The Family Consultant Training Model. Final Report

The Family Consultant Model (FCT) was designed to provide training to personnel serving infants and young children with disabilities and their families. This was accomplished through the replication of the FCT Model within local programs presently serving infants, toddlers and their families. Training in the FCT model was provided to administrators, early intervention specialists, paraeducators, early Head Start professionals, Healthy Start home visitors, health nurses, and case managers serving or planning to serve infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. The model used a module training design paired with a corresponding pre-training assessment tool (the Rating Scale of Early Intervention Practices) allowing for effective delivery of individualized training. Successful implementation of practices by 90 participants resulted in more family-focused services for 1,200 young children and their families. The training of trainers was an integral part of the project design and allowed for cost effective dissemination of the model and a mechanism to ensure extended training beyond the life of the grant. The 22 trainers involved have completed formal second generation training for 90 participants and informal training for many more. This final report describes the project and its accomplishments and includes the following seven appendices: (1) Project Dissemination Materials and Activities; (2) Participant Training Materials--Sample; (3) Assessment Tool; (4) Summary of Participant Training Data and Feedback; (5) Summary of Follow-Up Data for Sites Trained; (6) Trainer Training Materials--Sample; and (7) Summary of Trainer Training Data and Feedback. (SG)