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UW LEND Positive Parent Strategies Project ECHO
A new UW LEND Supplemental Project, funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, is helping families and trainees build skills and community together.
Co-led by Sue Adelman, IHDD Family Faculty, and Dr. Katy Bateman, Research Scientist at the Haring Center for Inclusive Education, the Positive Parent Strategies ECHO Project adapts the ECHO Model, a collaborative learning approach often used in healthcare, to support parents and caregivers of children ages 3 to 12 with suspected or diagnosed developmental disabilities who experience interfering behaviors.
Through this 10-week virtual series, families and trainees participate in “All Teach, All Learn” sessions that combine brief behavioral strategy lessons with real family case discussions. Each 75-minute session includes:
- A 15-minute didactic presentation by the hub team, composed of experienced providers
- A family-led case presentation followed by collaborative problem-solving and discussion
The series focuses on evidence-based strategies to understand, support, and respond to challenging behavior, while also creating a confidential and supportive community space for families to connect with one another.
Families receive stipends for completing pre- and post-series surveys, and computer-based language translation and live Spanish language support help ensure accessibility for all participants.
The project offers the following benefits:
- For families: Practical strategies, confidence, and a sense of community
- For trainees: Real-world experience with family engagement and resource navigation
- For systems and communities: Stronger family stability, increased program utilization, and scalable learning models
Dr. Bateman shared that one of her biggest motivations for the parent ECHOs is to help families feel less alone. “It is so important to me to create a space where families can safely share both wins and challenges with other parents and caregivers navigating similar experiences,” she said.
As a parent, Sue Adelman emphasized that bringing practical, usable skills to families is at the heart of the program. She hopes families will not only gain strategies but also reassurance that they are not alone. She also hopes LEND trainees will deepen their understanding of family life beyond the 30-minute clinical appointment.
Sessions take place on Thursdays from February 26 through April 30, from 12:30 to 1:45 pm. Families can participate from anywhere in the U.S.
View the flyer and learn more about registration.
For questions, contact Sue Adelman at adelms@uw.edu.
