Working Together for Families
State Deaf-Blind Project & Parent Center Collaborations
A key activity of state deaf-blind projects is to partner with parent centers to serve families in their states. In this report you will learn a variety of practical strategies—some small and some more extensive—that state deaf-blind projects and parent centers use to work together to increase the effectiveness of their services to families.
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Being collaborative and complementary, rather than competitive, has made our collaboration successful. We work hard to serve families so they are better able to support and advocate for their children with disabilities. This is the central goal with all collaborative endeavors--supporting families to improve child outcomes. ~ Maryland
Gaining insight into the workings of each other’s projects has made us better TA providers. ~ New York
We have a better understanding of each other's work and project initiatives, which has an overall impact on families from both organizations through direct services, parent trainings, and teacher/educator professional development. ~ Ohio
Another factor to our success is having a true understanding of each other’s project and the services provided by the project. ~ Oklahoma
[The MI parent center and state deaf-blind project] both believe supporting parents is the most important service we can provide. We also have a "we are better together" working agreement. ~ Michigan
We have a strong collaboration that is considered a friendship based on years of collaboration. We all know who to call or email. Our collaboration is successful because of a long-term relationship built on trust . . . Everyone is on first name basis. ~ Nebraska
A general understanding of what each project does, but communication is limited.
Beginning to establish professional relationships and share information.
Consistently share information and engage in frequent communication.
Have established processes that drive and organize shared work.
