Florene Stewart Poyadue Papers
SJSU Library Special Collections and Archives
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San Jose State University
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0028
Phone: (408) 808-2062
Fax: (408) 808-2063
Email: special.collections@sjsu.edu
URL: http://library.sjsu.edu/sjsu-special-collections/sjsu-special-collections-and-archives
© 2007
Trustees of the California State University. All rights reserved.
Florene Stewart Poyadue Papers
Collection number: MSS-2006-10-18
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
Phone: (408) 808-2062
Fax: (408) 808-2063
Email: special.collections@sjsu.edu
URL: http://library.sjsu.edu/sjsu-special-collections/sjsu-special-collections-and-archives
- Processed by:
- Jennifer E. Johnson
- Date Completed:
- 2007
- Encoded by:
- Jennifer E. Johnson
© 2007 Trustees of the California State University. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Florene Stewart Poyadue papers
Dates: 1967-2005
Bulk Dates: 1985-2001
Collection number: MSS-2006-09-01
Creator:
Poyadue, Florene Stewart
Collection Size:
9 record cartons, 2 boxes, 2 flat boxes
19.5 linear feet
Repository:
San Jose State University. Library.
San Jose, California 95192-0028
Abstract: Shortly after her fourth child was diagnosed with
Down's syndrome, Florene Stewart Poyadue became involved with Parents
Helping Parents (PHP), a Santa Clara Valley based local support network
for parents of disabled children. Under her direction, Poyadue transformed PHP
from a small local support group to a prototype for parent resource networks.
Items in this collection document Poyadue's unwavering commitment to PHP,
and highlight how her vision and work impacted the lives of countless families
and child health resource providers. Under Poyadue's leadership, PHP became
a United Way agency in 1985, and was recognized by the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services in 1990 as the model for parent-to-parent resource centers
across the nation.
Physical location: Vault 1, Range 22B
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Access
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has been assigned to the San Jose State University Library Special
Collections & Archives. All requests for permission to publish or quote from
manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Jose State University
Library Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and
is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which
must also be obtained by the reader.
Preferred Citation
Florene Stewart Poyadue papers, MSS-2006-10-18, San Jose State
University Library Special Collections & Archives.
Biographical History
Florene Stewart Poyadue was born in 1934, one of 12 children who were raised
in a three bedroom house in Lovejoy, Illinois. Immediately following high school,
she earned a nursing degree from St. Mary's Infirmary School of Nursing in St.
Louis, Missouri. Around the same time she married Octave Poyadue and started a
family. For nearly twenty years Poyadue worked as a nurse in several different
cities, moving as Octave's military career necessitated. The family finally
settled in the Bay Area after Octave retired from the military. In 1975, Poyadue
earned a Bachelor of Vocational Education degree from San Jose State University.
Prior to graduation, Poyadue gave birth to their fourth son Dean, who was
diagnosed with Down's syndrome. The only advice that doctors and hospital
staff gave her regarding her son's diagnosis was to "take him home and love
him." Frustrated with the lack of support and information available about
her son's condition, she reached out to other parents. Poyadue soon after,
joined forces with Elayne Bagwe and Gita Dedek, who had recently started a parent
resource group called Parents Helping Parents (PHP). Soon after
joining them, Poyadue convinced Bagwe and Dedek that she could take the organization further, and
she became the acting director, a position she held until retirement in 1998.
From the moment Poyadue took charge of PHP in 1976, the organization flourished.
She left her job to work with PHP full-time and immediately incorporated the
organization as a non-profit and wrote its bylaws. In 1979, Georgette Strohm
joined PHP as assistant director, and together they expanded the
organization's focus from support group to full-service family resource
center with an annual symposium, a library, and regular workshops for doctors
and family members. Throughout her years with PHP, Poyadue authored several
publications and partnered with several health-care providers including Kaiser
Permanente.
Poyadue went on to earn a master's degree in Marriage/Family/Child
Counseling from Santa Clara University in 1983. In 1985, PHP was asked to
become a United Way Agency, and in 1987 Poyadue accepted the Senator Lloyd
Bentsen Award at a conference of the U.S. Surgeon General in Washington, D.C.
