Families and Schools Together: Designing a Model for University-Community Partnerships to Support Home-School Collaborations

• Published in: California school psychologist Vol. 26; no. 3; pp. 422 - 434
• Main Authors: Griffiths, Amy Jane, Alsip, James, Kennedy, Kelly, Diamond, Elena L., Palma, Cora, Abdou, Annmary S., Wiegand, Rachel, Brady, John
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer New York 01.09.2022; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Academic Achievement; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Child and School Psychology; Cognitive Development; Collaboration; College Faculty; Educational Psychology; Family Programs; Family School Relationship; Graduate Students; Intervention; Learning; Medical Services; Outcomes of Education; Parent Participation; Partnerships in Education; Preservice Teachers; Psychology; School Community Relationship; School Districts; School Psychology; Students; Students with Disabilities; Teacher Educators; Teachers; Teaching Methods; University-community partnerships; Parent collaboration; Community partnerships; Consultation; Family-school relationship
• ISSN: 2159-2020; 2161-1505
• DOI: 10.1007/s40688-021-00358-5

Collaboration between school staff, families, and community partners is vital for ensuring all students’ success, particularly those with disabilities. In this case study, we will discuss a community-university partnership involving a university school psychology graduate program, several local school districts, and a specialized medical facility for children with autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders. These partners came together to create the Families and Schools Partnership Program (FSPP). Facilitated by School Psychology faculty and graduate students, FSPP offers support to families and schools through a cohesive multidisciplinary approach to intervention. In this study, we examined the experiences of 700 families referred to the FSPP consultation team and evaluated the reasons for referral, levels of intervention required by each family, and case outcomes. As a result, we offer a series of steps and tips for developing collaborative interagency relationships, an outline of the consultation framework and processes developed, and lessons learned throughout implementation.