Carmen Sánchez, Education Program Specialist Office of Special Education Programs US Department of Education

 PTIs parent training and information centers CPRCs community parent resource centers PTACs parent technical assistance centers The ABCs of Parent Centers

  Sections 671, 672, and 673 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) authorize the establishment of PTIs, CPRCs, and PTACs  Section 671 establishes that only non-profit parent organizations may be PTIs and CPRCs  Grants and cooperative agreements funding parent centers are discretionary  The Office of Special Education Programs in the US Department of Education administers the parent center program Parent Centers in IDEA

  The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires the “children with disabilities and their parents receive training and information designed to assist the children in meeting developmental and functional goals and challenging academic achievement goals, and in preparing to lead productive independent adult lives” Purpose of Parent Centers

  Assist parents of children with disabilities (& at risk), ages birth to 26 to:  Understand their child’s disability  Work with professionals to obtain services  Participate in decision-making  Obtain information on research-based practices  Understand IDEA requirements  Participate in school reform activities  PTIs partner with state agencies in system reform efforts Parent Training & Information Centers (PTIs)

  Statewide or regional programs in large states (CA, FL, IL, MI, NY, OH, TX)  Also in territories (VI, PR, GU)

  Same responsibilities as PTIs  Grassroots organizations targeting a specific population and/or geographical region  More intensive assistance for unserved or underserved populations  Partners with local agencies  Funding for up to 30 CPRCs Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs)

  Arkansas – Arkansas Disability Coalition (PTI) Northwest Arkansas CPRC  Maryland – Parent’s Place of Maryland  Wisconsin – Wisconsin FACETS (PTI) Alianza Latina Aplicando Soluciones (CPRC) Parent Centers in PROMISE States

  California PTIs – Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK) Exceptional Parents Unlimited Parents Helping Parents Matrix Parent Network and Resource Center Disability Rights Defense Fund dredf.org Rowell Family Empowerment dredf.orgwww.rfenc.org Parent Centers in PROMISE States

  California CPRCs – Fiesta Educativa Chinese Parents for the Disabled Support for Families of Children with Disabilities Parents CAN Parent Centers in PROMISE States

  New York PTIs – Advocacy Center Advocates for Children of New York Resources for Children with Special Needs Sinergia Parent Centers in PROMISE States

  New York CPRCs – Parent Network of Western NY United We Stand of New York Parent Centers in PROMISE States

  ASPIRE States  Arizona – Raising Special Kids  Colorado – PEAK Parent Center (PTI) Denver Metro CPRC  Montana – Parents Let’s Unite for Kids  North Dakota – Pathfinder Parent Center  South Dakota – South Dakota Parent Connection  Utah – Utah Parent  Native American PTAC – Parent Centers in PROMISE States