California MAP
California MAP
Working Together

California Parent Organizations and the California Department of Education

California Parent Organizations and the California Department of Education

The California Department of Education (CDE), Special Education Division, works closely with federal- and-state-funded parent organizations to increase parent participation and collaboration between parents and educators to improve the educational system.

The web page contains a description of and listings of the regional offices throughout California of three different organizations that support families of children with disabilities with information and training to help them with the education of their children. They include: Family Empowerment Centers, Parent Training and Information Centers and California Community Parent Resource Centers. Each one has a different focus and they may overlap with each other.

Another important type of parent organization is the federally funded Family Resource Centers for families with infants and toddlers with disabilities in early intervention. Those organizations can be found on the County Specific Resources area of the MAP Website.

Senate Bill 511, Family Empowerment Centers

The Family Empowerment Centers (FECs) provide training and information to families of children and young adults with disabilities, between the ages of 3 and 22. These parent-led nonprofit organizations offer specialized training, peer-to-peer support, information and referral services. They aim to assist parents to better understand their child’s educational and developmental needs, effectively communicate with service providers, serve as a resource for the individual education plan process, participate in school reform and improvement activities, promote alternative dispute resolution, and support positive relationships between parents and professionals. Services available through each FEC vary based on the needs of the community.

Parent Training and Information Center

Each Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC) is a parent-directed non-profit 501(c)(3) organization funded and managed by the Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The California Department of Education coordinates with the PTICs on initiatives and opportunities for parent support statewide.

The PTICs provide a variety of direct services for children and youth with disabilities, families, professionals, and other organizations that support them. Some of the activities include:

  • Working with families of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities, birth to twenty-six
  • Helping parents participate effectively in their children’s education and development
  • Partnering with professionals and policy makers to improve outcomes for all children with disabilities

California Community Parent Resource Centers

Background

The Community Parent Resource Center (CPRC), are managed and funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and, as described in 20 United States Code 1472, will help ensure that underserved parents of children, ages birth through twenty-six with disabilities, including low-income parents, parents of limited English-proficient children, and parents with disabilities, have the training and information the parents need to enable the parents to participate effectively in helping their children with disabilities.

Each CPRC shall:

  • Provide training and information that meets the training and information needs of parents of children with disabilities,
  • Carry out the activities required of PTICs, and
  • Be designed to meet the specific needs of families who experience significant isolation from available sources of information and support.

Greater Good Parenting: Raising Caring, Courageous Kids

Parents want to raise kind, caring, courageous children but few feel like they know precisely how to do that. In order to help bridge the gap between research and the daily lives of parents, the Greater Good Science Center, supported by the John Templeton Foundation, launched an initiative with three components to help parents raise kids of high character who treat others with compassion and respect.

The GGSC has developed a range of new resources sharing with parents the top research and best practices on raising children who are supportive of others and committed to something bigger than themselves. This includes publishing dozens of new articles for parents on Greater Good, creating several practical exercises for parents to try with their kids on Greater Good in Action, and producing a series of short videos designed for mobile devices and social media to reach busy parents on-the-go.

Sesame Street in Communities

This website provides information, videos and activities on a variety of topics to support families and care providers in teaching young children. Information may be geared to either care providers or families and activities can be selected by age group. Topics range from routines and exploring emotions to autism, divorce, incarceration and homelessness. Available in both English and Spanish.

State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD)

The State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) is established by state and federal law as an independent state agency to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families receive the services and supports they need.

Consumers know best what supports and services they need to live independently and to actively participate in their communities. Through advocacy, capacity building and systemic change, SCDD works to achieve a consumer and family-based system of individualized services, supports, and other assistance.

eParent.Com

eParent.com is an online multi-media company dedicated to be the ultimate resource for everything related to the special needs community. Providing practical advice, emotional support, current trending news and educational information to empower caregivers and families of children and adults with disabilities and special healthcare needs. As well as to the physicians, allied health care professionals, and educational professionals who are involved in their care and development.

Understood

Parents want the best for their children. We do, too. For the first time ever, 15 nonprofit organizations have joined forces to support parents of the one in five children with learning and attention issues throughout their journey.

With the right support, parents can help children unlock their strengths and reach their full potential. With state-of-the-art technology, personalized resources, free daily access to experts, a secure online community, practical tips and more, Understood aims to be that support.

Free Things and Grants for Kids with Special Needs

We always want to provide the best for our kids, but somehow, the pressure is even greater when our kids have special needs. Of course, there are direct costs, such as the need for medical equipment to make their lives easier, but we also want to provide them with happy memories to at least partly make up for the tough times they experience at a very young age. Fortunately, there’s no need to feel all alone. There are some marvelous organizations out there that really want to help. Why not give them an opportunity to do so? Are you managing just fine on your own? Consider donating to these worthy causes instead.

49 Phrases to Calm an Anxious Child

It happens to every child in one form or another – anxiety. As parents, we would like to shield our children from life’s anxious moments, but navigating anxiety is an essential life skill that will serve them in the years to come. In the heat of the moment, try these simple phrases to help your children identify, accept, and work through their anxious moments.

Parent Companion: First Five Years

  • The Four Stages of Adaptation: Stage 1 Surviving
    The Four Stages of Adaptation model was developed by Dr. Nancy Miller, a psychotherapist and social worker. She worked with four moms over a period of five years and distilled their experiences into the book Nobody’s Perfect: Living and Growing with Children Who Have Special Needs. The model came from conversations with the moms, experiences working with families, and the writings of many parents and professionals.

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) For Families

This section of the National Association for the Education of Young Children website provides practical information, advice, including how to find quality child care, and resources directed toward parents.