Frequently Asked Questions:

ARE THERE ANY OBLIGATIONS TO SIGNING UP WITH THE FAMILY NETWORK? Signing up entitles you to a free book and a subscription to our newsletter. Enjoy as many of our free activities as you like.

HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR A CLASS THAT REQUIRES PREREGISTRATION? Call Jen or Jeanne (x288.) If you get our voice mail, please leave your name, phone number, the name and date of the event, and a convenient time to return your call. You will receive a confirmation call.

WHY DO I NEED TO SIGN IN EVERY TIME I VISIT? The Family Network and Family Center are funded by grants from the Massachusetts Department of Education and the Massachusetts Children’s Trust Fund. Both funders require that we track participation. Their continued support depends upon our demonstrating the importance of the Family Network in our community. Signing in helps assure that the Family Network will be part of our community in the future. You may also be occasionally asked to fill out surveys or questionnaires which help us to evaluate current programming and plan for the future. These evaluations are shared with our funders to show the effectiveness of our programming.

IS THERE A CHARGE? All Family Network activities are free of charge. A few activities may have a materials fee. If that fee would prohibit you from attending the event, a waiver is available. Donations to MV Community Services are welcome.

WHO CAN I CALL WITH QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? A listing of the Family Network staff can be found on the staff page of this website.

WHERE IS THE FAMILY CENTER? The Family Center (home base of the Family Network) is located in the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School on the Vineyard Haven-Edgartown Road. Enter the high school property on the left side of the building (as you face the school) directly across from the entrance to MV Community Services. Go straight down Sanderson Road until the semi-circular student drop-off area is seen on your right. (Please do not park on the semi-circle during school hours.) Enter the green gate into the play yard and the red door into the Family Center. Parking is located in the large parking lot immediately to your left as you enter school property.

WHAT ARE THE AREAS OF EXPERTISE OF EACH STAFF MEMBER? The list of Family Network staff page includes their areas of interest.

ARE THERE RULES OR POLICIES I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT? Our policies and guidelines can be found on policy sectio of this page below. For the most part they are simple statements protecting the health and safety of all visitors.

IF I CONFIDE IN A STAFF MEMBER WILL MY PRIVACY BE RESPECTED? Your privacy is a high priority. See our policies and guidelines below for more information. Please remember to respect the privacy of other families in the Network.

IS IT OK TO BRING MY CHILD TO PLAYGROUP WHEN SHE HAS A COLD? The Family Network strives to provide a healthy environment for all families. Each family is responsible for ensuring the good health of the program. Children who seem to feel well and have been without a fever or vomiting for 24 hours are welcome.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED? HOW CAN I HELP? The PAC (Parents Advisory Committee) meets one evening a month with members of the Family Network staff. Parents are welcome to join the PAC or to attend a meeting at any time to share an opinion, question or concern about the program. Parent feedback is used extensively in program planning, design and implementation. All parents are invited and encouraged to become involved which might include:

Participating on the MV Council for Young Children; Providing material including personal stories for the newsletter; Sharing personal and professional expertise; Participating in quality review and assessment; Organizing and facilitating events; Substituting for staff as needed; Volunteering

WHAT DO I DO IF I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE BEHAVIOR OF ANOTHER CHILD OR PARENT AT A FAMILY NETWORK EVENT? If concerned about the behavior of a child who is not your own, please speak to the child’s parent, caregiver, or a staff member unless it is an immediate safety issue. If you have a concern about the behavior of another parent, please speak to a staff member. Staff appreciate feedback and are always available to discuss concerns and problems. Interventions will be based on supporting each of the children and parents involved.

WHAT IF MY FAMILY IS IN CRISIS? WHO CAN I CALL FOR HELP AT NIGHT OR ON WEEKENDS? Family Network staff are prepared to work with families through periods of crisis and to make appropriate referrals to other Island resources. If unable to reach a staff member, emergency numbers are listed on the back cover of this booklet.

ARE ALL FAMILY NETWORK EVENTS WHEEL-CHAIR ACCESSIBLE? All Family Network events are wheelchair accessible and all families are welcome. If you require additional assistance with accessibility (including ASL interpreters), please speak with staff so assistance can be arranged.

QUE EU FACO SE EU NAO FALO INGLES? Todas as familias sao bem-vindas-servicos de traducao podem ser arranjados. Algums materiais em portugues esstao dispooniveis. WHAT DO I DO IF I DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH? All families are welcome. Translation services can be arranged. Some materials are available in Portuguese.

WHAT IF I HAVE A RESTRAINING ORDER OR ANOTHER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE INVOLVING THE SAFETY OF MY CHILD? The health and safety of children and families are our highest priorities. Please
speak with staff about any concerns you may have.

ARE THERE OTHER FAMILY NETWORKS IN MASSACHUSETTS? IN OTHER STATES? As of January 2002, there are 42 Family Networks in Massachusetts which include over 150 communities. Marney (x.283) can provide you with a current list. Our contact person at the Massachusetts Department of Education is Claire Brady, 781-338-6363. There are many Family Support programs in other states. Family Support America is the national family support clearinghouse which is creating a national program list and developing credentialling standards for local programs.
Family Support America
312-338-1522 www.family support america.org

POLICIES

HEALTH & SAFETY: Your cooperation helps us to continue to provide a clean, safe and healthy place for our families to play, learn and grow.

• All members of our community will respect the health, safety and privacy of each other.
• The Family Network strives to provide a healthy environment for all families. Each family is responsible for ensuring the good health of the program. Children who seem to feel well and have been without a fever or vomiting for 24 hours are welcome.
• The Family Center and all other Family Network locations are drug and alcohol free zones.
• All diaper changing will take place at the provided diaper changing stations. Diapers will be discarded in labeled containers at each station.
• Parents, children and staff are encouraged to wash their hands frequently while visiting particularly after diapering.
• Parents and staff will be mindful of the health of the whole group when balancing the needs of individual children and families.
• Staff are present to ensure the health and safety of all visitors.
• Parents are responsible for supervising their children while attending Family Network events.
  
  CONFIDENTIALITY: When information about individual families is requested, specific procedures and protocols are in place to safeguard the confidentiality of participating families. Copies of this procedure are available from staff.
  
  NEW POLICIES: Parents are welcome to bring the need for a new policy to the attention of staff. Proposals will be brought to the PAC for discussion and a vote.