Team-Based Decision-Making Seminars

Who Should Participate

Community teams committed to strengthening their own processes as they work through local systemic issues related to including children with disabilities in early childhood community settings

Elementary school site teams committed to strengthening their own processes as they work through local systemic issues related to developing or enhancing effective inclusive educational practices appropriate to all students

Goals of the Seminars

These seminars are based upon the belief that respectful, responsive relationships are necessary to create and sustain nurturing communities that serve all children, their families, and those who work with them. The seminars utilize a structured, relationship-based, problem-solving framework to help programs, teams, and communities work together to meet the needs of all children and families.

Format of the Seminars

Individualized seminars, designed to meet the individualized needs of the team and the community, are guided by specialized facilitators. Seminar staff also provide support to communities through several other training options tailored to meet individualized needs: Specific content trainings to better serve children with disabilities and other special needs are offered upon request and trained facilitators can assist in areas such as community team building, targeted staff development, management consultation, and follow-up on-site consultation and facilitation.

What You Learn

The seminars provide training in a specific process model. Teams learn problem-solving strategies that will enable them to work together more efficiently and effectively. Teams apply these strategies to issues of concern to them.

Who Facilitates Your Learning

Facilitators trained in relationship-based practices are selected based on the needs of the team and the expertise of the facilitator.

What Resources Support Your Learning

Participants receive the seminar manual and the accompanying video, which includes a relationship-based problem-solving framework for improving staff communication, enhancing child success, and enriching program practices in early childhood settings.

What the Research Says

Research has shown that a mentoring relationship and reflective supervision are very special subsets of learning and staff development. Studies of learning across professional fields and of apprenticeships indicate that workers become more integrated into their work, increase their sense of self, and are more resourceful and effective with their patients/clients when provided with reflective supervision and mentorship opportunities. These seminars incorporate both approaches.

Cost

Training fees are individualized and dependent upon the needs of each local team. A scope of work and cost are determined following the completion of an intake form. A typical three-day seminar of four, sixmember teams averages $600 per participant.

Contact Information

Dona Meinders
916.492.4013
dmeinde@wested.org