Problem-Solving Parent Conferences in Schools: Ecological-Behavioral Perspectives(Consultation, Supervision, and Professional Learning in School Psychology Series)

Problem-Solving Parent Conferences in Schools presents a Problem-solving Parent Conference (PPC) model that integrates and applies empirically-supported systemic and behavioral intervention strategies to coordinated home-school interventions for student behavioral and social-emotional concerns. Though today’s schools seek to further understand student behaviors from ecological and systemic perspectives, there are limited resources available on how to effectively collaborate with families—a key social-environmental context. This unique book engages parents and teachers in a five-stage protocol towards more effective student support. These evidence-based, change-oriented approaches will be essential for graduate students in school psychology, school social work, and school counseling programs; in teacher preparation; and in any related course focused on parents and families in school settings. Its resources are also critical for mental health practitioners who work with children, adolescents, families, and schools.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgements 1. Family-School Partnerships as Educational Cornerstones 2. Effective Home-School Collaboration for Behavioral Problem-solving 3. The Ecological Perspective and Need for Multisystem Interventions 4. Family and Multisystem Intervention Strategies 5. Introduction to the Problem-solving Parent Conference Approach: Integrating Systemic and Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions 6. Problem-solving Parent Conferences: Stage 1 – Tone and Goal Setting 7. Problem-solving Parent-School Conferences: Stage 2 – Problem Assessment and Definition 8. Problem-solving Parent Conferences: Stage 3 – Collaborative Problem-solving 9. Problem-solving Parent Conferences: Stage 4 – Action Planning with Behavior Contracting 10. Problem-solving Parent Conferences: Stage 5 – Follow-up Consultation and Implementation Monitoring 11. Teacher and Parent Skills: PPC Principles and Processes Applied to IEP Conferences and other Parent-Educator Meetings 12. Epilogue: Integrating Individual and Systemic Interventions in Schools References Index

About the Author :
Dennis J. Simon, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical and school psychologist with over three decades of experience within elementary and secondary schools. For 14 years, he was Director of NSSEO Timber Ridge Therapeutic Day School, a zero-reject public program serving the Chicago area. His career has centered on program development and psychological interventions for children and adolescents experiencing social, emotional, and behavioral disorders. His work has focused on the adaptation of evidence-based strategies to school-centered interventions. He is co-author of the Developmental, Ecological, Problem-solving clinical supervision model that supports training in evidence-based intervention practices. He has been Lecturer in School Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Teacher Education Programs at Loyola University of Chicago, USA.

Review :
"While effective parent collaboration is nearly universally identified as critical to educational practice, doing it effectively takes sustained learning and commitment. Additionally, parent collaboration training is often woefully overlooked in educational preparation programs and professional development opportunities. Dennis Simon's latest book is a goldmine of information and practical suggestions on this crucial topic. I cannot recommend this book highly enough." —David Shriberg, Professor of Education and Director of the School Psychology Program at Indiana University Bloomington, USA "This book synthesizes decades of research and insights on how educators can—and should—collaborate with families to support students. The text gives clear direction to student support professionals on how to cultivate an effective and collaborative practice. The emphasis on coordinated systems makes this a must-read for case managers and school administrators, as well." —Gregory E. Moy, Assistant Professor of School Psychology at Seattle University, USA "Research has long supported that engaging in effective home-school collaboration is critical for students’ academic success and healthy social development. Home-school collaboration is also necessary for effective problem solving in addressing the social, emotional, and behavioral problems of youth that often occur in both school and home settings. Simon, a clinical and school psychologist with over three decades of experience working with students experiencing mental health challenges and their families, has written an authoritative and practical guide translating the current evidence-based family and multisystems intervention literature into strategies to engage in effective problem solving to facilitate productive parent and teacher collaboration. Simon’s approach to home-school collaboration incorporates a strong ecological perspective to understanding and effectively addressing these mental health challenges of youth exhibited in both school and home settings. Problem-solving Parent Conferences represents an invaluable resource for all mental health professionals including school psychologists, social workers, and counselors at any career stage from preservice trainees to senior professionals who work with youth experiencing behavioral and social-emotional problems and strive to facilitate productive parent conferences with the goal of implementing effective interventions in both home and school settings." —Mark E. Swerdlik, Professor of Psychology and Co-Coordinator of the Graduate Programs in School Psychology at Illinois State University, USA "Problem-Solving Parent Conferences is a necessary addition to literature for both those practicing mental health in schools and those training to do so. Dr. Simon carefully lays out research and theory-based approaches that are foundational in family therapy and school psychology and makes them easily accessible for the reader. The wealth of the author’s professional experience working with a wide variety of families in the school setting illustrates the book’s concepts throughout. This book is useful for both graduate students and seasoned practitioners, as Dr. Simon’s cohesive framework for effective parent school collaboration is engaging, instructional, and challenges the reader to integrate therapeutic and scientific strategies to benefit families in the school setting." —Ashley Etzel Ausikaitis, Clinical/School Psychologist and Adjunct Professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo, USA "This book is an exceptionally valuable resource for school-based practitioners. The Problem-Solving Parent Conference model provides effective strategies for close collaboration with parents when dealing with challenging emotional, social, and behavioral problems exhibited by students. The ecological orientation of this text recognizes that behavior must be understood in all environmental contexts in order to produce effective integrated interventions. The case examples and strategies included ensure that this book can serve as an essential practical resource for school-based practitioners." —Eva Kowalewicz, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and School Psychologist Administrator at Sunnyvale School District, USA