Problem-Solving Parent Conferences in Schools

While effective parent collaboration is nearly universally identified as critical to educational practice, doing it effectively takes sustained learning and commitment. Additionally, parent collaboration training is often woefully overlooked in educational preparation programs and professional development opportunities. Dennis Simon's latest book is a goldmine of information and practical suggestions on this crucial topic. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. -David Shriberg, Professor of Education and Director of the School Psychology Program at Indiana University Bloomington, USA This book synthesizes decades of research and insights on how educators can-and should-collaborate with families to support students. The text gives clear direction to student support professionals on how to cultivate an effective and collaborative practice. The emphasis on coordinated systems makes this a must-read for case managers and school administrators, as well. -Gregory E. Moy, Assistant Professor of School Psychology at Seattle University, USA Research has long supported that engaging in effective home-school collaboration is critical for students' academic success and healthy social development. Home-school collaboration is also necessary for effective problem solving in addressing the social, emotional, and behavioral problems of youth that often occur in both school and home settings. Simon, a clinical and school psychologist with over three decades of experience working with students experiencing mental health challenges and their families, has written an authoritative and practical guide translating the current evidence-based family and multisystems intervention literature into strategies to engage in effective problem solving to facilitate productive parent and teacher collaboration. Simon's approach to home-school collaboration incorporates a strong ecological perspective to understanding and effectively addressing these mental health challenges of youth exhibited in both school and home settings. Problem-solving Parent Conferences represents an invaluable resource for all mental health professionals including school psychologists, social workers, and counselors at any career stage from preservice trainees to senior professionals who work with youth experiencing behavioral and social-emotional problems and strive to facilitate productive parent conferences with the goal of implementing effective interventions in both home and school settings. -Mark E. Swerdlik, Professor of Psychology and Co-Coordinator of the Graduate Programs in School Psychology at Illinois State University, USA Problem-Solving Parent Conferences is a necessary addition to literature for both those practicing mental health in schools and those training to do so. Dr. Simon carefully lays out research and theory-based approaches that are foundational in family therapy and school psychology and makes them easily accessible for the reader. The wealth of the author's professional experience working with a wide variety of families in the school setting illustrates the book's concepts throughout. This book is useful for both graduate students and seasoned practitioners, as Dr. Simon's cohesive framework for effective parent school collaboration is engaging, instructional, and challenges the reader to integrate therapeutic and scientific strategies to benefit families in the school setting. -Ashley Etzel Ausikaitis, Clinical/School Psychologist and Adjunct Professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo, USA This book is an exceptionally valuable resource for school-based practitioners. The Problem-Solving Parent Conference model provides effective strategies for close collaboration with parents when dealing with challenging emotional, social, and behavioral problems exhibited by students. The ecological orientation of this text recognizes that behavior must be understood in all environmental contexts in order to produce effective integrated interventions. The case examples and strategies included ensure that this book can serve as an essential practical resource for school-based practitioners. -Eva Kowalewicz, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and School Psychologist Administrator at Sunnyvale School District, USA