2008 Family Leadership Summit Speakers

Samtra K. Devard: Morning Keynote Speaker

Samtra K. Devard resides in Bear, Delaware with her husband, Leonard and their three children – ages 7, 5, and 4. Samtra is a devoted advocate for children with special needs and their families. She is particularly interested in advocating for systems change. Samtra is one of the coordinators of the Parent Leadership and Parent-Practitioner Partnership Initiatives in Delaware. This initiative has engaged parent leaders to find and use their voice to make a difference in the life of their child and the systems of which they are consumers. Samtra is founder of the HOPE Center of Delaware –which has as its mission to impact the world of children and families.

Topic

"The Family Voice: The Currency of Family Leadership"

The intent of using money as a metaphor is that we all understand the value of money. A family’s experiences on their journey raising a child with special needs are what add value to systems change efforts. Samtra will speak about how important it is to recognize that value and how to shape your message and efforts in a constructive way. She will share experiences and challenges she has faced in Delaware working with the Parent Leadership Initiative and from her personal journey as a parent of a child with special needs.

Wendy Jones: Afternoon Keynote Speaker

Wendy Jones is a research instructor in the Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. She has been associated with the Georgetown University Center for Child & Human Development, University Centers of Excellence, for the past 13 years and has served in various capacities. She is a bilingual special educator and social worker specializing in advocacy, support, and training for individuals and families with limited English proficiency and families.

Currently, Ms. Jones directs the Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs project of the National Center for Cultural Competence (NCCC).

Topic

"Cultural and Linguistic Competency: A Tool to Take Your Work to the Next Level"

Cultural and linguistic competency are recognized by families, educators and providers as fundamental aspects of quality service delivery. This plenary is designed to: (1) explore how cultural and linguistic competency can enhance the capacity of family leaders to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds, (2) provide definitions and conceptual frameworks for cultural and linguistic competency, (3) apply principles and concepts of cultural and linguistic competency to core organizational functions, roles and responsibilities, and (4) examine these concepts within the context of training and education, research, and community engagement and collaboration.

Morning Session 1

Samtra K. Devard - Session A

"Yes Me? Answering The Call to Family Leadership and Understanding The Value of Your Voice"

Families who experience the journey of a child with a disability are in a unique position as a valued resource to the systems, agencies and organizations that provide services. The family voice is a significant and effective way to improve service delivery, which ultimately improves outcomes for children and their families. This workshop will help families:

1. Understand the meaning of family leadership
2. To learn how to shape their experiences in a compelling and constructive manner
3. Find ways to use their voice to make a difference

Kim Kang - Session B

Grassroots Organizing 101

This breakout session will explore the ways parents can create change through grassroots organizing. Participants will learn about different methods to create change as well as organizing strategies which include contacting policy makers, media, and coalitions.

Jerry Mellum, Suzanne Renfroe, and Amy Dawson - Session C

Advocacy Within Systems

Join a senior planning analyst from Hennepin County, a representative who serves on the state Special Education Advisory Committee and a health advocate from PACER Center to:

• Enhance your knowledge of systems responsible for county services and public programs
• Improve your understanding of parental rights and responsibilities
• Learn about parent advocate positions and leadership opportunities to create systems change

Roxy Foster and Alice Lynch - Session D

The Power of Parent Groups: initiation, facilitation, inclusion

• Participants will be able to state how Circle of Parents promotes family support and parent leadership.
• Participants will understand the important skills of group facilitation, using the circle process to enhance learning and become more culturally aware of each other.
• Participants will learn steps needed to begin developing a Circle of Parents chapter in their community.

This workshop will use a power point presentation and interactive practice situations to illustrate how mutual self help enhances parents to become stronger, advocate for themselves and their children and how Circle of Parents’ groups are created in consultation and with the support of parents and communities. We will present information about the importance of including families in developing groups and explore the benefits of family support in providing programming to parents and children.

Circle of Parents acknowledges that parent leadership is a journey developed in conjunction with the growth and development of their children.

Afternoon Session 2

Wendy Jones - Session A

Creating Partnerships within Cultural Contexts: Strategies that Work

Currently agencies providing supports for families with children and youth with disabilities and/or special health care needs are experiencing the effects of significant demographic changes within communities. Agencies and their staff need to understand the implications of serving culturally and linguistically diverse populations and respond with appropriate policies, practices and strategies to engage the range of diverse families and communities that may require their services. This interactive session will review the foundations for understanding the basic elements of cultural and linguistic competence both from the individual and organizational perspectives. Special emphasis will be placed on the impact of culture on engaging and partnering with families from all aspects of the cultural spectrum.

Mary Hartnett - Session B

Parent Power in Public Policy

This breakout session will feature two parents who will share their journey in public policy. They will share how they mobilized other parents, challenges they encountered, strategies they used, and practical tips for you to use in working with public policy leaders.

Jerry Mellum, Suzanne Renfroe, and Amy Dawson - Session C

Advocacy Within Systems

Join a senior planning analyst from Hennepin County, a representative who serves on the state Special Education Advisory Committee and a health advocate from PACER Center to:

• Enhance your knowledge of systems responsible for county services and public programs
• Improve your understanding of parental rights and responsibilities
• Learn about parent advocate positions and leadership opportunities to create systems change

Roxy Foster and Alice Lynch - Session D

The Power of Parent Groups: initiation, facilitation, inclusion

• Participants will be able to state how Circle of Parents promotes family support and parent leadership.
• Participants will understand the important skills of group facilitation, using the circle process to enhance learning and become more culturally aware of each other.
• Participants will learn steps needed to begin developing a Circle of Parents chapter in their community.

This workshop will use a power point presentation and interactive practice situations to illustrate how mutual self help enhances parents to become stronger, advocate for themselves and their children and how Circle of Parents’ groups are created in consultation and with the support of parents and communities. We will present information about the importance of including families in developing groups and explore the benefits of family support in providing programming to parents and children.

Circle of Parents acknowledges that parent leadership is a journey developed in conjunction with the growth and development of their children.