Parent Leader Program

WI FACETS’ Mission: To provide and broaden opportunities that enhance the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities with emphasis on support for underserved parents/families in the community.

WI FACETS

How do I learn more about becoming a Parent Leader?

If you have a desire to share your experience and support others, or if you simply want to share information with your community, contact:

WI FACETS600 W. Virginia Street. Ste. 501Milwaukee, WI 53204(877)374-0511www.wifacets.org/parents-leaders.php

WI FACETS

WI FACETS’ Parent Leader Program

What is the WI FACETS’ Parent Leader Program?

WI FACETS’ Parent Leader Program works to develop leadership skills among parents, professionals, and others who support children with disabilities, with respect to WI FACETS core values. Leadership skills for Parent Lead-ers (PLs) are taught in a variety of ways and always with respect to adult learning styles, including: traditional workshops, webinars, experiential learning, coaching/mentoring, and independent study.

Training topics for PLs might include: •IEP:ProcessandProduct •DisputeResolutionOptionsin

Special Education •CommunicationSkills •AdvocacySkills

All PLs complete annual training on the Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL).

What do PLs do?

Parent Leaders serve many roles throughout Wisconsin, from hosting resource tables at community events, starting a support group, providing WI FACETS’ training and work-shops to others in their community, providing individual support for parents, and serving on local and/or statewide advisory boards. All of these roles are a vital support for families with children with disabilities and the communities in which they live.

How much does the PL training cost?

Nothing! There is no registration fee to be trained as a Parent Leader. WI FACETS is able to reimburse hotel and mileage costs for training once PL volunteer requirements are met (required training completed, 3 volunteer activities).

How much time is required?PLs must complete required training (12 hours initialOrientationtraining;and6hoursannualtraining, including UPL) . In addition, PLs must volunteer for 3 events (trainings, exhibits, individ-ual supports, etc.) a year to stay active. Some PLs have more time to give than others. The amount of time that you commit to being a PL is up to you.

How do I become a PL?

To be considered for our Parent Leader Pro-gram, one must complete an application, criminal background check, and participate inaninterview.Oncetheserequirementshavebeen met, WI FACETS staff may extend an invitation to continue the training program to become a WI FACETS Parent Leader.

Does the support of WI FACETS staff stop at the end of the Parent Leader Training?

Not at all! WI FACETS staff is dedicated to pro-viding support to our Parent Leaders in a variety ofways;including,whenourPLsneedsupportwith their own family’s needs. PLs will receive regular communication from WI FACETS to build their knowledge and skills through phone, mail, email, and inperson contact. The primary task of the Parent Leadership Specialist is to support the PLs in the valuable assistance they provide to their communities.

WI FACETS was founded in1995 on a set of core values:

EMPOWERMENT,RESPECT,

COLLABORATION,ACCOUTABILITY,and SENSITIVITY.