In 1991 the U.S. Department of Health designated PHP as a national center on
parent-direct resources. In 1993 Santa Clara University awarded her an honorary
doctorate and invited her to address the graduating class.
In 1998, Poyadue retired from PHP, with over 20 years of dedicated service.
During her tenure with PHP, Poyadue was honored by the Santa Clara County Board
of Supervisors and the Diocese of San Jose. The city of Houston proclaimed
June 14, 1987 "Florene Stewart Poyadue Day" and in 1990 she received
the Family Achievement Award from the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation and the
Women of Achievement Award from the San Jose Mercury News and the Women's
Fund.
Between 2005 and 2006, PHP provided over 23,000 direct services to children,
families and the professionals serving them, over 3,000 attended PHP parent
education sessions and/or support events, and over 12,000 individuals attended
parent education, information and outreach sessions. Florene Stewart Poyadue's
work with PHP remains a national model for family resource centers for children
with special needs, and the organization's continued success is a testament
to her years of service.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Florene Stewart Poyadue Papers consist of administrative files,
publicity and outreach material, photographs, and audiovisual material
created by Poyadue and Parents Helping Parents (PHP) during her
tenure with the organization. Poyadue's work with PHP transformed the
organization from a small local support group to a national and international
prototype for parent resource networks. Items in this collection document
her contributions to PHP, and highlight how her vision and work
impacted the lives of so many. Under Poyadue, PHP became a United Way agency
in 1985, and was recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services in 1990 as the model for parent to parent resource centers
across the nation.
Arrangement
The Florene Stewart Poyadue Papers are organized into four series:
Administrative Files, Audiovisual & Visual Material, Publicity &
Outreach Material, and Personal Material.
Subject Headings
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection
in the library's online public access catalog.
Poyadue, Florene Stewart
Parents of children with disabilities-Services for
Parents of children with disabilities-Social networks
Collection Contents
Series I:
Administrative Files
1967-2003
Physical Description: 2 boxes
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series is comprised of administrative files that include correspondence,
financial records, legislative files, as well as several organizational manuals.
Much of this series consists of files related to numerous grants that Parents
Helping Parents (PHP) applied for and received under Poyadue's
leadership. These grants allowed PHP to broaden their focus and form partnerships
with other healthcare organizations, such as Kaiser Permanente. This series also
contains legislative material, primarily testimony given by Poyadue, which
documents the commitment of PHP to improving conditions for the disabled and
their families and care providers.
Arrangement
Files in this series are arranged alphabetically by format.
Box/Folder 1/3
Biographical Material
1990-1994
Box/Folder 1/4
Board Related Items
circa 1990-1995
Box/Folder 1/5
Budgets/Financials
circa 1990s
Box/Folder 1/7
Charts & Diagrams
circa 1989-1993
Box/Folder 1/8- 1/9
Committee/Board Information
circa 1989-1993
Physical Description: 2 folders
Box/Folder 1/8
Community Associates Board
circa 1989-1993
Box/Folder 1/9
Multicultural Committee
undated
Box/Folder 1/10-1/14
Correspondence
1967-2003
Physical Description: 5 folders
Box/Folder 1/17-2/33
Grant Related
circa 1991-1998
Physical Description: 17 folders
Box/Folder 1/17
Miscellaneous
circa 1990s
Box/Folder 1/18-1/19
