Designed primarily for secondary special education staff, the purpose of this online training module is to explore some of the unique strengths and challenges encountered when working with families and to provide a framework for supporting collaboration, overcoming barriers, and increasing mutual understanding in parent-professional partnerships. This interactive module details the family system framework and how it can be applied to transition planning. In addition, participants will better understand how family members go through the transition process and how practitioners can support each member of the family during this time. Numerous resources and materials for further content and implementation ...

This module was developed by the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN). This resource is a 508 compliant presentation featuring searchable presentation captioning and video, navigation points, and synchronized, downloadable accompanying materials. This unit goes through the IEP-building process and discusses the paraeducator's role in communicating with families and other staff to build a strong team that will help the student learn. The instructor gives examples of types of interactions with parents and staff that might occur, and gives suggestions that involve input from other paraeducators. The instructor has the user complete exercises in order to better understand ...

These eleven modules provide a range of opportunities for learning about effective collaboration in schools.  Among the topics are: (a) working with specialists to set up an accommodating classroom and effective instruction; (b) how the administrator and school colleagues can support  beginning teachers; (c) collaborating with families; (d) strategies for effective school improvement teams; (e) roles of the school counselor and school nurse in working with teachers and students; (f) teamwork in the prereferral process -- and more.  Case studies, activities, and InfoBriefs on collaboration are also available. .   On this and other topics, Vanderbilt University’s IRIS ...

A large number of online tutorials for parents and families are available on (a) various topics in special education; (b) transition from school to community; (c) trusts and special needs planning; (d) parent involvement in their childrenâ?s education. -- and more. Many tutorials were developed by the Family Network of Disabilities of Florida, while others were developed elsewhere. Most are suitable for participants in any State. Some tutorials are available en Espanol and in Creole. Free registration. (The Parent Network on Disabilities includes Floridaâ?s Region 3 Parent Training and Information Center, Parents of the Panhandle Information Network, the Florida State Parental Information ...

An extensive literature review of research, demonstration projects and effective practices covering a wide range of programs and services -- including lessons from youth development, quality education, and workforce development programs -- has identified core commonalities across the disciplines, programs, and institutional settings.  The Guideposts  point out that no one institution or organization can provide the full range of services; thus, highlighting the interdependence of agencies that requires communities, States, the federal government and multiple organizations at all levels to collaborate with one another in order to help assure quality transitions for all youth.  ...

The Wisconsin Personnel Development Model (WPDM) is designed to provide professional development activities that improve the knowledge and skills of service providers by the delivery of effective, sustained and outcome based professional development. These materials cover agendas, slides and handouts for presentations on (a) beginning school implementation; (b) framework appraisal; (c) resource mapping; (d) progress monitoring; (e) family involvement; and (f) the Wisconsin Personnel Development Model (which is specific to REACh).

In this toolkit, SEDL provides detailed explanations of the Title I, Part A, parental involvement provisions, as well as 33 tools to assist State departments of education, districts, and schools in meeting these requirements.  All of this is designed to help educators increase parental involvement and provide opportunities for parents to engage in and support their children's academic achievement. The toolkit includes information on (a) Policy, Planning, and Building Capacity; (b) Communication, Notification, Reporting, and Information Sharing; (c) Parent Rights and Options; (d) Meaningful Involvement and Decision Making; and (e) Fund Allocation.  Optional sign-in.  (The National ...

The Georgia Parent Mentorship Toolkit describes family engagement supports, trainings, resources and collaborative initiatives led by parents and educators who are positively impacting results for Georgia students.

These 15 videos for parents and families cover a range of topics, such as (a) tips on fathering; (b) guardianship; (c) individualized education program; (d) life after high school; (e) managing those forms; (f) tips for positive parenting; and nine others.  (In addition to other initiatives, FACETS operates Wisconsin’s Parent Training & Information Center and the Region 4 Parent Technical Assistance Center, both funded by the Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education.  The videos were developed in partnership with Wisconsin’s CESA 4 and CESA 7, the School District of LaCrosse, and local cable providers.)

