Family Partnership Specialist Training Program

2011

The expertise and perspective of family members is increasingly seen as an irreplaceable body of knowledge that is crucial to the optimal functioning of interdisciplinary teams serving those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The CHDD LEND program now recruits and accepts family members of individuals with I/DD as Family Partnership Specialist trainees in our program. Family trainees are mentored and supervised by a Family Partnership faculty, also a family member, who participates on the interdisciplinary team. Family Partnership trainees bring a unique perspective which is valuable to interdisciplinary faculty, staff and trainees from other disciplines. As members of the team, they offer expertise on community-based supports and services for families, promote the delivery of family-centered care, and raise the consciousness of team members about the experiences, perspectives and needs of the families who seek services at CHDD. Family trainees participate in all aspects of the available LEND learning experiences as a means to enhance their knowledge of the service delivery system and the work of the other disciplines, as well as to further develop their leadership skills. Family trainees are selected based on their demonstrated interest in leadership as well as their relevant personal experience and readiness to commit to a structured training program. Long-term Family trainees (300 hours over one year) are eligible for available stipend support and are required to carry out a leadership project which they present at a program held in early June of each year for all LEND trainees.

Training Trainees

Quality Assurance, Health-Related Activities

Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers

None

State

N/A