few contacts, while others evolve into lifelong relationships.
• Referred parent satisfaction with the matched increases with the number of contacts from the veteran parent.
• Many program coordinators, local, regional, or statewide are now contacting the veteran parent within 2-3 days after they have been matched with a referred parent just to be sure that the important first contact has been made and to answer any questions that the veteran parent may have.
• Logs for documenting the contacts and the progress of each match, as well as of reminder postcards, are used by many programs to ensure that at least four contacts occur during the first eight weeks of the match.

Excerpted from Santelli, B., Poyadue, F.S., & Young, J.L. (2001). The parent to parent handbook: Connecting families of children with special needs. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.; posted by permission. (www.brookespublishing.com/store/books/santelli-4978/index.htm; 1-800-638-3775)

One of the most challenging (and rewarding) aspects of developing a Parent to Parent program is funding. Many begin and remain as volunteer programs, others move toward hiring a coordinator, seeking sponsorship, or becoming a free-standing non-profit organization focusing on fundraising while establishing its mentorship program. Possible sources for funding might include:

• Local, state, and federal grants
• Private foundations and local philanthropists
• United Way Agencies
• Children's Hospital
• State Title V Program (Children with Special Health Needs)
• Specific disability organizations (e.g. United Cerebral Palsy, Arc)

Not surprisingly, sponsored programs most often get funding support from their sponsoring agency; whereas non-sponsored programs tend to rely more on private donations and fundraising efforts to a greater level than sponsored programs.

Find a P2P program that will "match" yours by searching all your concerns or search by the single topic above using the drop-down box and hitting 'submit'.

Excerpted from Santelli, B., Poyadue, F.S., & Young, J.L. (2001). The parent to parent handbook: Connecting families of children with special needs. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.; posted by permission. (www.brookespublishing.com/store/books/santelli-4978/index.htm; 1-800-638-3775)

Data from the Parent to Parent National Survey Project suggest that about half of all Parent to Parent program have a sponsoring agency and about half do not. Whether to seek sponsorship is an important early decision, and the advantages and disadvantages of a sponsored and non-sponsored status need to be well considered.

Many Parent to Parent programs prefer the autonomy that a non-sponsored status permits. Decisions about program philosophy, components, growth and development are entirely up to the program, and program "ownership" resides completely with the program organizers.

 

Click on the star above for the website or click link below to download the pdf file of 'Statewide P2P Program Digest 2002' by Beach Center:

http://www.beachcenter.org/books/FullPublications/PDF/PPII_Statewide%20Parent2Parent2.pdf
Note: Since this is a 2002 publication, please use this P2PUSA website for current contact information.

Excerpted from Santelli, B., Poyadue, F.S., & Young, J.L. (2001). The parent to parent handbook: Connecting families of children with special needs. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.; posted by permission. (www.brookespublishing.com/store/books/santelli-4978/index.htm; 1-800-638-3775)

Sharing information about the Parent to Parent program with local service providers who will be the sources of parent referrals is another important step.

 

Some things to Think About:

• Parent to Parent National Survey Project reveal that 98% of the responding programs use person-to-person contacts to spread the word about their program; 91% use printed materials; and 68% use the public media.
• Find opportunities to formally present your program to community service organizations such as Rotary
• Offer staff in-service to health care agencies and other potential referral sources sharing family stories and personal testimonials about the value of the Parent to Parent program
• Write article for local newspapers
• Place brochures describing the program and providing a telephone number in doctors' offices, social service agencies, churches, and hospitals.
• Ask for opportunity to display large eye-catching posters in libraries, schools, businesses, and other public buildings
• Send letters describing the program and information packets on specific disabilities to local physicians, children’s hospitals and pediatric practices
• Invite parents to help creative ideas for outreach
• Develop and distribute Public Service Announcements to radio station
• Request local cable television assist in developing Public Service Announcement
• Developed slide-tape or videotape presentations describing the program. This format, when accompanied by parents who are actively participating in the program can be a dramatic and effective way of explaining the program to various public audiences.

Excerpted from Santelli, B., Poyadue, F.S., & Young, J.L. (2001). The parent to parent handbook: Connecting families of children with special needs. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.; posted by permission. (www.brookespublishing.com/store/books/santelli-4978/index.htm; 1-800-638-3775)

Many Parent to Parent programs have established partnerships with other local and statewide efforts. Networking and funding partnerships are essential to a Parent to Parent program's visibility, credibility, sustainability.

