Maternal and Child Health Bureau
Division of Services for Children with Special Health Needs

DEFINITON OF FAMILY-CENTERED CARE

Family-centered care assures the health and well-being of children and their families through a respectful family-professional partnership. It honors the strengths, cultures, traditions and expertise that everyone brings to this relationship. Family-centered care is the standard of practice, which results in high quality services.

PRINCIPLES OF FAMILY-CENTERED CARE FOR CHILDREN

The foundation of family-centered care is the partnership between families and professionals. Key to this
partnership are the following principles:

Families and professionals work together in the best interest of the child and the family. As a child
grows, s/he assumes a partnership role.

Everyone respects the skills and expertise brought to the relationship. Trust is acknowledged as a fundamental.

Communication and sharing are open and objective.

There is a willingness to negotiate.

Based on this partnership, family-centered care:

     1. Acknowledges the family as the constant in a child's life.

     2. Builds on family strengths.

     3. Supports the child in learning about and participating in his/her care and decision-making.

     4. Honors cultural diversity and family traditions.

     5. Recognizes the importance of community-based services.

     6. Promotes an individual and developmental approach.

     7. Encourages family-to-family and peer support.

     8. Supports youth as they transition to adulthood.

     9. Develops policies, practices, and systems that are family-friendly and family-centered in all          settings.

     10. Celebrate successes.

Sources: National Center for Family-Centered Care. Family- Centered Care for Children with Special Health Care Needs (1989). Bethesda, MD: Association for the Care of Children's Health.

Bishop, Woll and Arango (1993). Family/Professional Collaboration for Children with Special Health Care Needs and their Families. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont, Department of Social Work.

Family- Centered Care Projects 1 and 2 (2002-2004). Bishop, Woll, and Arango. Algodones, NM; Algodones Associates