START Regional Collaborative Network (RCN)

Parent Engagement

One of the START and RCN goals is Family and Community Engagement. This includes involving Michigan Alliance for Families and parents in RCN monthly meetings and activities. The following outlines the roles and considerations for the RCN, MAF, and the parent attending the RCN meetings.

RCN Role and Considerations for Parent and MAF Involvement in RCN Meetings / Parent Role and Considerations for Involvement in RCN Meetings / Michigan Alliance for Families Role and Considerations for Involvement in RCN Meetings
Recruit parents that are actively involved in the community, ASD advocacy organizations, Parent Advisory Committee (PACs), etc. / Attend RCN meetings to get a better understanding of the educational process and ideas to collaborate. / Attend RCN meetings and ask clarifying questions.
Explain START, role of RCN, and provide primary contact to parent and MAF. Also, schedule of meetings and providing a primary / Gain understanding as to how to access appropriate resources and information. / Attend START trainings and conferences and be familiar with START activities and programs that could benefit families across the state.
Provide this overview document and the Glossary of Terms on the START Parent Resource page / Gain understanding as to how to raise expectations and at home and in the community. / RCN serves as a contact about resources and information in schools.
Solicit input from parents and MAF regarding critical issues within the local areas (e.g. behavior supports in schools). / Gain understanding of evidence based practice supports and interventions for ASD. / Learn about RCN priority activities and share training opportunities and information in the local area.
Communicate information about the START Passport, its purpose, and encourage its use to connect home and school goals. / Learn about and utilize the START Passport to connect home and school goals. / Identify new training and communication opportunities for parents based on input from the school.
Communicate information about evidence based supports and interventions for ASD. / Provide feedback on critical issues within the local area. / Become more informed about evidence based practices that ASD supports and intervention.