Tennessee Infant Parent Services
Parent Advisor E-Newsletter

July, 2004

Volume 1, Number 3

Tennessee Infant Parent Services School
115 Stewarts Ferry Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
(615) 741-5002

In This Issue:

·        Library News

·        What Do I Do When…

·        Peer Support Meeting Schedule

·        Website Review

·        Did You Know?

Library News

I recently completed a "shelf by shelf" inventory of all of the books in our TIPS Library and was distressed to find that we are missing many books! These are books that were never checked out and, therefore, there is no record of who may have them.  Please check your cars, your personal collections, and your TIPS bag for any books that may belong to the Library and return them.  Also, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE when you want to take any items, take the time to write your name on the check-out cards and leave them in the check-out card box so that I can keep track of them.  In that spirit, I'd like to remind you of our TIPS Library Policy that went into effect March 15, 2004:

TIPS Library Policy

1. Items may be checked out for 1 month. You may renew for one additional month if there is nobody waiting for the item, up to 6 months, by calling the TIPS Librarian.  If a family NEEDS an item for longer, consider a "Family Assistance Request" for FOT to purchase one for the family.

 

2. After 6 months the item MUST be returned or replaced. The PA will replace the item either from their personal library or will pay for the item themselves. The replacement cost of specific items will be assessed by the TIPS Librarian and Regional Lead Teachers.

 

3. If the item is broken or lost due to the family's negligence, FOT will replace with funds on hand if they are available.  You will not be responsible.

 

We all need to help in preserving the Library. New books and toys are checked out and never returned.  This hurts EVERYONE.  Please do not check items out and forget to return them.

 

How Can I Keep Up With Which Family Has A Toy?

1. When checking an item out for a family, write your name and the family's name on the checkout card.

 

2. Make a note on your appointment calendar of the date you gave the family the toy, count 25 days ahead and write a note to pick up the toy then. If you decide another family you visit would enjoy this same item, write it on you appointment calendar following the same procedure. Be certain to call the TIPS Librarian at the TIPS Office and tell her you need to check the item out again.

 

It is YOUR responsibility to keep track of which families have TIPS items.

Ask at each home visit if the item is still being used.  If not, collect it and return it to the Library.

 

We have a great little collection, and it requires all of our diligence in
keeping it that way.  Please contact me if you have any suggestions or if I
can help you in any way.  Thank you.

Peer Support
Group Meetings

First Monday of the month:

12 - 1:30 p.m. call Vicki DeSalvatore / Ingrid Bettis

First Tuesday of the month:

5:00 - 6:30 p.m. call Korree Kennington / Caroline Logsdon

First Thursday of the month:

 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. call Donna Gerstner or Tracy Duncan

Last Friday of the month:

4:30 - 6:00 p.m. call Anita Henderson / Tracy Duncan

My TIPS Child Is Close To Transition?

By Sue Brewer

One of the most difficult times for us as parent advisors is when it comes time to say goodbye to our TIPS children and families.  This can also be a time of happiness and joy.  It is a time to celebrate how far we have come together, the bonds that have been formed, and the tremendous gains the child has made.  Even the tiniest gains can be a reason for celebration.  Transition can also be a very difficult and daunting time for the families of children with special needs.  Moving from a family friendly system of Early Intervention to the more school focused mindset of the LEA is often confusing and scary.  As Parent Advisors, we are in the perfect position to provide help, support, information and encouragement.. Here are a some ideas found in your TIPS Manual to ease the transition process  Always remember that we can help make the difference between a smooth and happy transition and one that causes bad feelings and regrets.. 

Ways We as PA’s Can Help:

1. Use the transition materials in the TIPS Manual to help prepare the family and keep you on track.
2. Inform families about the transition time line several times before the transition clock begins to tick at age.
3. Prepare the family for the paperwork ahead by encouraging them to get and keep copies of all reports and forms in a specific place.  Their TIPS notebook is ideal for this.
4. Be sure TEIS writes transition into the IFSP at age 2, and that you are prepared with transition goals.
5. Encourage families to attend a STEP training.  Help them locate one close to their home.
6. Help families prepare to list their child’s strengths and their concerns for their child’s education.

Ideas to Help Prepare Parents and Children for Transition:

(These are all activities with which we can assist parents.)

1. Take pictures of the new school or setting and create a picture book to share with the child before the transition happens.
2. Meet the teacher, other children and the families of the children in the program ahead of time, if possible.
3. Delay the entry into the school system if necessary to insure that the placement is a good match and that everyone is ready for the transition.
4. Arrive at the class early to allow time for the child to become acclimated.
5. Create an “All About Me” book.  This really helps empower the family and let them feel as though their child is “represented” at the transition meetings.
6. Help the family research other options if the child is not eligible for services from the LEA.
7. Be sure the family lets TIPS know when the IEP meeting will take place.  The LEA will not notify us, and often TEIS is out of the picture at this time.
8. Educate the family about the IEP process.  If you are unsure, consult a TIPS Parent Advisor who also works in Special Education in an LEA.
9. Remind parents of their rights.  Consult the TIPS manual for ideas if the parents aren’t satisfied with the IEP process.

by Ernie Simms, parent advisor

Did you know it only takes 5 minutes to call a TIPS family the night before a visit to ensure everything is ok?  Did you know it only takes 5 minutes to write a note to a family to encourage them and thank them for "keeping on?"  Did you know it only takes 5 minutes to call your RLT and summarize your week or give a critical update about a family?

Did you know it only takes 5 minutes to call a TIPS peer or a resource person and let them know about the good job you heard they did with a family?  Did you know it only takes five minutes to make a daily "To-do" list each morning and only 5 minutes to check it off at night so you can be sure you fulfilled it? 

Did you know it only takes 10 minutes to skim the latest professional journal and tear out any articles you want to read later?  Did you know it only takes 10 minutes to read the latest TIPS Parent Advisor and save anything you want to take action on?  Did you know it only takes 10 minutes to put the developmental assessment summary on the computer rather than write it out? 

Did you know it takes a good deal more than 5 or 10 minutes to reapply for a part-time UT employee position?  The best to you in finding some time savers this week.  You are making a difference!

NGA Center for Best Practices

http://www.nga.org/center/topics/1,1188,D_1480,00.html

The Carnegie Corporation of New York is funding the NGA Center for Best Practices to help states build more comprehensive systems of early care and education by helping them evaluate and monitor the progress of statewide early childhood initiatives. NGA has convened a peer-learning network of program evaluators and state policymakers and is developing a guidebook that captures the work of this network for other states to learn from its conclusions. Chapin Hall, Child Trends, and The Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill are partners on this project.

The NGA Center is currently engaged in the following projects and initiatives:  Governors Forum on Quality Preschool, NGA Task Force on School Readiness, State Early Childhood Policy Leadership Forum, Building Public and Political Will for Early Childhood Care and Education, Evaluating Statewide Early Childhood Initiative

If you have any comments or questions, please send them  to Annette Jennings at jaajennings@comcast.net