Other Resources

Fabric not Fringe

Weaving Family Involvement throughout Training and Practice for Professionals and Advocates Working with Individuals with Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs

This white paper, published by AUCD with input from MMI assistant professor and UCEDD Training Program Director, Mark Smith, MS, approaches family involvement from the perspective of the family discipline itself, and the ongoing paradigm shift in family-centered care—from fringe to fabric.

“Family-centered service is made up of a set of values, attitudes, and approaches to services
for children with special needs and their families. Family-centered service recognizes that each
family is unique; that the family is the constant in the child’s life; and that they are the experts
on the child’s abilities and needs. The family works together with service providers to make
informed decisions about the services and supports the child and family receive. In family-centered service, the strengths and needs of all family members are considered.” (p.79).