Building Parent-Professional Partnerships

Systems: Blueprint for How They Work

A system typically:

• Has its own way of doing business
• Is designed for the group rather than the individual
• Is expected to use the most expedient, inexpensive way to achieve goals
• Is not always rational or predictable from a user’s perspective.
• Seeks simple solutions to complex problems
• Is not error proof

When public funds are used, there must always be a structured way for the money to be spent. Many people call this structure the “system”. A system is simply a set of rules to assure fairness and accountability for the use of public funds. It would be impossible to have a different set of rules for each person receiving public funds. Therefore, the system settles on rules that allow for individualization.

Decisions about how to spend public money are made by people. To protect individuals and families from the “system’s” errors, procedural safeguards exist that permit families to question decisions. The following links are agencies that can clarify questions about procedures and safeguards:

Disability and Senior Services State of Alaska
www.hss.state.ak.us/dsds/dd/service.htm

PARENTS INC.:
www.parentsinc.org/

Alaska Special Education homepage:
www.eed.state.ak.us/tls/sped/

What makes up Alaska’s disabilities service systems?

• Laws and regulations (state and federal) detail what services are to be provided and how they are to be administered
• State administrative and programs e.g. EED Department of Education, Early Development and Special Education, The Division of Senior and Disability Services (administered under the Department of Health and Social Services)
• School districts and community service providers

In Alaska, the developmental disabilities service system strives to create wrap around services for the individual. A set of “Service Principles” was developed to guide providers in the delivery of services to each person. Alaska’s providers have a strong commitment to honor these Principles. However, as agencies are smaller systems themselves, they have the same need to be as efficient as possible to stay in business. This means, simply, if the family desires services to be delivered in a specific way, families must be primary partners in making sure this happens.

Features That Characterize Systems

Mission – Goals that the system aspires to accomplish

Duties – What the system is required to provide

Structure – Nuts and bolts

Authorities – Persons making the final decisions

Process – What are the hoops to jump through and who is there to help

Rules – The written policy

Needs – Family and Individual requirements

Accountability – A way to guarantee that the system is working correctly

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