CPAC Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center
Connecticut's Resource for Children with Disabilities Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center
Connecticut's Resource for Children with Disabilities;
Empowering and Educating Families

What's New

JUST RELEASED: REVISED PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS NOTICE!

CPAC IS HIRING A BILINGUAL (ENGLISH/SPANISH) PARENT CONSULTANT!

CPAC is hiring! We are in search of a Bilingual Parent Consultant to add to our team. See job posting below or apply on Indeed here. 
» Bilingual Parent Consultant Position

IDEA Part B Grant Annual State Application

The Connecticut Department of Education has posted the Annual State Application Under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as amended in 2004 for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY 21) available for public inspection through May 2, 2021.  

This application contains assurances that Connecticut is in compliance with the IDEA Reauthorization of 2004, thus making Connecticut eligible for federal financial assistance.  The application also contains a description of the use of federal funds that the state receives from the IDEA Part B grant for administrative and other state activities. Visit the CT State Department of Education website for more information.

Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) - How to File a Complaint

The Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recently released a technical assistance video, How to File a Complaint, to help parents, families, students, and stakeholders better understand how they can file a complaint with OCR. This resource provides clear and concise direction on how an individual may bring incidents of potential discrimination to the attention of OCR and includes information on deadlines, ways to provide the required information to OCR, and potential outcomes of complaint investigations.

UConn Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

UConn Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities needs to hear from families of young children (aged Birth to 5) so they can understand their needs during the COVID -19 pandemic and what they might need when this is all over as we all recover from these challenges. Connecticut is the recipient of a grant that will focus on the resiliency of very young children and their families. Your help in filling out this survey will help CT providers have better tools, materials and programs to help meet the needs identified in this survey of CT families. We hope you will take the two minutes it will take to fill out the survey to help serve families in CT. Thank you for your time and help.
» Provide Feedback

Updated Guidance Regarding A.R. v. CT State Board of Education

A recent memorandum from the Connecticut State Board of Education contains important information related to school districts’ responsibilities related to the June 10, 2020 United States District Court ruling that extended student’s IDEA eligibility, who have not received a regular high school diploma, until their 22nd birthday.
» Download Guidance Update

Return to Learning Playlist to Communicate for Students and Families

This playlist can prepare students and families for the return to learning by engaging in flexible, online and offline resources provided by three CSDE partners; CT Public Television, Wide Open School and Yale University Department.
» Download Flyer

Frequently Asked Questions re Covid-19

For Families: Frequently Asked Questions About Special Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
CPAC compiled this document with the most frequently asked questions from families at this time. The document will be updated as new information becomes available.
» Download Frequently Asked Questions for Families

Informational update for week three of school closure

As we begin the third week of statewide school classroom closure, here is some updated information:

• Our newly created Special Education COVID-19 webpage
• Our professional series to Families and Districts (Please share with your educators and families). Access the content on the CT.gov website or view the PDF content below:
  Professional Support Series for Districts
  Professional Support Series for Families
• Communication to LEAs related to the SEDAC Desk Audit, BSE File Review, Summary of Performance and SEDA Off Cycle Reporting
• Memo related to Student Data Privacy
• Medicaid and Teletherapy Document

Continued Educational Opportunities and Special Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Bryan Klimkiewicz, Special Education Division Director for the CT Department of Education has released new guidance to school districts related to the provision of special education during this health emergency. Please note that it is a working document and will be updated regularly as things change. CPAC will be discussing this guidance with Bryan online on Friday. Check in to our facebook page for updates on timing. In the meantime, please feel free to send any questions you may have to [email protected] and we will do our best to get you answers. Our parent consultants are also available at (860) 739-3089. Be well.
» Guidance Presentation re Covid-19

COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") Update

COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel. Please visit the U.S. Department of Education website for the latest updates and resources: https://www.ed.gov/coronavirus.

For the latest from the Connecticut check https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus for important and up-to-date information on Connecticut's response efforts in regard to COVID-19.

CPAC is Requesting Your Feedback

Have your voice heard!
As Connecticut’s Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center we are here to serve families with children with disabilities, youth with disabilities, and professionals in the field by offering a variety of services. We regularly ask for feedback regarding the services we provide so we are sure that we are meeting the needs of families, youth, and professionals in Connecticut. Please complete the following four question survey and have your voice heard at the CPAC planning table. Results are anonymous. We thank you for your support!
» Take the survey in English
» Take the survey in Spanish

Bristol, Spring 2020

THE NEXT STEPS TRAINING WILL BE HELD ONLINE ON TUESDAY EVENINGS BEGINNING MARCH 17TH, THROUGH MAY 12TH, 2020. EACH SESSION BEGINS PROMPTLY AT 6:00 P.M. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS MARCH 15. APPLICATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL AND PARTICIPATION AT ALL EIGHT SESSIONS IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS, PLEASE CALL THE CONNECTICUT PARENT ADVOCACY CENTER AT (860) 739-3089 OR EMAIL LISA AT [email protected].
Download the flyer for this series

Stress: Family Caregivers of Children with Disabilities by Bureau Bulletin

Family caregivers play an essential role within the national health care system. Read this important brief from the Collaboratory on School and Child Health regarding stress and family caregivers.
Read the brief

Connecticut Family School Partnerships (CFSP)

The goal of the Connecticut Family School Partnerships (CFSP) is to improve student social, emotional and academic outcomes through strong family, school, and community partnerships.
CPAC has partnered with the African Caribbean American Parents of Children with Disabilities (AFCAMP), Capitol Region Education Council (CREC), Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) and State Education Resource Center (SERC) to form this Statewide Family Engagement Center.
Visit the ct-fsp.org website

New Guidance on Timelines for Evaluations

The Bureau of Special Education is issuing updated guidance on the timeline for initial special education evaluations in the state of Connecticut. The December 21, 2018 guidance memorandum titled Timelines for Initial Evaluation is rescinded and effective immediately is being replaced with the following: This guidance is being issued to clarify the requirements for the initial evaluation timeline. Conducting timely evaluations is an integral part of our commitment to each student’s right to a free and appropriate public education.
Download the updated guidance

Education Committee Roundtable on Equity in Special Education

The Education Committee held a roundtable to discuss equity in special education. CPAC was invited to be part of this important conversation.
Watch the discussion here.
Watch the discussion here