Parent Consultant Training Institutes
Do you find yourself wishing you knew more about laws that support your child/student or that you wish you understood the Individual Education Program (IEP) process better or how to request a special education evaluation? Stop wishing and register for the “Parent Consultant Training Institute” near you!

The Parent Training and Information Center at the Federation for Children with Special Needs is offering an opportunity for Massachusetts parents and professionals to learn more about the state and federal Special Education laws and process. We believe that parents and professionals who understand the process are better able to collaborate effectively to develop supports and services that enable children/students with disabilities to succeed.

The extensive agenda includes speakers from the Massachusetts Department of Education, distinguished attorneys and other professionals in the field of special education. Some of the topics that are presented are: Federal (IDEA 2004) and State Law, Individual Education Program (IEP), Writing Measurable goals, objectives and benchmarks, Program Quality Assurance and the due process system, Access to the General Education Curricula, Evaluations, Positive Behavioral supports, Effective Communication, Transition for students 15-22 and more!

In addition, participants have the option, through an internship, to acquire the necessary skills to assist parents of children with special needs to effectively design and/or manage their children’s special education program. Participants who choose to meet the requirements of the internship are issued a Certificate of Completion, with which some professionals have been granted PDPs from their school districts. This Federation supervised internship requires 25 hours of phone consultation at a Federation site as well as 25 hours of advocacy at no fee based on Federation referrals. Participants who elect to only attend classroom sessions are issued a Certificate of Attendance.

Participants should possess knowledge of special education legislation or experience in working with parents of children with special needs.

Tuition for parents is $325, professionals $425. Limited scholarships are available for parents. You may elect to contact the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) at 617-770-7676 to apply for Consumer Empowerment Funds.

Download an application to attend a Parent Consultant Training Institute.

2008 Sessions
Space remains available for the fall Western MA Parent Consultant Training Institute. Please download and submit an application.
Training Dates
October 21, 23, 28, 30
November 4, 6, 13, 18, 2008
9-3 pm
Location – SCAN 360, 11 Wilbraham Road, 2nd floor, Springfield, MA 01109 (413) 731-3110
Please contact the Federation's Boston Office with any questions at 800-331-0688 or email Dotty Robison or Julie Sinclair.

2009 Sessions
To apply for the course, please download the application, or call the office and request that an application be sent to you. The phone number to call is 800-331-0688. For information regarding all the training sessions, please contact Dotty Robison:drobison@fcsn.org.

Boston, MA:
Winter, 2009: Tuesdays, 9-4, beginning Tuesday, 2/3. The last class is Tuesday, 3/31. The class will be held at the Federation office: 1135 Tremont St., Suite 420, Boston, MA 02120. The class will not meet on Tuesday, 2/17. Applications may be submitted no sooner than Monday, 12/15 and no later than Friday, January 23.

Central MA:
Spring, 2009: Thursdays, beginning 4/2. The last class will be Thursday, 5/28. The class will not meet on Thursday, 4/23. The location and class hours will be posted at a later date. Applications may be submitted no sooner than Monday, February 16 and no later than Friday, March 20.

Central MA:
Summer, 2009: Monday through Friday, June 22 – June 26. The class will meet from 9 – 4 each day. The location will be posted at a later date.

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