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Kites in the Sky

Resources for Families with Children with Disabilities

These resources were approved at the California State PTA Convention and have been adapted for the Thirty-Third District PTA.

Parent Training Information Centers and
Community Parent Resource Centers

California has seven federal funded Parent Training Information Centers and two Community Parent Resource Centers that offer support to families with children with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).​​ 

Parent Training Information Centers (PTIs) 
PTIs are funded by the US Department of Education and serve families of children and young adults from birth to age 26 with all disabilities: physical, cognitive, emotional, and learning. They help families: 

  • Obtain appropriate education and services for their children with disabilities​

  • Work to improve education results for all children

  • Train and inform parents and professionals on a variety of topics

  • Resolve problems between families and schools or other agencies

  • Connect children with disabilities to community resources that address their needs

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In Thirty-Third District, our PTI is Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK): 

100 W. Cerritos Ave.

Anaheim, CA 92805

866-828-8275

714-533-8275


Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs) 
​CPRCs do the same work as the PTIs, but they focus on reaching underserved parents of children with disabilities, such as those with low income or those with limited English proficiency.​ 

 

Serving Thirty-Third District families is Chinese Parents Association for the Disabled:

P.O. Box 2884
San Gabriel, CA 91778-2884

626-307-3837​

Family Empowerment Centers

​California has 32 state funded Family Empowerment Centers (FEC) for students with disabilities aged 3-22. FECs are parent-led nonprofit organizations offering specialized training, peer-to-peer support, information, and referral services. FECs help parents to better understand their child’s educational and developmental needs, effectively communicate with service providers, and participate in school reform and improvement activities. FECs also serve as a resource for the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process, promote alternative dispute resolutions, and support positive relationships between parents and professionals. Services available through each FEC vary based on the needs of the community. 

 

Find one in your county or Los Angeles region at Seeds of Partnership.​

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FECs

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Family Resource Centers

​California has 47 state-funded Early Start Family Resource Centers (FRCs) for families with children with disabilities aged 0-3. FRCs offer parent-to-parent support and help parents, families, and children locate and use needed services. They offer support in many languages, often including newsletters, resource libraries, websites, parent-to-parent groups, sibling support groups, warmlines, and information.

​

Find one in your area at Family Resource Centers Network of California.​

Special Education Local Plan Area

​Since 1977, all school districts and county school offices in California have been required to form geographical regions known as Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). There are 136 SELPAs in California. SELPA governance structures vary in form, including models for Multi-District SELPAs, Multi-District/County Office SELPAs, Single District SELPAs, Multi-District/Multi-County SELPAs, County SELPAs with Joint Powers Agreements, and Charter only SELPAs. Each SELPA's comprehensive Local Plan describes how it provides special education services. The SELPA Administrators of California is a statewide association made up of SELPA administrators. SELPA also provides IDEA Part C education services for infants and toddlers not covered by regional center eligibility. Every SELPA is required to have a Community Advisory Committee consisting of at least 50% parents. 

 

Find your SELPA at California Special Education Local Plan Areas. 

Regional Centers

California's 21 regional centers are community-based nonprofits funded with state and federal dollars. They provide services under the Lanterman Act (1969) for nearly 400,000 Californians with developmental disabilities (approximately one percent of the population). Often regional centers act as the case manager, to ensure individual consumers have access to generic services, such as special education, health care, and county-based benefits. Regional centers also provide IDEA Part C education services for infants and toddlers.

 

Find your regional center at the Department of Developmental Services.

 

Clients Rights Advocates are funded by the state to support families with access to services.

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For more information on regional centers, see Association of Regional Center Agencies and Regional Center 101.

Support with IEPs, Parents Rights, and Resolving Disagreement

Parents can find support for IEPs at their PTI or FEC. Regional centers often also offer an IDEA specialist. SELPA also often can offer advice on dispute resolution.

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If the family is seeking a professional advocate or attorney, here are some resources:

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Local Support

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Difference Between a 504 Plan and IEP

Additional Resources

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