National Center on Parent-Directed Family Resource Centers
1991-1992
Physical Description: 2 folders
Box/Folder 1/18
Continuation Application (1 of 2)
1991
Box/Folder 1/19
Continuation Application (2 of 2)
1992
Box/Folder 1/20-1/21
Parent Training & Information-Continuation Application
1992
Physical Description: 2 folders
Box/Folder 1/22
Developing Family/Professional Collaboration and Parent-Directed Family Resource Centers
1993
Box/Folder 1/23
Managed Care Health Plans-Introducing Family-Centered Care
1994
Box/Folder 1/24-1/25
National Center on Parent-Directed Family Resource Centers
1995
Physical Description: 2 folders
Box/Folder 1/24
Final Report (1 of 2)
1995
Box/Folder 1/25
Final Report (2 of 2)
1995
Box/Folder 1/26-1/28
Managed Care Health: Introducing Family-Centered Care
1996-1998
Physical Description: 3 folders
Box/Folder 1/26
Continuation Application (1 of 2)
1996
Box/Folder 1/27
Continuation Application (2 of 2)
1998
Box/Folder 1/28
Financial Status Report
1995
Box/Folder 2/29-2/33
Grant Related-Kaiser Permanente
circa 1994-1998
Physical Description: 5 folders
Box/Folder 2/34-2/38
Legislative Material
1985-2001
Physical Description: 5 folders
Box/Folder 2/34
Families with Disabled Children
1985-1990
Box/Folder 2/35
Amendment to the Education of the Handicapped Act
after 1988
Box/Folder 2/36
Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Board
circa 1989
Box/Folder 2/37-2/38
Family Empowerment Centers
circa 2000-2001
Physical Description: 2 folders
Box/Folder 2/42-2/46
Manuals
circa 1990-1997
Physical Description: 5 folders
Box/Folder 2/42
Admin & Finance
circa 1996
Box/Folder 2/45-2/46
Employee
circa 1990-1994
Physical Description: 2 folders
Box/Folder 2/48-2/50
Planning Documents
1989-1997
Physical Description: 3 folders
Box/Folder 2/51
Real Estate Files
undated
Box/Folder 2/52
Schedules & Calendars
1994
Box/Folder 2/53
Telephone Messages
undated
Series II:
Audiovisual & Visual Material
circa 1980s-2005
Physical Description: 4 boxes
Series Scope and Content Summary
Files in this series are arranged alphabetically by format.
The photographs in this series provide visual documentation of the
organizational evolution and activities of Parents Helping Parents (PHP).
Included are photographs of Poyadue's first PHP "office" which was
located in a closet in her home, as well as large scale community fundraising
and networking events that PHP later went on to host. Also included are audio
and video cassettes consisting of speeches from workshops and conferences,
recordings from many of Poyadue's public appearances, and television news
reports about PHP activities.
Box/Folder 2/54-2/73
Photographs
undated
Physical Description: 20 folders
Box/Album 3/1-3/2
Photographs
1994-1998
Physical Description: 2 albums
Box/Album 3/1
Memories of Florene Stewart Poyadue
1994
Box/Album 3/2
Tribute to Florene Stewart Poyadue
1998
Box 4
Audio Cassette Tapes
circa 1989-1996
Box 5
Audio & Video Recordings (CD, DVD, VHS)
circa 1993-2005
Series III:
Publicity & Outreach Material
circa 1970-2003
Physical Description: 8 boxes
Series Scope and Content Summary
Files in this series are arranged alphabetically by format.
The series documents Poyadue's considerable efforts towards
furthering awareness about parent support networks in the Santa
Clara Valley and beyond. Under her direction, Parents Helping Parents
(PHP) authored several publications aimed at providing parents with
authoritative information about their children's disabilities as
well as specialized local resources. Her never ending outreach efforts
on behalf of PHP, including motivational speeches given at conferences
around the nation, were recognized by countless organizations, and
eventually the White House as part of the 1000 Points of Light program.
Poyadue also received the Senator Lloyd Bentsen Award at the Surgeon General
Conference in 1987.
