Transcript Effective Family Support Communication Strategies

Effective Family Support
Communication Strategies
Candace Lindow-Davies
Coordinator
Minnesota Hands & Voices
&
Co-Author
Karen Putz
President
Illinois Hands & Voices
Financial Disclosure Statement
A: I have no relevant financial relationship
with the manufacturers of any commercial
products and/or provider of commercial
services discussed in this CME activity.
B: I do not intend to discuss an
unapproved/investigative use of a
commercial product/device in my
presentation.
How Did This Get In Here?
Geez,
Mom!
Overview
1. Minnesota Demographics
2. Background about MN Hands & Voices
3. Observations about Changing Needs of
Parents
4. Communication Strategies
5. Application to Other States
6. Conclusion
Minnesota Demographics
Approximately 70,000 births per year
111 Birthing hospitals
Metro Area in Southeast of State
Vast rural communities
No UNHS mandate…yet
Background on
Minnesota Hands & Voices
30 years of family support specific to deaf/hard of hearing in
Minnesota
Strong signing, cueing and oral community
Family Support Connection in existence for over 6 years (Now
MN Hands & Voices)
Program supported primarily by Greater Twin Cities United
Way
Staff consists of 9 paid Parent Guides = under 2 FTE’s
3 Metro
6 Greater MN (Guide By Your Side Program)
492 Unduplicated Parents/Professionals Served in 2006
Over 700 on mailing list
Observations about Changing
Needs of Parents
10 years ago, families had to personally attend
workshops to get information or to find support
from other families
Today, families have access to information without
leaving their home
Families are far more complicated and heavily
scheduled
Our charge is to make sure that parents get
accurate, comprehensive information/support for
all choices in as many ways as possible
Communication Types
Passive Communication
Group
Interactions
Anonymous
Interactions
One-on-one
Communication
Communication Strategies:
Passive Communication
Newsletters**
Mass Email Alerts
Web Site**
Fact Sheets**
Parent Welcome Letters**
New Parent Packets
**These items are on our web site
Passive Communication:
Newsletters
Mailed Version
Email Version
Web Site Posting
School Flyer
See our web site
Passive Communication:
Mass Email Alerts
Custom Designed Database
Client and Professional Information
Email/Mass Email System
Database stores incoming emails under the
individual’s profile so history is kept
Past common responses can be searched
and used again
Example of MN Database:
Mass Email
Example of MN Database:
New Client Profile
Passive Communication:
Fact Sheets
Variety of fact sheets developed based on
common questions from parents
Topics include: Beginning sign language,
cued speech, auditory training,
communication options, resources in the
Spanish-speaking community, unilateral
hearing loss and so on
See our web site
Passive Communication:
Parent Welcome Letters
Tool used to encourage parents to reach out for
support
Opens with explaining the family’s diagnosis story
Discuss one challenge or success
End with words of encouragement
Three letters in Spanish, Hmong and Somali
languages
See our web site
Parent Welcome Letters
Communication Strategies:
Anonymous Interactions
Chat Rooms/Bulletin Boards
Email
Anonymous Interactions:
Hands & Voices Bulletin Board
Parents can post questions about different
topics
Moderated
Can pose questions specifically to a state
chapter
Hands & Voices Bulletin Board:
http://www.handsandvoices.org/hv/phpBB2/
Communication Strategies:
One-on-one personal communication
Phone communication between Parent Guides and
parent
Email communication between Parent Guides and
parent
Facilitated phone/email contact between parents
In person meetings between Parent Guides and
parents
Facilitated in person meetings between parents
Communication Strategies:
Small Group Interaction
Small group interaction at a setting familiar
to the parent
Parent group at a school, church or cultural
center
Small group interaction at a setting
unfamiliar to the parent
Host organization’s site
Public Place
Communication Strategies:
Large Group Involvement
Social Events
Educational Workshops
Retreats
Regional Family Activities/Socialization
Days
Application to Other States
(Or What I’ve Learned the Hard Way)
Events require months of advanced notice
Advertisements in more than one way/time
Marketing needs to “speak” to parents
Timing must be convenient
Barriers to participation need to be removed
Communication
Financial
Child Care
Parking
Site Location
Other Take Home Points
Make events annual for the best attendance
Vary your events so they are accessible
Strive to appeal to appeal to different ages
Offer events in a variety of locations in your state
Get buy-in/support/recruitment from all groups
Check for Balance/Fairness
Experiment with interesting topics
Mix fun/social events with education
Conclusion
Parent education is an opportunity to bring necessary
information to families at pivotal decision-making
moments in their lives.
Many different communication strategies must be
engaged in order to reach families at different
levels.
A family armed with support, information and tools
to advocate for their child…priceless!
Contact Information
Candace Lindow-Davies
Family Support Coordinator
MN Hands & Voices
Family Support Connection
Lifetrack Resources
709 University Avenue West
St. Paul, MN 55104-4804
866-346-4543
[email protected]
www.familysupportconnection.org
Contact Information
Karen Putz
President
Illinois Hands and Voices
www.Ilhandsandvoices.org
[email protected]