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Parent-to-Parent Assistance This approach recognizes that parents are a valuable source of assistance to other parents. |
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ADR Resource Parent - Sonoma County SELPA The Sonoma County SELPA (Special Education Local Planning Area) in California has trained parents to serve in the role of ADR Resource Parent. IEP Partners Program The IEP Partners Program trains and matches IEP Partners with parents wanting support at their child's Individualized Education Program meeting. IEP Support Parent The Sonoma County SELPA (Special Education Local Planning Area)in California has provided training for IEP Support Parents, whose role is to accompany families to IEP meetings, and while not functioning as an advocate, can help in understanding what is happening during the meeting and in educating with regard to rights and responsibilities. Local Capacity Building (LCB) grants An example of parent-to-parent assistance involves the Local Capacity Building (LCB) grants currently funded through the Oregon Department of Education. These grants focus on training a group of resource parents in a tri-county area. A clearinghouse has been established for parents with shared interests in special education issues. Concerned parents can call a central number and access a project coordinator who screens their concerns. The parent is then assigned to a resource parent who assists in determining the most appropriate recourse for the particular dispute. Navigator Program The purpose of the South Dakota Navigator Program is to provide individualized technical assistance, information, and support services to families and educators caring for children with special education needs. Goals of the program include improving family-school collaboration; providing an additional mechanism for conflict-resolution at a local level; providing resources for educators and parents in areas of technical assistance and leadership development; and promoting the knowledge of benefits derived from increased family involvement to school personnel. Resulting in productive IEP meetings and promoting respectful interactions between families and school personnel in order to make the best decisions regarding each student’s educational program. Parent Educator Exceptional Resource (PEER) The missions of the PEERs is to provide up-to-date information, resources and support to parents of children with disabilities, facilitate partnerships between families and the school system, help parents gain access to accurate information and support services and provide referrals to community, state and federal resources. Parent Liaison Service The Parent Liaison Service was created by the Department of Exceptional Student Education of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools. This service offers training, information on resources, and support to parents of students in Exceptional Student Education programs. Parent Liaison Services Parent liaison services assist parents who are concerned about the design and delivery of special education services for their children. They may take the form of assisting the parent before, during, or after the IEP meeting. Liaison services may be more general as well by providing training, networking opportunities, or written information. Two important principles include building the capacity of individual school districts to involve and communicate with parents, and promoting a nonadversarial approach to conflict resolution that builds trust between school staff and parents. Parent Ombudsman - Virginia The Ombuds serves as an informal neutral facilitator for problem solving, assisting parents in learning how to resolve special education issues themselves. The Ombudsman acts as a source of information and referral for parents relative to special education regulatory issues; provides impartial and confidential special education technical assistance to parents; answers questions from parents relative to special education regulations and related issues; distributes special education and related publications; and makes appropriate referrals. Parent-Educator Initiative The Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative (WSPEI) is a service for parents, educators, and others interested in parent-educator partnerships for children with disabilities. Its goal is to help parents and school districts find or create the resources that will help them build positive working relationships that lead to shared decision making and children’s learning. It supports increased sharing of information among parents, schools, projects, organizations and agencies through networking meetings, conferences, person-to-person contact, and media. |