Understanding the Cultural Characteristics of American Indian Families: Effective Partnerships under the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)

Public Law 99–457 provides the opportunity to reshape and redirect early intervention services to infants and toddlers and their families. Effective partnerships developed under the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) between families and early intervention professionals require trust, sharing and cooperation. Because a majority of American Indians receive services in rural settings, it is essential that rural early intervention professionals understand the cultural characteristics of American Indian families. Only through such understanding can the effective partnerships that are necessary to assure positive outcomes for American Indian early intervention constituents be developed. This understanding will also serve to eliminate long standing assumptions that American Indian children are deficient in their preparation for school and that their families have given them a bad start in life. Instead, it will foster a more positive view of these children and their families. While recognizing that there may be gaps in the experience of American Indian children and families, respect for their cultural background will allow professionals to build on the experience base of children and families.