Navigate and Empower: Special Education Training Series
What is this training series about?
The Navigate and Empower: Special Education Training Series is a free training designed for parents and others who want to enhance their own advocacy skills and gain the knowledge and skills to support other parents of children with disabilities in the special education process.
This 7 session training consists of a combination of in-person and live, on-line sessions via Zoom. In between classes, participants are expected to watch on-line modules, review written material and other tasks to prepare for in-class discussions and activities. Since we can only accommodate a limited number of participants, an application is required and acceptance is not guaranteed.
What will I learn?
The training topics include:
- In-depth review of the NH Standards for the Education of Children with Disabilities
- Strategies for Effective Communication and Collaboration
- Using Evaluations to Develop Stronger Individualized Education Plans
- Discipline Procedures for Children with Disabilities
- Procedural Safeguards and Dispute Resolution Options
- How to Support Other Families in the Special Education Process
Program Requirements
Spring 2025 Series
Saturdays – March 8th, April 5th and May 3rd
* In-person in Concord, NH
9:30am – 3:30pm
Tuesdays – March 19th, March 26th, April 16th, April 23rd
Online
5:30pm – 7:30pm
*Attendance at all in-person sessions is required
Application Acceptance Process
Preference is given to parents of children/youth with disabilities and to applicants from areas or populations currently underrepresented in PIC’s network, including people who speak languages other than English. Consistent with our goal of providing free support to parents of children with disabilities, PIC does not accept professional advocates (those who charge a fee, or intend to charge a fee, for their services) into the VA program. Other factors used in determining acceptance into the program include:
- 3 references (1 professional reference)
- A telephone or Zoom interview
- A volunteer agreement that includes acknowledging your willingness to support PIC and that you may not charge for the support you provide to other families
Why should I take this training series?
“I looked forward to the class each week. The support and resources that I received from my classmates was invaluable!”
“I have gained knowledge, confidence and empowerment from the course and am ready to help other parents”
“Our relationship with PIC has led to improved educational outcomes for students in our school, better relationships between parents and the rest of the teams, resolving disputes in the least adversarial manner and most importantly, informed parents attending team meetings.”