Family Engagement & Leadership

Learn about leadership opportunities to help support the health and wellbeing of infants and toddlers in Early Intervention.

The Family and Community Engagement Unit, within the Early Intervention Division, supports family engagement and leadership development opportunities. We provide an array of resources, reference materials, webinars, and technical assistance to support EI providers and families.

Research shows that engaging with families and providing opportunities to build upon their knowledge and skills can help with their children’s development as well as support families to take on decision-making roles to improve policies and create lasting system level change. The Family and Community Engagement is committed to improving outcomes for families and children enrolled in Massachusetts Early Intervention.

Family Leadership Opportunities

Parent Contacts

Parent Contacts are volunteers whose infant or toddler is currently enrolled in an Early Intervention program. The Early Intervention Division hosts a parent leadership orientation for parents to become Parent Contacts. This orientation provides a foundation for building leadership skills, best practices for partnering to create long-lasting, positive systems change, and learn about the landscape of community resources available to support families.

In addition, Parent Contacts partner directly with providers to learn about the program offerings and to share information about workshops, and community resources with all families currently enrolled in Early Intervention. If you are interested in taking on this volunteer leadership role, please contact your Early Intervention program.

Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC)

Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that each state establish a state Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) to support implementation of the Part C program. Membership of the ICC is specified in statute and regulations. Parents and providers are brought together through the ICC to improve services for Massachusetts infants and toddlers and their families. Families with experience receiving early intervention services work together with providers to support program planning and interagency coordination to ensure the early intervention system is effective for all eligible infants and toddlers.