We are free service for parents, youth/young adults,  and professionals with questions about special education. It is staffed from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday, with trained volunteers and information specialists knowledgeable about federal / state special education laws and procedures as well as community resources.

The Information Center can help with questions about:

• eligibility for special education
• application procedures
• steps to obtain independent educational evaluations
• determining whether the child is making progress
• what to do if the child is not making progress
• the school’s responsibilities in the special education process
• the parent’s role as a member of the team
• maintaining a collaborative relationship with the school
• options for resolving differences with the school
• when to involve a parent consultant or advocate
• when to involve an attorney

The Federation for Children with Special Needs presents workshops throughout the year in communities across Massachusetts. All Parent Training and Information Center workshops are open to the public and free to attend.

Workshop Topics

Special education laws are complex, and we recommend that parents attend several PTI workshops to be fully apprised of their legal rights and responsibilities. Many parents find it useful to attend our workshops multiple times. A good place to start is our Special Education Basic Rights Series. All of our Basic Rights workshops provide foundational information on the rights of families under state and federal special education laws.  Visit our Training Catelog for more information.

By Loryn Cohen, Director of Development & Communications, Federation for Children with Special Needs

Like many nonprofits, FCSN is navigating the current grant funding landscape. As funding sunsets, we are adapting to the changing environment to ensure the needs of children and families we serve are met. We want to be clear with the families and partners we serve about what that means — and, just as importantly, what it does not.

We want to be clear: our IEP Clinics and Internship Programs will continue. Supporting families has always been at the heart of the Federation for Children with Special Needs — and that has not changed.

We are actively pursuing funding alternatives to ease the impact wherever we can.

If you have questions or need support, we are here for you. Please reach out to info@fcsn.org or call us at (617) 236-7210, and we will connect you with the right person.

Parent Consultant Training Institute (PCTI)! PCTI is an intensive training program designed to provide all families and professionals with a solid foundation in special education laws and procedures. Participants have the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, network with each other, and become part of a community dedicated to supporting children in special education. This course is open to people with all levels of experience and is a great starting place for those interested in bringing their advocacy to a higher level. Visit our PCTI page for more information 

Parents sometimes wonder what type of special education is right for their child with disabilities. Here we provide information and support for parents who are not sure where to turn if their child is struggling in school. When parents believe that their child’s complex educational needs are not being met, they may not know what their options are. Disagreements may occur between members of a child’s educational team about whether an alternative school placement should be considered.  Parents often feel alone and overwhelmed trying to navigate a complicated educational system to get their child’s needs met. This website aims to provide easily accessible, accurate information about how to identify the appropriate educational placement for your child.  For some families, this includes when private day or residential placement should be considered and what the process involves. We want parents to know what is possible.

Who can benefit from this information?

• Families of children receiving special education services (i.e., on an IEP or 504 Plan) but who do not feel that their child’s needs are being met;
• Parents who have questions about alternative options to their child’s current placement;
• Parents of children with complex needs who may require an alternative school program or private day school;
• Parents considering or already coping with residential placement for their child of any age (including adult children), and would like emotional support for the unique stressors of this experience;
• Professionals working with children with complex challenges wishing to better understand the perspective and needs of families considering and experiencing private placement.