Educational Resources
Helping Your Child to
Succeed at School
We have assembled this list of educational resources, for your use. One of the most difficult aspects in raising a special needs child, is working with the schools. All children, regardless of their issues or conditions, are entitled to a "Free and Approriate Public Education" (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).
This is mandated by the federal government, and is covered by "The No Child Left Behind Act", and also IDEA 2004. (Their link is just below).
The best way to advocate for your child is to learn about the 504/IEP (Individualized Education Plan) process. No one knows your child better than you, so it is imperative that your imput be an intregal part of the IEP process.
Here are the educational resources that will help you to help your child.....
IDEA 2004- Building on the Legacy
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.
Infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth-2) and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C. Children and youth (ages 3-21) receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.
Parents Are Vital in Education (PAVE)
Washington PAVE is a parent directed organization that works with families, individuals with disabilities, professionals and community members in all walks of life and with all types of disabilities. Since 1979, PAVE has provided information, training and support for over 1,000,000 individuals with disabilities, parents and professionals. Pave is a great educational resource to have working with you.
Partnering with Your Child's School: A Guide for Parents
The HSC Foundation, in partnership with George Washington University 's Graduate School of Education and Human Development, offers a new educational resource for parents. The booklet is available online and in hard copy, and in English and in Spanish, is designed to help parents of children who have been diagnosed with health or mental health care needs to learn about available resources and to develop a partnership with their children's schools. The booklet's content has been reviewed and validated by groups of parents, youth, and educators and is produced in partnership with the Council for Exceptional Children and the National Association of State Directors of Special Education. You can download the booklet in either PDF or Word format, simply click on the appropriate link.
Families and Advocates Partnership for Education
The Families and Advocates Partnership for Education (FAPE) project is a partnership that aims to improve the educational outcomes for children with disabilities. It links families, advocates, and self-advocates to education resources, and information about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The project is designed to address the information needs of the 6 million families throughout the Country whose children with disabilities receive special education services.
Free Appropriate Public Education
The Section 504 regulation requires a school district to provide a "free appropriate public education" (FAPE) to each qualified person with a disability who is in the school district's jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of the person's disability. This site answers questions about FAPE.
Statewide Parent Training and Information Center (PTI)
Provides training, educational resources, and support for parents in Washington State whose children have special learning needs, individuals with disabilities, professionals – anyone interested in people with disabilities. Staff and volunteers work with you one-to-one or provide workshops on various aspects of obtaining appropriate services in the public school system.
Community Inclusion Program of Pierce County
Provides meetings and events in three geographical areas, Peninsula and Southeast and community Westside Pierce County. Families, individuals with disabilities, neighbors and community members come together to learn about educational resources and supports.
Exceptional Family Member Program
Provides comprehensive, coordinated, multi-agency approach for medical, education, community support, housing, and personnel services to military families with special needs stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington and surrounding military communities.
Infant Toddler Early Intervention Parent Participation Coordinator
Provides technical assistance and training to ITEIP, the Washington State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC), state agencies, County Interagency Coordinating Councils (CICC), families/parents, service providers, and others regarding family involvement in Early Intervention for Infants and Toddlers birth to three and their families.
Person Centered Planning Program of Pierce County
Provides ongoing training and support for facilitators, parent and self-advocate mentors, and person centered plans utilizing Maps and graphics.
Pierce County Parent to Parent
Provides emotional support and information on community resources for parents who have a child with a disability or chronic health need. Helping Parent Volunteers and staff assist families in coping with many challenging experiences and feelings and can contact families by phone, home visits, or hospital visits.
The Fleet and Family Support Program, for Whidbey NAS
If you are a member of the Navy, stationed at NAS Whidbey, and need help with education, transition, or other issues, check out the programs offered here throught the Navy's Fleet and Family Support Program. If you don't see the info you are looking for, or need to ask a question, email David W. Thomason or call 360-257-3266 or toll free 1-866-854-0638
WrightsLaw.com
Founded by husband and wife education attornies, Wrightslaw is a great website for information regarding Special Education Law and Advocacy: Library of articles, interpretations, and sample IEP, and many educational resources. Sign up for their email newsletter.
ReedMartin.com
Educational resource where parents, advocates, attorneys and school personnel come for accurate up-to-date information & strategies to secure rights of children with disabilities! Our Mission is Lessening Discrimination to Children with Disabilities by Providing Parents, Advocates & School Personnel Tools for Advocacy.
Online High School For Washington State Students
Quillayute Valley School District in Forks provides an accredited on-line high school curriculum available to all students in Washington State. Visit the site for more information.
DevelopmentalWeb.com
This website is a great resource for finding special education and developmental resources for children in the Puget Sound region. You can also post your comments and feedback and add new resources.
Seattle Parents With Students In Special Ed
Which schools have special education programs that are appropriate for my child? How do I arrange to visit programs? What are the deadlines for placement decisions for students with IEPs as they move from elementary school to middle school? If you are struggling with these questions, visit the site. This new website, created by a Seattle School District parent, has integrated enrollment information from the district's website to make it "parent friendly."
Washington Homeschool Organization
A unique community of homeschoolers is growing in Washington state. More and more families are taking the plunge and pulling their special needs children out of school or keeping them home in the first place. Why the increasing numbers? The reasons are as many and varied as the kids themselves. The idea of taking challenged students out of school and helping them learn at home is not a new one. but seems more do-able, less daunting today, thanks to new support groups, educational resources and information.
SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPPORT AND INFORMATION – SNOHOMISH COUNTY
DaNae Ware, Parent Resource Coordinator from PAVE of Washington State, provides FREE one on one support and information concerning special education issues, 504 plan development, IEPs, parent's rights, law and how to communicate with schools. First Fridays of every month at Family Support Center, 6330 195th ST SW, Lynnwood. Call (360) 279-1415 or (877) 279-1416 for appointment.
SEATTLE SPECIAL ED PTSA
The Seattle Special Ed PTSA is here to serve and advocate on your behalf. Please let them know which issues are of most concern to you. Contact Co-President Nancy Speer at Nancy Speer@comcast.net
OSPI LIAISON FOR PARENTS
Kristin Hennesey is the Special Education Ombudsman in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and a great resource when dealing with your child's educational success (504 or IEP). (360) 725-6075 or khennessey@ospi.wednet.edu
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