Iowa Tips and Guidelines for Successfully Involving Families

• Develop a plan for identifying families to participate in PBS activities and/or celebrations. Consider asking your family rep to identify the best way to do this.
• Support staff in developing an understanding of the value of family participation.
• Provide orientation to families about PBS. Consider asking your family rep to identify the best way to do this.
• Provide convenient meeting times and locations for family members.
• Compensate families for their time, expertise and expenses (when appropriate).
• Provide accurate, timely, clear, jargon-free, and appropriate information prior to meetings.
• Provide clear information about the goals of the team, the role of individual members and the roles of family members.
• Match veteran parents with inexperienced family members to ensure that new members feel supported in their roles.
• Balance membership on committees between families and professionals. One family member on a committee may not be enough.
• Ensure diversity among the membership by recruiting broadly from the community.
• During and after meetings, specifically recognize the value of family participation.
• Consider shared leadership - parent and professional co-chairs.

This website is made possible by funding from the Federal Center for Mental Health Services and individual support from families and others across the state of Iowa.