Statewide Parent Training Information Center Formerly known as

Statewide Parent Training & Information Center Formerly known as Education of All Handicapped Children Act, in 1975 Congress passed a bill, called Public Law 94 -142. It’s goal was to insure all children with disabilities receive a free, appropriate, public education, (FAPE), in the least restrictive environment (LRE). Today it is known as IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. PTI’s were born Funded by a federal grant program through the Office of Special Education Programs. All 50 states have a Parent Training & Information Center, some have more depending on the populous.

Our Vision § To promote exceptional quality of life for individuals with disabilities. …by committing, on a statewide level, to improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities through support to their families and their school districts; promoting a ‘community’ environment in which the child can thrive.

Our Goal That the 500, 000 children and teens with disabilities living in Arkansas will – § Achieve higher educational goals § Connect with other like minded individuals on similar life journeys § Live fuller, happier lives

Our Role § As parent mentors, it is our role to empower parents of children with disabilities with the necessary tools to become their child’s advocate. § As advocates, it is our role to ‘stand in the gap’, to create a bridge of communication between the parents, school teachers and the administration in the educational issues that arise. § As parent mentors, it is our job to support teens with disabilities in their transition to adulthood.

Our Staff & Board of Directors § OSEP requires that we employ mainly persons with disabilities or parents of children with disabilities. § Six staff persons geographically located across the state. § Multi-cultural Specialist, who travels to all five regions of the state to provide support and training to our Hispanic population. § Our Board of Directors is required to be 51% parents of children with disabilities or self-advocating adults with disabilities. The remaining portion of our board is comprised of similar minded stakeholders, representing all geographical regions across the state. Currently there are seven board members. § TCFEF Ambassadors- $$$$

We advocate with heart!

Our Regions - 1. Sue Mc. Quay Northeast Arkansas (870) 219. 4386 sue. mcquay@tcfef. org 2. Frances Johnson (Se habla Español) East Central Arkansas (501) 398. 1646 frances. johnson@tcfef. org 3. Associate Director, Lakesha Whitman Southeast Arkansas (870) 897. 4173 lakesha. whitman@tcfef. org 4. Robin Thomas Southwest Arkansas (501) 398. 1667 robin. thomas@tcfef. org 5. Loreena Hegenbart North Central Arkansas (870) 897. 4175 loreena. hegenbart@tcfef. org 7. Divided among 5 parent mentors Northwest Arkansas (888) 360. 9654 staff@tcfef. org

Our Workshop Catalogue § Effective Advocacy for Parents § The Transition to Kindergarten § The Basics of IDEA § The 1, 2, 3’s of the 504 § T. A. C. T - Test Acronyms Create Tension § Understanding the IEP – A Page by Page Perspective § The Journey to Adulthood § Getting and Keeping That First Job § …more to come!

Our Contact Information Facebook/ Exceptional. Families Website: www. tcfef. org Telephone: (888) 360 -9654 or (870) 336 -3012