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 MinnesotaStrong signing, cueing and oral communityFamily Support Connection in existence for over 6 years (Now MN Hands & Voices)Program supported primarily by Greater Twin Cities United WayStaff consists of 9 paid Parent Guides = under 2 FTE’s

3 Metro6 Greater MN (Guide By Your Side Program)

492 Unduplicated Parents/Professionals Served in 2006Over 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 familiesToday, families have access to information without leaving their homeFamilies are far more complicated and heavily scheduledOur charge is to make sure that parents get accurate, comprehensive information/support for all choices in as many ways as possible

Communication Types

Passive CommunicationAnonymous Interactions

One-on-one Communication

Group Interactions

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 parentsTopics 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 noticeAdvertisements in more than one way/timeMarketing needs to “speak” to parentsTiming must be convenientBarriers to participation need to be removed

CommunicationFinancialChild CareParkingSite 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 InformationCandace Lindow-Davies

Family Support CoordinatorMN Hands & Voices

Family Support ConnectionLifetrack Resources

709 University Avenue WestSt. Paul, MN 55104-4804

866-346-4543Candaced@lifetrackresources.orgwww.familysupportconnection.org

Contact Information

Karen Putz

President

Illinois Hands and Voices

www.Ilhandsandvoices.org

Parentsofdeafhoh@aol.com