Advocacy Organizations
Information is power! Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIC's)
provide training and information to parents of infants, toddlers, school-aged
children, young adults with disabilities and professionals. This assistance
helps parents participate more effectively with professionals in meeting the
educational needs of their children with disabilities. PTIC’s work with families
to obtain appropriate education services, work to improve educational results
for all children, resolve problems between families and schools or other
agencies, and connect children with disabilities to community resources that
address their needs.
There are two Parent Training and Information Centers that serve families in
Illinois. These agencies are funded by the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA).
Family Matters Parent Training and Information
Center is a PTIC program at ARC Community Support Systems. Family Matters
was awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to become a Parent
Training and Information Center, in October 2002, to serve the entire state of
Illinois outside of the Chicago area. Family Matters provides information,
referral, links, and training to parents, students with disabilities, and
special education professionals. Parents can get assistance with special
education problems or concerns, obtain information, and seek training
opportunities through a toll free help line 1-866-436-7842. Regional
coordinators in the North, South, East, West, and Central areas of the state
offer free workshops on special education rights, responsibilities and related
topics. The mission the Family Matters, Family Support Program and the Parent
Training and Information Center is to build upon families' strengths, empower
parents and professionals to achieve the strongest possible outcomes for
students with disabilities, and to enhance the quality of life for children and
young adults with disabilities.
The Family Resource Center on Disabilities is
located in Chicago. FRCD was organized in 1969 by parents, professionals, and
volunteers who sought to improve services for all children with disabilities. A
new Illinois law mandating the education of all children with disabilities by
1969 was the original impetus for their coming together - to inform and activate
parents on their newly won rights. New legislation - P.L. 94-142 in 1975; P.L.
99-457 in 1986; P.L. 101-476 (IDEA) in 1990; P.L.101-336 (ADA) in 1990; and P.L.
105-17, (IDEA Amendments) in 1997; - intensified the Center's efforts to educate
and train parents, professionals, and volunteers. In 1976, the Family Resource
Center on Disabilities (FRCD) became one of five pilot programs to operate a
parent center funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special
Education Programs. FRCD provides information, support, and training to parents
and professionals in the Chicago area. |
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