This video provides a short introduction for parents about why the hospital is doing newborn hearing screening. The video is also available in Spanish.

Reading Rockets and the American Federation of Teachers have collaborated with Colorín Colorado-AFT  on this toolkit.  It includes background information on reaching out to Hispanic parents, four sample workshops, videos in Spanish and English, and bilingual handouts. (Colorín Colorado is an educational initiative of WETA public television and radio in Washington DC.  Major funding comes from the American Federation of Teachers, with additional support from the National Institute for Literacy and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs.)

These audio and video resources highlight specific tools and strategies for teaching dual language learners in Head Start and Early Head Start programs.   The topics are (a) Maintaining Relationships: Continuity in Early Head Start and Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Programs (webcast): (b) The Hispanic Population in the U.S. (video); (c)  Understanding the Hispanic Community in Your Area (video); and (d) Meeting the Needs of Hispanic Families (video).

Special Quest's focus is on inclusion for children with disabilities ages birth through five (pre-kindergarten) and their families, particularly those in Head Start, along with Child Care, Early Intervention/Part C, Early Childhood Special Education/619, family support, and other related programs. All materials within the SpecialQuest Multimedia Training Library to support the inclusion of children with disabilities ages birth through five are now available online for anyone to view or download. Materials include 22 award-winning videos (in English and Spanish), a facilitation guide, scripts, and handouts (in English and Spanish). The four volumes (or modules) include: 1) Including Infants ...

CSEFEL has developed an evidence-based, user-friendly parent training series of six sessions to help professionals working with parents promote positive and effective parenting behaviors. They are designed to give parents general information on key strategies that may be used with all children. A facilitatorâ?s guide, family workbook and six modules are available. The modules include PowerPoints, scripts, activities, and some include role plays. Some also include videos. Many of these materials are available in Spanish. (Located at Vanderbilt University, this Center is a five-year project funded by the Office of Head Start and Child Care Bureau, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, ...

This guide is a tool for empowering people to work together with an end goal of building family-school partnerships and student success.   For each of the six National Standards for Family-School Partnerships, the guide provides: (a) an explanation of the standard and its importance; (b) insights to help convince educators of the standardâ?s value; (c) a success story from a school community; (d) action steps for your school community; and (e) resources to enhance your understanding.  You can click at the left for an online version of each section, or you can download the full guide as a PDF.  (With headquarters in Chicago, the National PTA is the largest volunteer child ...

You can use these modules to support leadership development among parents of children and youth with disabilities.  The modules have been field-tested through leadership orientations with parents from across the United States who were invited to participate because of their interest in expanding their leadership knowledge, skills and opportunities.  The ten modules cover a variety of topics, including (a) defining parent leadership; (b) critical elements of collaboration; (c) stages of group development; (d) tips for leading effective meetings; (e) understanding conflict; (f) solving problems in groups -- and others.  The PowerPoints include preparation, information ...

The Parent Information Center of Delaware offers audio conferences on topics relevant to the education of typical children and children with disabilities.  As of late 2009, 13 audios are available on a range of topic of concern to parents, such as (a) understanding school educational and psychological evaluations; (b) individualized education program; (c) accommodations; (d) mediation (e) response to intervention; and eight more.  (Located in Wilmington, Delaware’s Parent Training and Information Center is funded by the Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education.)

At this webinar archive, you can access recordings and materials from the Technical Assistance Partnership's web-based learning opportunities.  You can search webinars by topic and register for upcoming webinars.   This resource covers such topics as (a) coordination and collaboration; (b) cultural and linguistic competence; (c) evaluation; (d) family involvement; (e) juvenile justice; (f) Medicaid; (g) mental health; (h) rural mental health; (i) systems of care management; (j) trauma and crisis; (k) tribal communities -- and others.  (The Technical Assistance Partnership is a project of the American Institutes for Research, Washington DC.  It is funded through the ...