Family-Centered Services: Service Providers' Discourse and Behavior.

The purpose of this study was to examine family-centered practice in terms of six service providers' philosophies and behaviors. Six professionals from a pool of 43 service providers were identified as matching the practices and philosophies identified in the literature as family centered. These providers and some of the families they served were interviewed. Five underlying components of family-centered services were identified: positiveness, responsiveness, orientation to the whole family, friendliness, and sensitivity. Moreover, these service providers displayed skills with children and communities. Understanding these features of high-quality service provision expands our understanding of family centeredness and establishes a basis for policy, training, and service recommendations.