Boxes 6-9
Awards (Three-dimensional)
1985-2001
Physical Description: 4 boxes
Box/Folder 10/74-10/75
Awards (Certificates)
circa 1980-2003
Physical Description: 2 folders
Box/Folder 10/76
Clippings
circa 1976-2001
Box/Folder 10/77-10/84
Conference Material
circa 1986-2001
Physical Description: 8 folders
Box/Folder 10/77
Individual Education Plan
1986-1991
Box/Folder 10/78
Conference Badges
1990-1996
Box/Folder 10/79
International Parent-to-Parent
1996-2000
Box/Folder 10/80
The Keys to Creating, Managing and Maintaining a Family Resource Center or Other Non-Profit Agency
1996
Box/Folder 10/82
Walking in Each Other's Shoes
2000
Box/Folder 10/87-10/89
PHP
1979-1998
Physical Description: 3 folders
Box/Folder 10/90-10/104
Outreach
1998
Physical Description: 15 folders
Box/Folder 10/90
Autism Packet
circa 1980-2000
Box/Folder 10/91
Basic Packet
circa 1980-2000
Box/Folder 10/92
Miscellaneous
circa 1980-2000
Box/Folder 10/93
Self Help Or Peer Support (SHOPS)
1983
Box/Folder 10/94-10/95
"In A Nutshell" Series
1991-1999
Physical Description: 2 folders
Box/Folder 10/96
Sickle Cell Community Network
circa 1990s
Box/Folder 10/97
United Way of Santa of Santa Clara County
circa 1990s
Box/Folder 10/99-101
Kaiser Project
circa 1990s
Physical Description: 3 folders
Box/Folder 10/99
Outreach Packet
circa 1990s
Box/Folder 10/101
Orientation Material
circa 1990s
Box/Folder 10/102
Napa Valley Head Start
1991
Box/Folder 10/104
Resource Directories
undated
Box/Folder 10/105
Press Releases
circa 1984-1991
Box/Folder 10/106-11/113
Printed Material
undated
Physical Description: 4 folders
Box/Folder 10/107
Stationery & Letterhead
undated
Box/Folder 10/108-11/113
Pamphlets & Programs
undated
Physical Description: 6 folders
Box/Folder 11/114-12/149
Publications
1983-1999
Physical Description: 36 folders
Box/Folder 11/116
Proposal Writing
after 1986
Box/Folder 11/117
Parent to Parent Information
1990
Box/Folder 11/119-11/120
The Modern Art of Caring for Families
after 1990
Physical Description: 2 folders
Box/Folder 11/121
Steps to Starting...
1991-1993
Box/Folder 11/122
Creating a Collaborative Family-Centered Community-Based Family Resource Center
1991
Box/Folder 11/123
Financial Tracking System
1992
Box/Folder 11/124
Caring for Children and Families: Guidelines for Hospitals (Bound Book)
1992
Box/Folder 11/125
Day Care for Children with Special Needs
1993
Box/Folder 11/126
The Acronymonary
after 1994
Box/Folder 11/127
Family Support Guidelines for Effective Practice
1995
Box/Folder 11/128
Where Do I Begin? Integrated Neighborhood Playgroups
1995
Box/Folder 11/129
Caring for Children with Special Needs
1995
Box/Folder 11/130-11/131
Better Ways of Breaking Diagnostic News
1996
Physical Description: 2 folders
Box/Folder 11/132-12/35
The Keys to Creating, Managing and Maintaining a Family Resource Center or Other Non-Profit Agency
1996
Physical Description: 4 folders
Box/Folder 12/136
Mentor Parent Training
1997
Box/Folder 12/138
National Parent to Parent Support and Information System Project Description
1999
Box/Folder 12/139
Support and Information Groups Facilitators Notebook
undated
Box/Folder 12/140
National Resources for Parent to Parent
undated
Box/Folder 12/141
Mentor Visiting Parent
undated
Box/Folder 12/142
Guide to Adult Agencies
undated
Box/Folder 12/144
Making the First LINC
undated
Box/Folder 12/145-12/146
The Parent to Parent Handbook
undated
Box/Folder 12/147-12/149
Parents Activating Family-Centered Care
undated
Box/Folder 12/150-13/213
Speeches
1975-2000
Physical Description: 64 folders
Box/Folder 12/150
Cause-Related Solutions
1975
Box/Folder 12/153
Attitudes of Professionals Re: Treatment and Care of the Handicapped
1980
Box/Folder 12/154
The Black (American) Experience
1980
Box/Folder 12/157
Mother's Day Sermons
1983-1990
Box/Folder 12/158
Surgeon General's Conference
1984
Box/Folder 12/160
Letting Go and Holding On
circa 1985
Box/Folder 12/161
Speech to Kiwanis of Palo Alto
1985
Box/Folder 12/164
CUE to Bridging the Gap
1987
Box/Folder 12/165
Traumatic Injury Conference-Keynote
1987
Box/Folder 12/166
Parental Empowerment and Advocacy
1987
Box/Folder 12/168
Lloyd Bentsen Award Recipient Speech
1987
Box/Folder 12/169
Second Annual Governor's Conference on Coordination of Services for Chronically Impaired Children and Their Families (CIC)
1987
Box/Folder 12/171
Address to James Lick High School National Honor Society
1988
Box/Folder 12/172
Parent Training and Stress Management
1988
Box/Folder 12/173
Advocacy Grassroots Connection
1989
Box/Folder 12/175
Fiscal Problems
after 1989
Box/Folder 12/176
Parents Helping Parents-What it is and a Whole Lot More!
