Resources for Parents - PDF document

Resources for Parents A publication of the National Dissemination Centerfor Children with Disabilities, January 2011 Information Center (PTI) in her state. She isalso the parent of a 17-year-old daughterhave children with disabilities help,hope, and a lot of information.On this day, Barbara’s first call istion office in her area. She sends herinformation about early interventionservices and about the PTI, too. She also gives herCPRC—a Community Parent Resource Center. ItsToday, Carmela’s first call comes from a dad whoseto evaluate him for a disability. Dad wants to knowletter that came from the school, but it seemed like along explanation of the testing process. Before hegives his consent, he wants to know more.Carmela spends a lot of time talking with this dad.ing workshops and the ones thatevery day. Parents call PTIs andCPRCs wanting to know aboutservices, assistive technology, sourcesfor funding, behavior plans, transi-child who has a disability.dren with disabilities. Every state has at least one PTI.Each one has a different name. For example, one ofwork and Resource Center. The PTI in New Hamp-shire is called the Parent Information Center. What-ever the actual name, each is commonly known as aSome states also have Community Parent Resourcespecific area in the state, those with low income, orthose with limited English proficiency. PTIs and A legacy resource of theNational Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities PTIs and CPRCs— Together, you can brainstorm strategies and possiblehelpful? What does the law say? The PTI/CPRC canMost centers have limited resources and don’t go tochild. Some centers do go to meetings,mainly to offer support to parents. Mostoften, the PTI/CPRC gives you theskills and confidence to negotiate forneeded to reach his or her fullHowever, there may be some serviceswhere the PTI/CPRC does charge a fee.vices when they contact the center.My son has a disability. Can the PTI or CPRCAbsolutely. Depending upon your needs, the PTI or tell you about any upcoming workshops related help you develop your negotiation skills, so put you in touch with available parent support recommend articles, books, videos, and organiza-share information on resources and supportsavailable from the school system, community,state, and national centers;give you a list of tutors, special schools, orprograms for children with disabilities; andrefer you to educational consultants or special-We just moved to this state. Our son needsspecial education services. We have his old IEPSure. First, the parent center will probably ask youcenter what school district you’re in.) What are theThe PTI or CPRC will probablyshare a lot of information withyou. They may talk a bit aboutthe law. Both federal and stateanother state. The center will wantthose requirements are.able to direct you to the right school office. They canalso advise you on how to use your son’s existing IEP.if you need more information in the future.you. First, the center may invite you to one of itsworkshops on the special education law, IDEA. There,disabilities under the law. And you’ll gain more How to Develop Your Child’s IEP Collaborating with Your Child’s SchoolHow to Advocate for Your ChildWhat Do You Do When Home-School books and videos. They may also suggest specificyour daughter’s disability.school records with you. Together, you can see ifIf, indeed, your daughter does need more services,the center can be particularly helpful. They know aThis includes how to talk to your daughter’s schooltell you what other options are available to you, ifyou and the school cannot agree.and advice. Advocating for your child is a long-termThis publication is copyright free. Readers are encouraged to copy and share it. Its publication isnecessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Education, nor does mention oftrade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Finding Your Parent CenterTo find your PTI and/or CPRC, please visit the Center for Parent Informationand Resources (CPIR), at:http://www.parentcenterhub.org/find-your-centerThe CPIR also has a Repository of Resources that you can explore. There, youcan connect with publications on a wide range of topics of interest to parents,http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/lg1/http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/pa12Parental rights under IDEAhttp://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/parental-rights/