About Families First

Families First is a free empowerment training on the basics of early intervention in the Philadelphia school system.

All families receiving early intervention services in Philadelphia are welcome.

Families First was developed and is taught by parents of children in Early Intervention, in partnership with nationally recognized professionals.

Recent Session

Social Connections and Support Systems 
April 29, 2025

Session Description

Social connections play a vital role in the overall well-being, influencing mental, emotional, and even physical health. Strong relationships provide a foundation of support, whereas weak social ties may contribute to feelings of isolation.

Some of the key areas of importance around social connections are: 

• Social Fitness
• Types of Social Support
• Assessing Strong vs. Weak Supports in Your Life
• The Seven Keystones of Support
• Strategies on How to Improve Social Supports

Building and nurturing meaningful relationships helps foster resilience, happiness, and a stronger sense of community.

Presenter Bio

Icylee L Basketbill facilitates workshops, parent support groups and parent trainings to discuss various topics such as Sexual & Reproductive Health, Toilet Training Tips for Children on the Autism Spectrum, Challenging Behaviors, and Self-Care. Her mission is to help educate parents/caregivers, and those in the community caring for or supporting loved ones with disabilities, by increasing their sexual and reproductive health awareness and safety.

Recorded Families First Sessions

Watch recordings of our in-depth Families First webinars. Submit a brief form to access videos.

Empowering Families: Connecting with Parent to Parent of PA for Support Across Your Child’s Journey

Sarah Holland, Director of Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania and Family Engagement Initiatives, explores the evidence and research behind Peer-to-Peer Support and discusses how Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania can help connect families of children with developmental delays, disabilities, and health care needs. Discover how these valuable resources can support you and your child throughout their educational journey. Recorded February 2025.
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Communication Tips for the Holidays

A fun, interactive presentation that will help families learn how to navigate communication challenges and facilitate communication development for children between ages 0-5 during the holiday season. At the end of this presentation the audience will identify strategies to increase communication opportunities and community resources that may help facilitate communication development. Recorded December 2024. 

Presented by: Meng McLendon, MS, CCC-SLP Speech-Language Pathologist, TechOWL at the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University.
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Through the Looking Glass: Conversations on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

This training was presented in two parts. The one-hour pre-recorded session is available on this website. Part two was not recorded.

Networks for Training and Development discussed ways to engage and speak with children about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Subject areas: Looking Inward — exploring unconscious bias, diversity, and social identities; Looking Outward — exploring empathy, compassion, and listening; and Moving Beyond the Conversation — exploring microaggressions, and self-care. Presenters: Shauna Roman, Executive Director of Networks for Training and Development, Inc., and Jessica Stover, Director of Training and Consultation at Networks for Training and Development, Inc. Presented December 2024.
Watch Through the Looking Glass, Part 1.

Grief and Loss for Young Families Impacted by Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Presenter Chou Hallegra, Project Manager at Vision for Equality, discusses ways that grief and loss impact caregivers of young children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and how we can nurture ourselves as we navigate such challenging emotions. Recorded November 2024.
Request access to Grief and Loss for Young Families

What My Son with Autism Taught Me about Life

Presenter Jamiel Owens, Family Relations Coordinator for the Center for Autism Research at CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) shared experiences as the father of a teenager with autism and discussed his journey with Early Intervention and resources in Philadelphia. Recorded June 2024.
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Momma Chronicles Too

"To provide support to each mother and child that we serve as well as the communities that we surround. Our ultimate goal is to shed the stigma that society has placed upon disabled parents and children."

Presenters: Latoya Maddox and Domonique Howell. Latoya Maddox is a mother with disabilities. Currently studying for her master's in public administration at Penn State World Campus, she received her BSW from West Chester University. Latoya is the Senior Independent Living Specialist at Liberty Resources Inc. for Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties. Domonique Howell is a mother, has cerebral palsy, is a full-time wheelchair user, and a disability advocate. She works as an independent living specialist for Liberty Resources Inc., a center for independent living in Philadelphia. Domonique is also the developer and founder of Momma Chronicles Too (founded in 2014), a support and advocacy group for mothers with disabilities and women guardians who have disabled children. Recorded May 2024.
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Transition to Kindergarten Panel Discussion Webinar

For parents of children in Philadelphia starting kindergarten in September. Learn vital information about the Transition to Kindergarten process with a panel of experts: representatives from Elwyn Early Learning Services, The School District of Philadelphia, and The Philadelphia Interagency Coordinating Council (PICC). Recorded March 2024.
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Let Your Loving Hands and Heart Go to Work

Knowing how to use your loving heart and hands to create calm moments is a wonderful thing. We all want more of those moments. Learn some ways to bring ease into your world and that of your family members.

Presented by Marianne Roche and hosted by Stacy Phillips, Project Coordinator for Educational and Leadership Development. Recorded January 2024.
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We Are in This Together: Parent and Professional Perspectives for Supporting Your "Ausome" Neurodiverse Child

Discussion on the importance of collaboration and understanding between parents and professionals. The teamwork of parents and professionals in supporting each other to help their neurodiverse child achieve a life of possibilities is crucial to success.

Presented by Jamiel Owens, father of an "Ausome" teen and Family Relations Coordinator for the Center for Autism Research; and Jessica Lax, Psy.D., Clinical Director for SPIN. Hosted by Stacy Phillips, Project Coordinator for Educational and Leadership Development. Recorded June 2023.
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Addressing Social Emotional Development, Concerns and Challenging Behavior in Young Children

Presented by Kim Prendergast, ABC ITEI Coach and Team Support Consultant and Cynthia Gray, Early Intervention Training Coordinator, Thomas Jefferson University.
Recorded May 2023.
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Transition from an IFSP to an IEP, the Nuts and Bolts

Presented by Stacy Phillips, Institute on Disabilities Project Coordinator for Educational and Leadership Development; and Malinda Knipfer, Special Education Consultant. Recorded November 2022.
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Overview of the IFSP and IEP

Presented by Stacy Phillips, Institute on Disabilities Project Coordinator for Educational and Leadership Development; and Malinda Knipfer, Special Education Consultant. Recorded October 2022.
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Potty Training

Presented by Icylee Basketbill, Families First Trainer. Recorded September 2022.
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Therapeutic Play with My Child

Presented by Kathryn Snyder, Parent to Child and Therapy Associates. Recorded May 25, 2022.
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Advocacy Tips for Families

Presented by Jamie Ray-Leonetti, Associate Director of Policy, Institute on Disabilities at Temple University. Recorded April 11, 2022.
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Assistive Technology for Families

Presented by Stacy Phillips, Project Coordinator for Leadership Development, Institute on Disabilities at Temple University. Recorded April 20, 2022.
Request access to Assistive Technology for Families

Through the Looking Glass Part 1

Families First offers you...

• Direction on how to be an effective member of the Early Intervention Team.
• A chance to meet other families with children who receive services.
• Information to help you be confident as an equal member in your child's Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Family Services Plan (IFSP).

Parents who attended Families First told us...

"Families First is a group of parents that talk to you like they are in your family."

"The whole class was enlightening and motivated me tremendously."

"I discovered the importance of developing a vision and goals for my child."

Families First is sponsored by:

• Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS)
• Elwyn Early Learning Services
• The Philadelphia Interagency Coordinating Council (PICC)

Families First is conducted by: The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, College of Education.