1990
Box/Folder 12/177
Making a Difference for the Child at Risk
1990
Box/Folder 12/178
Cognitive Coping at PHP
1991
Box/Folder 12/179
St. Mary's Infirmary Reunion-Keynote
1992
Box/Folder 12/180
Serving the Diverse Needs of Families
1992
Box/Folder 12/182
Transition Collaboration
1993
Box/Folder 13/185
Cultural Competence and Our Commonality On Being Human
1994
Box/Folder 13/186
Community Partnerships
1995
Box/Folder 13/187
Great Expectations Revisited
1995
Box/Folder 13/188
Weaving Words of Wisdom and Wellness for Our Diverse Times
1996
Box/Folder 13/190
Advocating Successfully & Being Active Politically
1997
Box/Folder 13/193
Collaboration Defined Mathematically
undated
Box/Folder 13/194
Developing Guidelines for Placing Handicapped Students in Health Careers
undated
Box/Folder 13/195
Eulogy for Georgette Strohm
undated
Box/Folder 13/196
Families in Focus
undated
Box/Folder 13/197
Top 10 Points for Saving Caregivers
undated
Box/Folder 13/200
Off the Stress Scale
undated
Box/Folder 13/202
Visiting Parents Program
undated
Box/Folder 13/208
I Respect You, But...
undated
Box/Folder 13/212
History of Family-Centered Care
undated
Box/Folder 13/214-13/219
Training Material
1970/1983
Physical Description: 6 folders
Box/Folder 13/214
Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide Training
1970-1980
Box/Folder 13/215
A Course of Instruction for Residential Care Home Operators
circa 1973
Box/Folder 13/216
Conference Encounters Technique
1977
Box/Folder 13/217
Guidelines for Welcome Chariot
1983
Box/Folder 13/220-13/224
Workshop Materials
1987-1993
Physical Description: 5 folders
Box/Folder 13/220
Special Education Rights and Responsibilities
circa 1987-1993
Box/Folder 13/221
Our Time Together On Inclusion And Building Community
undated
Box/Folder 13/222
Burnout Prevention Workshop
undated
Box/Folder 13/223
Collaboration Workshop
undated
Series IV:
Personal Material
circa 1971-1996
Physical Description: 1 box
Series Scope and Content Summary
Files in this series are arranged alphabetically by format. This bulk of this
series documents Poyadue's personal life and activities prior to her
involvement with Parents Helping Parents (PHP). This series contains many of
Poyadue's academic records from nursing school, and Santa Clara University,
where she earned her master's degree in Marriage/Family/Child Counseling in
1983. Also included in this series is Poyadue's private correspondence and
scripts from a television show that she hosted from 1975-1976.
Box/Folder 13/228-13/229
Education Related
1971-1973
Physical Description: 2 folders
Box/Folder 13/228
Nursing Program
1971-1975
Box/Folder 13/229
Santa Clara University
1981-1996
Box/Folder 13/230
Printed Material (Ephemera)
undated
Box/Folder 13/231
Television Show Scripts
1975-1976
Box/Folder 13/232-13/235
Training Material
1971-1973
Physical Description: 4 folders
Box/Folder 13/232
Nursing Assistants and Home Health Aides
1971-1975
Box/Folder 13/233-13/235
Palo Alto Unified School District Source and Work Book for Nursing Assistants and Home Health Aides
undated
Physical Description: 3 folders
