Our Mission
The mission of the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center is to educate, support, and empower Connecticut's families of children and youth with any disability or chronic conditions, ages birth to 26, and the professionals who serve them.
CPAC is committed to supporting each and every Connecticut family and youth with disabilities in understanding and learning to advocate for rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). We advocate at the federal, state, and local levels to help remove barriers that families and youth face when advocating for appropriate support and services.
CPAC is a nonprofit organization that provides information, training, individual assistance, and resources. CPAC is not a legal firm or a legal service agency, and as such, the information contained on this website is provided for the purpose of informing the reviewer, but should not be considered as a means of taking the place of legal advice that must be obtained through an attorney. CPAC may be able to assist you in identifying an attorney in your area, but cannot provide direct referrals.
Our Vision
All families will have the confidence, knowledge and understanding they need to effectively advocate for their children and to partner with professionals to ensure the children and youth grow and learn to their full potential.
CPAC receives many questions about who we are and what we do and don't do. Here are some frequently asked questions about our organization:
» CPAC FAQ 2025
» CPAC FAQ Spanish 2025
WHAT'S NEW
Summer 2026 Next STEPS: Parent Leadership Training Series
Mondays and Wednesdays
June 29th through July 27th
Classes will meet on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9:30 am to 11:00 am
This intensive series is designed to help parents and professionals gain the skills and knowledge necessary for them to be effective members at the Planning and Placement Team meeting (PPT). This training series will prepare participants for a variety roles at the school, district, regional or state level. Participants will learn about the law related to education as well as state and federal level initiatives that impact students with disabilities and their education.
For more information click the link! https://cpacinc.org/programs-next-steps.aspx
How We Help
Every day, CPAC's Parent Consultants provide individual training, support and empowerment for parents and professionals who reach out to us with questions about the education of their children and students. We provide training programs at no cost to families and educators across the state. We make available a wide range of accessible online training and information on our website and through social media. We work with a wide range of partners to reach out to families, youth and educators to find and address the issues in the education and transition of students and young people from birth through age 26. CPAC is staffed by parents of children with disabilities who have training in and personal experience with the law and disability issues.
Online Learning
Opportunities
Webinars, Videos and
Modules.
Hot
Topics
Technology, school climate & bullying, inclusion, literacy, and more.
Newsletters &
Publications
Newsletters from CPAC and a Guide to Educational Terms (in English and Spanish).
Special
Education 101
Communication, eligibility, evaluation, legal rights, and more.
Key
Resources
Parent Support, Connecting Connecticut, Disability Specific and more
NEW Individualized
Education Program (IEP)
The IEP is the foundation for a student's education.
State & Federal
Resources
State and Federal Laws Supporting Students with Disabilities
Families & Schools
Working Together
Practices and Tools for Schools and Families
upcoming events
Summer Book Study: Dyslexia Advocate! (Second Edition)
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
9:30-10:30 AM
No cost
Summer Book Study: Dyslexia Advocate! (Second Edition)
Join us this summer for a four-week virtual book study as we read and discuss Dyslexia Advocate!, by Kelli Sandman-Hurley. Together, families and professionals will build knowledge about dyslexia, special education, IEPs, advocacy, and effective school partnerships in a supportive learning community. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, educator, or professional, this series will provide practical tools, shared learning, and meaningful conversation to support students with dyslexia.
**The first 20 registered participants will receive a separate email from CPAC with instructions to claim their free copy of Dyslexia Advocate!: Second Edition — available in either Kindle or paperback format.**
When: Every Tuesday in July (July 7 – July 28, 2026)
Time 9:30 – 10:30 AM
Weekly Topics:
July 7th, Week 1
Chapters 1 & 2
- What is Dyslexia?
- IDEA: The Basics
July 14th, Week 2
Chapters 3 & 4
- What to Do When You Suspect Dyslexia
- The IEP Meeting
July 21st, Week 3
Chapters 5 & 6
- What Does a Good IEP Look Like?
- After the IEP: Keep Your Eye on the Ball
July 28th, Week 4
Chapters 7 & 8
- Section 504
- Communicating with the School
**Chapters 9 & 10 will be incorporated throughout the series**
> Register for event