Exploring photo elicitation to engage head start families of children with disabilities

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act mandates that children with disabilities be provided with individualized supports to maximize their overall development and learning. Caregivers of children ages birth to 5 years play an integral role in determining what supports are most beneficial for the child and their family. Research related to family empowerment and capacity-building suggest that families facing multiple risk factors (e.g., presence of a disability, poverty, single parents, and low levels of maternal education) may experience feelings of powerlessness when asked by professionals to make decisions on behalf of their families. The purpose of this study was to identify effective ways to engage families experiencing multiple risk factors including caring for young children with disabilities, to work collaboratively with Head Start professionals when planning and implementing family-centered interventions. Specifically, collaborations between families and Head Start Family Service Workers and the potential utility for a particular strategy, “photo elicitation,” to empower families to share their personal stories as a pathway to building meaningful relationships was examined. A qualitative approach via thematic analysis was utilized. Findings from this study begin to address the need for identifying innovative strategies for building family capacity with Head Start families, specifically those caring for young children with disabilities.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Special Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2018

Author dc:creator

• Hile, Kimberly Ann

Contributors dc:contributor

• Santos, Rosa Milagros
• Burke, Meghan
• Hughes, Mary-alayne
• Ostrosky, Michaelene
• Quesenberry, Amanda

• family engagement, family-centered practices, Head Start/Early Head Start, disabilities, photo elicitation

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2018 Kimberly Hile

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/101531

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/101531