Partnerships:Ursula Arceneaux Markey
Abstract
PARtnershipsUrsula Arceneaux Markey SAGE Publications, Inc.2000DOI: 10.1177/109830070000200309 For families who have a member with a disability, there is much to be hopeful about as we move into the next century. At the same time, the necessity to be assertive and clear about our needs will continue to be a priority for families in traditionally underserved communities. I am an African American parent who codirects Pyramid Parent Training, a community parent resource center for families of children with disabilities in New Orleans. (Pyramid is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs.) We are committed to providing the information, training, and support necessary to implement research-based best practices in health and education in the traditionally underserved community of which we are members. To accomplish this, our staff engages in a process that includes educating ourselves about these theories and practices, consulting with experts in the various disciplines, and designing programs and services that factor in the conditions we know to exist in our homes, schools, and neighborhoods. In this way, we have been able to introduce the theories of positive behavioral support to our families through our project, Operation Positive Change. Operation Positive Change is