Family Faculty
Family Faculty Programs of Vermont Family Network: Interact with future professionals!
Parent Panel Class Presentations: Parents can participate on panels of three family members presenting their experiences to undergraduate and graduate classes at UVM in Education and Health Sciences (nursing, PT, communications) courses. Each parent speaks for 20 minutes, taking questions at the end. Daytime and evening classes are held on campus. The cost of parking is covered. $50 stipend provided. For more information email Jan Hancock, or call 802-876-5315 ext. 215.
Medical Education Project: The Medical Education Project is a three-part teaching program on family centered care for 3rd year medical students. The purpose is to teach principles of family centered care and to provide a family’s perspective on healthcare. (1) The students meet with a pediatric physician and Family Support Faculty for a session on values and general overview of family-centered care. (2) They visit a family in their home. The family shares information about their family, providing perspectives and insights into what makes for collaborative, coordinated, respectful care for their children. (3) The students have a follow-up session to share thoughts about the home visit and to provide written feedback in a reflection paper.
Students are assigned a family in the MEP program, with whom they schedule a home visit (or at the playground, school, activity) for two hours, at the convenience of the family. The student is asked to call the family early in the six-week pediatric rotation to schedule the meeting, as both family and student are busy. The student is not told any family information, as this is a learning opportunity where families decide what they share about a child’s diagnosis or their family concerns (family life, healthcare, community, school). There is a 3-point question to be returned. A $25 stipend is provided by Vermont Family Network. For more information email Jan Hancock, or call 802-876-5315 ext 215.
Professionalism, Communication, Reflection (PCR) class (formerly Medical Leadership Groups): First Year Medical Students meet in groups of eight with a faculty member and a parent for an introduction to family-centered care. Meeting 4-5:30 early in the fall semester, a brief orientation and follow-up are included. Parents share their family’s experience of having a child with special needs, and their perceptions of healthcare for 45 minutes. Class is located in the UVM Medical Education Building. $50 stipend is provided. For more information email Jan Hancock, or call 802-876-5315 ext 215.
More information for families on PCR Classes from Lee Rosen, Ph.D: “You present your family story with narrative description (with pictures or a powerpoint, if you wish) for 45 minutes (4:15-5:00). The students will have questions that prompt discussion, so allow time for that. So, if you talk for 30 minutes, then have questions and discussion for 15, it all fits! I found the experience affirming and therapeutic personally. The students ask good questions, and are kind, so I hope it will be a rewarding experience for you. The $50 stipend comes through VFN from a grant from theMedicalCollege.I’ll send the room assignment along when I get it. The classrooms are on the second or third floor of the Medical Education Building, across from FAHC front entrance, so you can use the parking garage”
Families as Teachers: Saint Michael’s College graduate students in Special Education take a course in Special Education law. As part of the course the students are matched with families to spend 12 hours together during the spring semester. Families that have children or youth on an IEP or 504 Plan are encouraged to participate and share their stories and experiences around the education system. $50 stipend is provided. For more information email Jan Hancock, or call 802-876-5315 ext 215.
Vermont Interdisciplinary Leadership of Health Professionals (VT-ILEHP): Is a Graduate level UVM educational program, part of the national program called LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities). Trainees and fellows learn from a team of professionals working together to provide community assessments, leadership training and understanding of family centered care. A joint “project” with a family involves about 40 hours during the academic year (Sept to May). Orientation required. Stipend is $500. For more information email Jan Hancock, or call 802-876-5315 ext 215.
