RESPONSIVE FAMILY CENTERED PRACTICES
relevant services responsive to their beliefs, values, customs, languages, and culture. We are committed to
enhancing the quality of children’s and families’ lives by promoting family well-being and participation in typical
life activities. The early childhood special education professional will demonstrate respect for all families, taking
into consideration and acknowledging diverse family structures, culture, language, values, and customs.
Finally, families will be given equal voice in all decision making relative to their children. The following practice
guidelines provide a framework for enhancing children’s and families’ quality of lives.Enhancement of Children’s and Families’ Quality of Lives
1. We shall demonstrate our respect and concern for children, families, colleagues, and others with
whom we work, honoring their beliefs, values, customs, languages, and culture.
2. We shall recognize our responsibility to improve the developmental outcomes of children and to
provide services and supports in a fair and equitable manner to all families and children.
3. We shall recognize and respect the dignity, diversity, and autonomy of the families and children
we serve.
4. We shall advocate for equal access to high quality services and supports for all children and
families to enhance their quality of lives.Responsive Family Centered Practices
1. We shall demonstrate our respect and appreciation for all families’ beliefs, values, customs,
languages, and culture relative to their nurturance and support of their children toward achieving
meaningful and relevant priorities and outcomes families’ desire for themselves and their children.
2. We shall provide services and supports to children and families in a fair and equitable manner
while respecting families’ culture, race, language, socioeconomic status, marital status, and
sexual orientation.
3. We shall respect, value, promote, and encourage the active participation of ALL families by
engaging families in meaningful ways in the assessment and intervention processes.
4. We shall empower families with information and resources so that they are informed consumers
of services for their children.
5. We shall collaborate with families and colleagues in setting meaningful and relevant goals and
priorities throughout the intervention process including the full disclosure of the nature, risk, and
potential outcomes of any interventions.
6. We shall respect families’ rights to choose or refuse early childhood special education or related
services.
7. We shall be responsible for protecting the confidentiality of the children and families we serve by
protecting all forms of verbal, written, and electronic communication.ensure that families receive individualized, meaningful, and
