Effective family-school collaboration has consistently been shown to enhance child and family outcomes. Caregivers know their children best and are well-equipped to serve as equal members of school teams that support their children and communities. Additionally, federal law and professional ethics necessitate the full participation of families in many school-based processes. Unfortunately, many school-based providers struggle to meaningfully collaborate with families due to competing demands and a lack of understanding around best practices in family engagement and legal requirements. Family advocates provide necessary support to families as they navigate complex school and community resources and can support schools in effective collaboration. In this webinar, participants will learn about effective family-school partnership practices, which will include an outline of procedures that necessitate caregiver involvement, specific family engagement strategies, and community resources for families and professionals.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
CERTIFICATES:
Registrants who fully attend this webinar will receive a certificate of attendance. Certificates are disseminated via email to all qualifying individuals approximately two weeks after the conclusion of the event or training.
PRESENTERS:
Miranda Zahn, PhD, NCSP, is an Assistant Professor of School Psychology at the University of South Dakota. She conducts research, training, and technical assistance in school-based mental health services. Specifically, Miranda focuses on social justice and the role of teachers in school supports for youth mental health. In addition, Miranda is a school psychologist and school mental health provider at Nebraska’s Educational Service Unit #1, where she provides direct services to youth as well as training and systems consultation to schools.
Lisa Sanderson has served as Project Director for the statewide Family to Family Health Information Center at South Dakota Parent Connection since 2008, also home to the state’s OSEP funded Parent Training and Information Center. She has worked with systems and families across South Dakota for over 25 years, serves as USD Faculty for the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Program, and is the CDC's Act Early Ambassador to South Dakota (2018-2024). Lisa has a Bachelor of Science degree, maintains licensure by the SD Board of Social Work Examiners, and was a certified educator for many years. Lisa is a parent and grandparent of children with exceptional needs.
The Great Lakes MHTTC is offering this training for individuals working in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI. This training is being provided in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.
