| Description |
Early intervention (EI) practice often utilizes a family-centered care (FCC) model. Research has shown positive outcomes of using a FCC approach. EI practitioners need to understand FCC and have access to resources to promote successful partnerships with families. Families also need to understand their role. This presentation will highlight FCC and provide examples of family and clinician handouts and activities that can be utilized in promoting a FCC approach in early intervention. An evidence-based review of FCC will also be discussed.
Best practice in early intervention includes being able to incorporate evidence into the clinical-reasoning process in order to explain the rationale behind interventions (Crepeau, Boyt, Schell, & Cohn, 2008). Using a family-centered care (FCC) approach has been shown to show positive outcomes such as improved family-provider communication, enhanced family functioning, and positive family satisfaction (Dunst & Trivette, 2009; Kuhlthau et al., 2011). The FCC model fits well with occupational therapy¿s focus on client-centered care and the Early Intervention (EI) goal of empowering families to be the experts and advocates for their child. The FCC model views the families as equal partners and focuses on strengths of the family and ways to support family functioning (Espe-Sherwindt, 2008). Interventions are individualized, flexible, and are tailored to family-identified needs of each child and family. Practitioners and families benefit from understanding the FCC approach in order to build partnerships with each other throughout the EI process. Resources such as a family brochure and a clinician handout were developed through a partnership with occupational therapy students and a non-profit agency that provides EI services in the western Chicago suburbs. This presentation will include information about FCC, the development of the handouts, and strategies for incorporating FCC into practice.
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