Find a P2P program that will "match" yours by searching all your concerns or search by the single topic above using the drop-down box and hitting 'submit' button.

A cooperative partnership exists when agencies share and work toward a common vision or purpose. For example, some Parent to Parent programs are working closely with Part C Early Intervention efforts to bring early intervention services to all young children and families.

Excerpted from Santelli, B., Poyadue, F.S., & Young, J.L. (2001). The parent to parent handbook: Connecting families of children with special needs. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.; posted by permission. (www.brookespublishing.com/store/books/santelli-4978/index.htm; 1-800-638-3775)

The number and types of support activities offered by a Parent to Parent program often vary with the size, maturity, and agency sponsorship of the program. Add additional program components only as the program is able to manage them successfully. Some options for additional support activities include:

• On-going training and consultation support for veteran parents
• Group activities for parents and/or other family members for informational/educational/emotional support
• Advocacy and/or leadership training
• Training for other professionals in the community
  

Excerpted from Santelli, B., Poyadue, F.S., & Young, J.L. (2001). The parent to parent handbook: Connecting families of children with special needs. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.; posted by permission. (www.brookespublishing.com/store/books/santelli-4978/index.htm; 1-800-638-3775)

Answering questions about the types of services provided by whom and for whom, under what conditions, at what costs, for what purpose, and with what benefits, program evaluation includes a range of approaches and methods for analyzing program operations.

Search for state P2Ps who evaluate their services by:

Documenting impact of program activities Documenting satisfaction of program activities Focus Groups Follow-up on Matches Supporting Parent Training Evaluations hit Submit button ONCE and WAIT

If your program is a newly developing program or you are considering bringing Parent to Parent support to a new segment of your community, you may want to begin by documenting the need for Parent to Parent support in your community or by learning more about parent preferences for different types of support (e.g. what are parent needs/preferences for emotional support or information about disability issues), and then use the results of the needs assessment to justify the need for Parent to Parent support and/or to clarify your own program goals and objectives.

Search for P2P programs who have the following record keeping technologies:

Computerized database that assists with matches db assists matches, tracking, follow-up, evals Paper files as primary documentation hit Submit button ONCE and WAIT

 

To strengthen existing program activities and to plan for new ones, you may want to document how satisfied parents or other users of your program are with the services that your program provides. Data will help you to:

• adapt or expand your program activities
• encourage funders and referral sources to support your program
• solidify a funding base for your program

Program Evaluation is an opportunity to partner with Universities, health care agencies, foundations and others interested in documenting outcomes.

The Beach Center has prepared a manual on program evaluation for Parent to Parent programs that takes you through all of the different kinds of program evaluation and the steps for accomplishing each.

Excerpted from Santelli, B., Poyadue, F.S., & Young, J.L. (2001). The parent to parent handbook: Connecting families of children with special needs. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.; posted by permission. (www.brookespublishing.com/store/books/santelli-4978/index.htm; 1-800-638-3775)

Click this button to build a query that finds a Parent to Parent (P2P) program that will "match" yours by searching for all your concerns and questions. By searching for more criteria, your list will have fewer states that match; by choosing the most important, you will see more states will be a "match" for you.

Many well established Parent to Parent programs have program development manuals that provide information about handling referrals and making parent matches. These manuals are available for purchase and they often contain sample record keeping forms and detailed descriptions of how the program manages referrals and makes and follows parent matches. Query above for the state programs that "match" yours.

A book signing for the Parent to Parent Handbook: Connecting Families of Children with Special Needs
by Betsy Santelli, Florene S. Poyadue and Jane L. Young.

  

In addition, a comprehensive resource developed specifically to meet the needs of Parent to Parent programs is available from Brookes Publishing (www.BrookesPublishing.com)
Santelli, B., Poyadue, F.S., & Young, J.L. (2001). The parent to parent handbook: Connecting families of children with special needs. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.; posted by permission. (www.brookespublishing.com/store/books/santelli-4978/index.htm; 1-800-638-3775)

The Beach Center on Disability also has research-based information and products on Parent to Parent. Visit www.beachcenter.org to learn more.