Parent Representation in Policy Development: An Analysis of Parent Representation on Local Interagency Coordinating Councils

This article describes a study that examined the extent to which parents who are voting members of local interagency coordinating councils (LICs) are representative of the families within their local service areas and the extent to which they perceive themselves to represent the needs and interests of families within their local service area. Current parent members of one state's local councils were surveyed regarding the nature of family representation on these councils. Demographic information from survey respondents was compared with known demographic characteristics of the family population within the state. Results indicated that the LIC survey respondents had higher incomes and educational levels and were less likely to belong to an ethnic minority than the state family population. A substantial majority of the LIC survey respondents also reported that they were only somewhat likely to represent other families. The article suggests future policy and research directions for facilitating representation of all families in early intervention systems.