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2600 North Wyatt Drive Tucson, Arizona 85712 Phone: (520) 324-3150 Fax: (520) 324-3152 Hours 9AM-5PM M-F |
Table of Contents - Frequently Asked Questions
Parent to ParentWho can become a Pilot Parent? Pilot Parents are usually family members who have, in the past, utilized Pilot Parents services for themselves and are well aware of how valuable it is to have contact with another more experienced family facing similar concerns. Many of these families find that as time passes they too are ready to be trained as Pilot Parents. Often we have families who are recommended by service coordinators, physicians or other professionals. When this happens we contact the family and offer Pilot Parent training knowing that these parents have developed the qualities we are looking for to support new families. How are Pilot Parents trained? Pilot Parents can be trained in a couple of ways. We want to make the training easy for families and individuals. We hold trainings, given by Pilot Parents staff, several times throughout the year. First, if there are several families/individuals in a particular support group or region and they wish to become Pilot Parents, we will be happy to provide a training at a time and site that will meet their needs. We can also train an individual family/individual to act as a Pilot Parent when they feel ready to offer support. Occasionally the issues a family has may be unique to them and we may not have a call for such a match for some time. We might match them with another family to utilize some of the resources and skills they have developed. What will you learn at the training? The basic skills needed to be a Pilot Parent.
What do I do if I want to become a Pilot Parent? Contact Pilot Parents by phone, fax or email. Back to TopParent Training and Information Center
What is a Parent Training and Information Center? A Parent Training and Information Center—or PTI—is a terrific information resource for parents of children with disabilities. Every state has at least one PTI. Each one has a different name. For example, one of the PTIs in California is named Matrix Parent Network and Resource Center. The PTI in New Hampshire is called the Parent Information Center. Whatever the actual name, each is commonly known as a PTI. Some states also have Community Parent Resource Centers, or CPRCs. CPRCs do the same work as the PTIs, but they focus on reaching underserved parents of children with disabilities, who live in specific areas of the state, including low-income parents, parents of children with limited English proficiency, and parents with disabilities. PTIs and CPRCs are funded through our nation’s special education law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). As you can probably guess from their name, their purpose is to provide parents with information and training about:
Parent Centers know about the needs of children and families. They understand school policies and practices. Through their experience with the education of children with disabilities, the needs of families and schools, Parent Centers make valuable contributions on a local and statewide basis in support of schools to improve services and outcomes for students with disabilities. When would I call my Parent Center? You might call your PTI or CPRC when you have a disability-related, early intervention, special education, or transition question. The Parent Center can help you:
Some Centers may also:
How do Parent Centers help parents?
Parent Centers mainly help parents by providing information on the phone. You have a question, the PTI/CPRC tries to answer it. They may refer you to other helpful organizations in your community or offer practical advice.
Centers are run by well-trained and knowledgeable staff. Most have children with disabilities themselves. Some may speak more than one language. They answer the phone prepared to hear your concerns and issues. Most PTIs have one main office with a toll-free telephone number, so that parents can call free of charge from anywhere in the state. Many PTIs also have other offices around the state.
Parent Centers put major effort into conducting workshops, conferences, and seminars for parents. In these training sessions, parents can learn about IDEA, the special education process, recommended practices, and much, much more. Often, Parent Center staff serve on different local and state level advisory councils, boards, or work groups that are designed to improve results for students with disabilities and enhance home-school-community partnerships. Some Centers also extend their training and information services to professionals who work with children with disabilities and their families.
Centers also use snail mail, e-mail, faxes, and Web sites to share their information. Many Centers publish newsletters and other written materials. They may also provide these materials in other languages based upon the needs of families in the community.
As you know, dealing with many issues at one time can be overwhelming. An experienced Parent Center staff member can help you sort through the issues and put them in perspective. Together, you can brainstorm strategies and possible solutions. What questions need to be asked? Of whom? What information or training would be helpful? What does the law say? The PTI/CPRC can help you address your unique concerns, and expand and build upon your knowledge and strengths.
Most Centers have limited resources and don’t go to school meetings to advocate for you and your child. Some Centers do go to meetings, mainly to offer support to parents. Most often, the PTI/ CPRC gives you the skills and confidence to negotiate for your child on your own. This helps you get your child the services needed to reach his or her full potential.
Will I have to pay for services?
Most services are free to parents. However, there may be some services where the PTI/CPRC does charge a fee. Parents should ask about any costs for services when they contact the Center.
My son has a disability. Can the Parent Center help me find resources to help him?
Absolutely. Depending upon your needs, the PTI/CPRC can usually:
We just moved to this state. Our son needs special education services. We have his old IEP with us. Can the Parent Center help us?
Sure. First, the PTI will probably ask you some questions to get a picture of your situation. For example: Where do you live now? (This will tell the Center what school district you’re in.) What are the dates on your son’s IEP? (This will tell the Center if the IEP is current or not.) What kind of services was your son receiving in your old state? (This will tell the Center what types of services your son needs.)
The PTI/CPRC will probably share a lot of information with you. They may talk a bit about the law. Both federal and state regulations have requirements for schools when a child moves into the state with an IEP from another state. The Center will want to make sure you understand what those requirements are.
With all this information, the PTI/CPRC should be able to direct you to the right school office. They can also advise you on how to use your son’s existing IEP. This will be useful when you meet with staff at his new school. And you can always call the Center back if you need more information in the future.
My daughter has been receiving special education services for two years, but I'm not sure she's getting all that she needs. How can the Parent Center help me?
There are several ways the PTI/CPRC can help you. First, the Center may invite you to one of its workshops on the special education law, IDEA. There, you’ll learn more about the rights of children with disabilities under the law. And you’ll gain more understanding on how the special education process is designed to work. This information will help you work with the school system. The Parent Center may also recommend workshops that target areas such as:
Many Parent Centers have lending libraries. If yours does, they may loan you a book or a video. They may also suggest specific organizations or specialists working in the area of your daughter’s disability.
The PTI/CPRC may offer to review your child’s school records with you. Together, you can see if anything is unclear or appears to be missing. If it seems that more information on your child is needed, the Center will give you some ideas on how to talk with the school about gathering this information.
If, indeed, your daughter does need more services, the Parent Center can be particularly helpful. They know a great deal about how to work with school systems. They can help you explore options and develop a strategy for working with your daughter’s school. This includes how to talk to your daughter’s school about her need for more services. The Center can also tell you what other options are available to you, if you and the school cannot agree.
And always, the PTI/CPRC will be there to provide you with follow-up support, information, and advice. Advocating for your child is a long-term commitment. The Parent Center is there to help you and your child. Back to TopSIBSHOPS
What is SIBSHOPS?
Based on a national model developed by Don Meyer, Sibshops is a workshop providing information to siblings of children with special needs.
What are the Goals?
Sibshops is for children ages
7-14. Back to TopSpecial Education
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