FAST Skills for Effective Parent Advocates for KATC.txt

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Skills for Effective 
Parent Advocacy 

A curriculum created by the 
National Family Advocacy Support and Training (FAST) Project, a 
project of PACER Center: fastfamilysupport.org 

 

 welcomes you to� 

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Sandra Duverge 
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Agenda 

You will learn: 

�What advocacy means 
�How to improve your advocacy skills 
�How you can make a difference! 


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Use Your Power 

�The most common way people 
give up their power is by thinking 
they don�t have any.� 
�Alice Walker 

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What is an Advocate? 

Advocates speak up for themselves or others 
to make things better. 

Have you ever? 

�Met with your child�s teacher about any issue? 
�Spoke at a local gathering about a project you care 
about? 
�Told a cashier that an item was not ringing up 
correctly? 


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Why be an Advocate? 

�Your experiences are 
valuable and can be used 
to improve things 
�You know when something 
is or isn�t working 
�You have ideas how to 
make things better 
�You have the only long-
term connection to this 
child 


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Six Skills 

To be an effective advocate: 

1. Understand your child�s disability 

2. Know the key players 

3. Know your rights and responsibilities 

4. Become well organized 

5. Use clear and effective communication 

6. Know how to resolve disagreements 

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In Other Words: 

1.Who is the �star�? 
2.Who are the players? 
3.What are the rules? 
4.What is my plan of 
action? 
5.What do I say when it�s 
my turn? 
6.What do we do when 
we disagree? 


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Skill #1: Understand Your 
Child�s Disability 

Understanding helps you: 

�Know which services are 
appropriate for your child 
�Have high expectations 
�Find the right assistive 
technology and 
accommodations 


Use resources to learn more! 


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Skill #2: Know the Key Players 

�Who is the director or 
decision maker? 
�Are staff people 
public, non-profit, or 
private employees? 
�How can you find a 
person�s name? 


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Skill #3: Know Your Rights 
and Responsibilities 

Learn about them by: 

�Reading Web sites 
�Asking how service is funded 
�Asking to see laws and policies 
�Asking questions 
�Joining a group 


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Parents as Partners 

Parents and professionals can be partners and: 

�Work together 
�Share goals 
�Have individual roles 
�Share authority 
�Have different skills 
�Solve problems 




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Skill #4: Become Well Organized 

�Keep records 
�Put it in writing 
�Keep a phone log 
�Have a meeting 
notebook 


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Skill #5: Use Clear and Effective 
Communication 

�Keep your eyes 
on the �prize� � 
the right service 
for your child! 
�Listen and ask 
questions 


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Skill #5: Use Clear and Effective 
Communication 

�Focus on needs of 
the child 
�Problem solve 
together to find 
solutions 


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Skill # 5: Use Clear and Effective 
Communication 

�Speak clearly 
�Avoid making 
people feel 
defensive 
�Turn negatives 
into positives 
�Summarize 


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Tips for Good Communication 
at a Meeting 

�Focus on your goal 
�Show respect and expect it from 
others 
�Manage your emotions 
�Ask questions 
�Rephrase for clarification 
�Say thanks 


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Tips for Written Communication 

Letters should: 

�Be sent to person who can make a change 
�Be dated and signed 
�Focus on one or two issues 
�Be no longer than one page 
�Set a deadline if a reply is requested 
�Give your contact information 


Remember to keep a copy for yourself! 


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When You Disagree 

�Disagree without being disagreeable 
�Apologize if needed 
�Separate the person from the problem 
�Realize NO ONE has all the answers 
�Make sure your facts are correct 
�Choose your battles 


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Skill #6: Know How to Resolve 
Disagreements 

Informal Processes: 

�Talk to people first 




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Skill #6: Know How to Resolve 
Disagreements 

Formal Processes: 

�Mediation 
�Complaints 
�Appeals 




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Skills Checklist 

.What have you learned? 
.Is there a skill you hope to improve? 
.Do you need more resources? 
.Do you need more support? 


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Summary 

�I am only one, but still I am one. I 
cannot do everything, but still I can do 
something. I will not refuse to do the 
something that I can do.� 

 �Helen Keller 

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Contact Information 

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smduverge@kyyouth.org 
502.587.6500 
502.895.8167x114