What is a Parent Training and Information Center?
Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center is a Parent Training and Information Center (PTI).
Funded through the U.S. Department of Education under the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA), each state is required to have a PTI to provide training and
assistance to families of children with disabilities as well as professionals working
with those children.
PTIs serve families of children with any disability or chronic illness, ages birth to 26.
Parent Centers provide a variety of services including one-on-one support and assistance,
workshops, publications, and websites. The majority of Parent Center staff and board
members are parents of children with disabilities who have training in, and personal
experience with, the law and disability issues.
FREE TELEPHONE ASSISTANCE
CPAC operates a call in service for families and professional in need of information related to students with disabilities and education. Trained parent consultants are available to take calls M-F 9 am to 4pm. If a consultant is not available when you call most calls will be returned within one to two business days.
PRESCHOOL PATHFINDERS
CPAC Staff provide 1-1 support to families transitioning out of Connecticut's early intervention program, Birth to Three, and others who are pursuing referrals to their public school preschool special education services. Support will be provided to families facing challenges and who need help building relationships and understanding of the new processes. Click here to download a brochure.
DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF CT (DS ACT) IEP Mentoring Program
This program is funded by DS ACT to support their member families in learning how to be effective advocates for their children. Member families are given a Parent Coach to do 1-1 training sessions in person or on the phone related to reading the IEP, describing their child's needs and communicating with professionals. Membership in the DS ACT organization is required. For more information please contact CPAC: (860) 739-3089.
Additional Information
Every PTI is supported by the Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR).
To view information about other PTIs or to find a PTI in your state, please visit the
CPIR website.
The
Center for Parent Information and Resources
also has an informative fact sheet explaining the role of Parent Training and
Information Centers entitled,
"PTIs and CPRCs: Resources for Parents."