How can we further improve the parents' involvement in their child's (w/ special needs) education program?

Question

we do a monthly parent-support group meetings with varied activities, we give at least a weekly feedback on their child's progress, we have an open communication, we educate the parents and their caregivers on how to manage behaviors, we made this clear in our school policies w/their signatures attached, but still only a handful of parents do a true follow-up (the caregivers can attest to that because they always complain to us).

Answer 1

Your school seems to be doing a lot of things right.  Two important principles to remember: 1) If you do all the work in a relationship, the other party may be satisfied with that, 2) Making opportunities available is not the same as making personal communication happen.  

On the  first principle, ask parents to be EQUAL partners in every endeavor.  Think of ways to stress this point in each activity.  Try to put mechanisms in place that adjust school involvement to match parent involvement.  Implement incentives for parents who are the most supportive.

On the second principle, do more than just publish all your wonderful programs to parents at large.  Instead, have staff contact individual parents.  Your chance for individual response is roughly the difference between 10% and 80%.  Of course, with close friends and family members, it may be closer to 90%.

These principles and practices should increase your support significantly.  Just keep in mind, even the most loving, dedicated, and well-intentioned parents are very busy with other things besides school support.  Give them incentives to readjust their priorities and think of themselves as an essential part of a vital team.

Also, parents of children with special needs need to feel respected, valued, and validated.  Speak respectfully to them. Take the time to listen to them.  Allow them to express their emotions and create a positive emotional bond.  At the same time, maintain a professional relationship by repeatedly referring back to the interest of their children as your common focus.  

Answer 2

Parents of children with Disabilities need to feel that they are an equal partner with the school and that the parents and school are an united team working together for the educational success of the child.

***If it is all possible, IF the child is old enough and IS capable enough, the child should be allowed to participate in ALL IEP meetings when the parents and school staff meet together for IEP meetings.***    

Answer 3

Is supervision provided for the children? I wouldn't want to attend if there was no care for my son, as I wouldn't be able to focus. He is not high functioning. My husband will watch him, but it extremely difficult to find anyone else.  This is critical if you have single parents or if you would like both parents to attend without their children.

Answer 4

Ask them what they need - or just give them time to talk to each other - you have good ideas but you need to have good relationships before those good ideas can be absorbed.

IF you make it a social activity you may get some of the non - attenders