Research on motivational interviewing and solution-focused case management  has shown that when youth and their families receiving services are viewed as partners,  their level of engagement increases. 

Respecting family diversity and values is a central tenet of family-centered principles. 

Family members are able to provide information and stories about the youth’s strengths and challenges over time and in a variety of contexts. In order to maintain family stability, parents have often utilized a variety of approaches to deal with any functional implications of the youth’s disability. These past attempts to address problems and concerns can be a powerful source of information for you regarding potential future interventions. 

Each member of the family brings a unique contribution to the planning table.  Part of effective engagement is identifying what those unique contributors are and leveraging them to the benefit of the youth. 

Regardless of their immigration status, children who move to the U.S. from other countries have the right to a free public K-12 education. Schools are prohibited from requiring proof of citizenship or legal residence in order to enroll a child in school or provide services. In addition, the McKinney-Vento Act requires school districts to allow homeless children to enroll in public schools when they are unable to provide proof of residence or guardianship status.  Some non-application Pre-ETS youth may fit into this category.  Immigration status and status of family members inevitably play into the vocational rehabilitation and engagement process and it is essential you understand these statuses. 

Some youth may be determined by a judge to be incompetent in making decisions or unable to provide consent.. Guardianship is a legal process, governed by individual state law, by which the court appoints someone (a guardian) the power to make decisions over another (a ward or respondent).