A host of centers across the country tasked with helping parents navigate the special education system are getting a financial boost.
Fifteen parent training centers spanning 11 states, Washington, D.C., the Virgin Islands and Guam will share in $3.5 million in funding from the Department of Education, officials said Wednesday.
In addition, 10 so-called community parent resource centers will receive $100,000 each to help parents of children with disabilities in underserved communities.
“Research shows that all students, especially those with disabilities, are more successful when parents are part of the educational decision-making process,” said Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “These centers help families who have children with disabilities access services and negotiate the complex framework of special education rules and regulations.”
The Department of Education now funds 106 parent training centers throughout the nation, with at least one located in every state.
Hi,
After years of talking to other parents and finally just homeschooling my own child I have come to the conclusion there is nothing hard about navagating the special ed school system. There is nothing complicated about it at all. The schools just won’t do it. I’m not talking about trying to keep a older child in kindergarden. Just basic things like toilet or actually feeding the kid. Forget things like computer, switch access or any higher technology. The education of the aids themselves are very much in question. The only thing that is going to get your disabled child a basic education is a very good lawyer. Lots of money is pumped into these so called special ed schools and all that is shown for it is a factory style working place for special ed workers. The higher ups like it this way. I am not saying there is not a lot of nice people with good hearts but I for one am tired of sponsering nice people.
Sincerely
hdemic
parent of special needs child stuck in Greenville, Mi.
PS used to live out west where she actually attended school
Well isn’t that just great more programs to ADMINISTER the money. I am a parent of a child with down syndrome, autism, and ocd. I have contacted PIC, the GPCDD , People First , PIN, WIND DDD, well thats just to name a few. Oh yes then there is P&A. Well for the past year I have email ALL of them and called and begged. For training or education any conference to improve my information to serve my son better. I got refered to another PROGRAM. I finally am told a person from UPLIFT is coming to help me with a IEP but that remains to be seen. WHEN ARE FAMLIES AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES GOING TO HAVE THE FREEDOM TO REALLY CHOOSE WHO PROVIDES SERVICES.? I called people first of wy who got 83.000 from the GPCDD and emailed them I still have the email in my sent box. To ask for any education on advocacy or training. AFTER it was two months before the SABE conference . The day the STAFF got back from the conference they called me. Look on the web sites of all of these agencys or call them to see what is available. Often trainings provided are posted after they happen. The web site the council has now or did yesterday has grants they sponsored. I called they all including including wind. They said the program that grant sponsored was over 2 or 3 years ago. As far as thier MEGA conference goes for the DD people and the famlies to provide education and training. The ONLY reason I would go is to inform parents of the Bill that was worked for parent and participant rights on Sept 22. So participants can have real choice. If they want a parent provider they can choose them. I never saw a conference with so little new information. The main speaker for 2 days has a photo collection of “The Stare” its the horrible look people give the DD population with no words. We do not need to be educated about that. Present that talk at schools churches, librarys to educate them on how much that stare hurts. We see it enough we dont need that sort of talk. The NJCIE.NET site has inclusion conferences . how about something new. With all the GRANT MONEY these POGRAMS GET all they can give is a free hotel room and meals for a local conference with mostly volunteer non expert testimony. I WOULD RATHER HAVE FREEDOM to choose a n national down syndrome conference. Look at the events schedual from the 2010 conference compared to the events. Or the GPCDD in many other states. They provide education and training. We know how to do a fire drill thanks. I dont want to hear from PIC PIn GPCDD and all the programs telling how much they provide when I was trying all year to get any help and got NONE. P&A said they couldnt help when my son walked with school staff TWICE in several weeks and fell in a skateboard park hole. Or was secluded in a hot room for panting like the shaggy dog. Took off all clothes because he got so over heated. Was not monitored could have died in all of the incidences . They are not documented in the school record. The principal has been bullying me because I want the IEP followed. He thinks he is so powerful I alone have to procede with the complaint process. Uplift finally said they will help but I have been asking for years. That remains to be seen.