Enhancing Meaningful Parent Engagement: Exploring Roles and Perceptions of Parent Representatives on State Interagency Coordinating Councils
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| Title: | Enhancing Meaningful Parent Engagement: Exploring Roles and Perceptions of Parent Representatives on State Interagency Coordinating Councils |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Molly E. Stryker (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Early Intervention. 2025 47(4):458-476. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 19 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Students with Disabilities, Educational Legislation, Federal Legislation, Equal Education, Early Intervention, Parent Participation, Parent Attitudes, Role Perception, State Programs, Parent Child Relationship, Children, Disabilities, Parent Responsibility, Agency Cooperation, Coordination |
| Geographic Terms: | Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington |
| Laws, Policies and Program Identifiers: | Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part C |
| DOI: | 10.1177/10538151241311921 |
| ISSN: | 1053-8151 2154-3992 |
| Abstract: | State Interagency Coordinating Councils (SICCs) play vital roles in decision-making for Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). While parent representatives are required to serve on SICCs, it is unclear how parents participate in the SICC. It is important to understand parent experiences on the SICC given the family-centered nature of early intervention. This study utilized qualitative inquiry to detail the motivations, goals, and expectations of 15 parent participants who served on their state's SICC and examine the link between their initial expectations and their actual roles. Barriers and facilitators to parent engagement are also presented. Findings reveal diverse motivations and expectations. Most parent representatives reported feeling valued, but some perceived their contributions as obligatory. Active solicitation of parent perspectives and leveraging their unique skills enhanced their sense of impact. The study highlights the importance of actively eliciting and valuing parent perspectives within SICCs and intentionally engaging diverse members of each state to strengthen their impact on early intervention policy and promote positive systems change within the Part C system. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1490774 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | State Interagency Coordinating Councils (SICCs) play vital roles in decision-making for Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). While parent representatives are required to serve on SICCs, it is unclear how parents participate in the SICC. It is important to understand parent experiences on the SICC given the family-centered nature of early intervention. This study utilized qualitative inquiry to detail the motivations, goals, and expectations of 15 parent participants who served on their state's SICC and examine the link between their initial expectations and their actual roles. Barriers and facilitators to parent engagement are also presented. Findings reveal diverse motivations and expectations. Most parent representatives reported feeling valued, but some perceived their contributions as obligatory. Active solicitation of parent perspectives and leveraging their unique skills enhanced their sense of impact. The study highlights the importance of actively eliciting and valuing parent perspectives within SICCs and intentionally engaging diverse members of each state to strengthen their impact on early intervention policy and promote positive systems change within the Part C system. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1053-8151 2154-3992 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/10538151241311921 |
