FAMILY-CENTERED CARE

by

Emma Miller, D.Div.

In the helping professions, there has been a slow, but enlightened shift to a "family-centered" orientation. When organizations embrace family-centered principles and corresponding practices, they find that they are more trustworthy and responsive, and therefore, more successful. When families use such services, the members (including the children), truly benefit by getting what they need. They are more likely to trust the provider and avail themselves of the service. The parent feels valuable as a person, and as the child's primary caregiver. Family-centered care fosters win-win situations.

There are a few underlying assumptions about this approach:

The basis of this approach is communication between parent and professional. The goal is to establish mutual trust and relationship so that a partnership can be formed. Together families and professionals have roles in creating this.

Be interested, become invested, and get involved in the service! Tell the professionals what you desire. And be sure you understand, want or need what you get. Offering your time and resources communicates to professionals that you really care about a quality service. Your family, and many others will benefit in the end.

Inquire about options and educate yourself about them so that you can make informed choices.

You are a consumer. If the service you are using is not meeting your needs, provide that feedback! Work with the professionals toward positive change. If this is not possible, you are free to explore other avenues.

Be proud of your unique capacities! Each member of your family has strengths which contribute to the overall picture of how well your family functions. The "portrait" of your family is different from any other. Sharing personally enriches, as well as touches others.

Know that all families need support at some time and develop a network of people and places to turn to. Don't be afraid to reach out!

While being flexible, know what your bottom lines are in terms of acceptability and finances.

You are the expert on your children and your family. Through their words and behavior, children tell us what they feel and need. So they are the experts on themselves too. Listen to them!

Your family is part of a web connected to other families by various relationships. This web is called community and culture. Professionals are a part of that web too. There may be a variety of services that can help you at any particular time.

Family participation is all aspects of planning and delivery is critical to the success of your service. Ask, via direct contact or questionnaire, for parents' views, needs, concerns, and suggestions. Then incorporate them into what you offer. Families appreciate sensitivity to their particular circumstances and culture.

Offer options, including not using your service, or using the services of other providers. Be willing to share information, answer questions, and point in the direction of resources. Then honor the choices made.

Listen to feedback! Be open to creatively exploring solutions when the service in not working smoothly or a particular family. Every time a family is not satisfied, there is the possibility they will not fully benefit from what you have to offer, decline the use of your services, or tell other families about their perceptions. You have a golden opportunity to improve!

Look for strengths! They are there for every family member and for the family as a whole. Sincere compliments go a long way in promoting empowerment. Discover the wonders of each family by allowing them to share.

When families ask for help, they often feel vulnerable. Respond quickly and without the use of labels. The type and degree of support may vary. Assist families in identifying natural sources of support, and build on their existing social network in their community. Services should be trustworthy, that is, stable and ongoing.

Services, and those providing them, need to be flexible, available, accessible, and affordable.

You are a professional resource to families who are the experts on what they need. You can help them set goals, if they ask for that, or accomplish the goals they define.

By virtue of being available, professionals exist in the same web with families in communities. Linkages are important. Each professional tends to have a special expertise. A high degree of collaboration with the family and other professionals will provide an array of services that is comprehensive and coordinated.

When organizations implement family-centered care, their scope is the child within the context of the entire family, within the context of their community. With this approach, they are more likely to offer family-friendly services and supports.

When parents participate in family-centered care, they have a voice, feel included, and build relationships that often lead to appreciation and loyalty.

Both parties ultimately want the same results; both parties need each other to accomplish it well.

Professionals and parents can consider the following practices:

©1993-2004, Gentle Touch Parent-Child Program, LLC

See this article, printed with permission, in a past issue of MotherTongue

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