Projects & Services

PARENT TRAINING AND INFORMATION (PTI)

The Parent Training and Information (PTI) project is the "heart" of the Utah Parent Center and has been continuously funded since 1984. This project is funded by grant #H328M020032 from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA 2004). Project activities are designed to respond to the training and information needs identified by Utah's approximate 65,000 parents of children and youth with disabilities.

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The UPC's model is based on several strategies to deliver information and training and to develop skills.

ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTATIONS

The majority of our peer support is provided through one-on-one phone consultations. When you call our Center, you will be connected with one of our Parent Consultants, each of whom are themselves a parent of a child with a disability. Our Consultants can help you:

• work with your child's school to advocate for appropriate services,understand your rights and responsibilities,
• find resources through information and referral,
• make connections with other families and resources in your community, and
• receive support.

LENDING AND RESOURCE LIBRARY

The Utah Parent Center has an extensive lending library available for your use. Books that we have cover many topics including: advocacy, autism, behavior, parenting, policy on deposits, school issues, and specific disabilities.

COMMUNITY RESOURCE VOLUNTEERS (CRVs)

CRVs are serving in many communities throughout Utah. Each volunteer is provided training, resource information, and staff support to help them reach and assist parents of children with disabilities/special needs in their area. Some of the activities in which Community Resource Volunteers (CRVs) have chosen to be involved include:

• Attend IEP meetings
• Serve as a support person to parents of children with disabilities/special needs.
• Gather information about services available in their area and help parents access those services for the children and families
• Provide support and assistance to parent support groups in their area.
• Actively work to promote a positive, effective partnership between the parents, their school, and other professionals that serve their child.

WANT TO BE A COMMUNITY RESOURCE VOLUNTEER?

If you are interested in serving as a Community Resource Volunteer for the Utah Parent Center in your area, please contact the Utah Parent Center.

WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS

We provide the following training workshops and presentations*:

• Utah Parent Center - Orientation on Services and Programs
  This brief presentation provides parents and professionals with information on the services and programs provided by the Utah Parent Center. In this presentation, participants will learn what the UPC staff can do to help them and their families.
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• Parents as Partners in the IEP Process
  Parents are important members of the IEP team. They can and want to be effective partners with other members of the team in developing and delivering special education programs for their student with disabilities. However, they often lack information. This workshop will help parents understand their role, rights and responsibilities in the IEP process. They will learn how to effectively prepare for, participate in and follow-up on IEP meetings held on behalf of their student. Trainers who are parents of children with disabilities will present information.
  Click here to view the IEP Parent Handbook - Parents as Partners in the IEP Process.
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• Constructive Communication Tools to Communicate with Professionals
  Some of the most important skills – or “tools” – needed by parents and all team members are good communication skills. In this interactive workshop, participants will learn and practice 5 basic skills that can lay the foundation for the effective exchange of ideas and information. We’ll also learn the principles of interest-based negotiation. Effective relationships often employ constructive communication – the kind that builds effective teamwork. Everyone will want these tools in their toolbox!
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• From "NO Where" to "KNOW Where" - Transition to Adult Services
  As families of youth and young adults with disabilities, we have learned many things – but most of us admit that we have much more to learn. The transition to adult life can leave you feeling you are “NO Where” – totally lost! Get to “KNOW Where” by learning about transition planning and related issues.
  Click here to view the Parent Handbook – From ‘NO’ Where to ‘KNOW’ Where.
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• Section 504 - The OTHER Service Option
  What do parents need to know about Section 504? It is important for parents of students with disabilities and special needs to have information and an understanding of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Understanding the provisions of this important law can help parents be effective partners in working with schools to meet the educational needs of their student with disabilities.
  Click here to view the Section 504 Parent Handbook.
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• STRESS - and What to Do About It!!!
  YES…WE FEEL STRESS! In this workshop we explore some of the things that “make us crazy” – the unique stressors related to living with a child with a disability (or working in the field of disability)…but more importantly, we’ll learn and practice some techniques to help you deal with the stress! These interactive session will benefit all participants by helping them understand STRESS and What to Do About It!!!
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• Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
  The purpose of this workshop is to introduce families to a new way of thinking about their child’s behaviors and about the need to advocate for behavioral interventions and supports. The workshop introduces and provides an overview of the concepts of functional assessment and positive interventions and supports. (It is not designed to teach how-to skills in these areas.)
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• How to Successfully Advocate and Negotiate Within Public Service Systems - Interest-Based Negotiation and Advocacy Skills Training
  Managing Conflict in one’s personal or professional life--starts with you! This training teaches participants step-by -step strategies of how to overcome conflict, manage your emotions, work together for the best solutions, find the proper resources, and take concerns to the next level. This process is called Interest-Based Negotiation. It is a process that should improve (not damage) relationships and allow everyone to come to an agreement that is satisfying to all parties involved.
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• Gifts and Challenges - Having a Child with Special Needs in Your Family
  FOR PARENTS: Having a child with special needs is a wonderful experience that many of us did not anticipate. We find ourselves experiencing a different life from what we expected. Join us to explore some of the unique “gifts and challenges” that are ours. Participants will get and give wonderful ideas for recognizing and appreciating gifts, managing the challenges, understanding and coping with feelings, recognizing how our emotions impact our interactions with professionals, and much more!
  FOR EDUCATORS/PROFESSIONALS: Professionals will gain insight and understanding of the experiences parents of children with disabilities. Join us to explore some of the unique “gifts” that families receive and “challenges” that families face. Participants will get and give wonderful ideas for recognizing and appreciating gifts, managing the challenges, understanding and coping with feelings, recognizing how parents’ emotions impact their interactions with professionals, and much more!
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* Content may vary based on the needs of the audience, the presenter(s), and the amount of time allotted for the training. Training will be presented by trainers who are parents of children with disabilities who are staff of the Utah Parent Center (UPC). Teams of parent trainers, personnel from the local school district, Utah Personnel Development Center (UPDC), and/or the Special Education Section of the Utah State Office of Education (USOE) may co-present some workshops.

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FAMILY TO FAMILY HEALTH INFORMATION AND EDUCATION CENTER

The overall purpose of Utah's Family to Family Health Information and Education Center at the Utah Parent Center has been to improve access to quality care and to provide support for children and their families with special health care needs in their communities by empowering families with information and advocacy.

This intensified focus began in 2004, the Center began assisting families to ensure that they can make informed choices about their living environment, service providers, types of supports, and the manner in which supports are provided. This is accomplished by: providing education, information, and training to families. These activities have been conducted through a partnership with Utah Family Voices. We have been collaborating with community, state, and national agencies and systems level organizations that serve children with special health care needs and their families to promote the philosophy of individual and family-directed supports.

UTAH'S FAMILY TO FAMILY NETWORK

The Utah Parent Center contracts with the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (Department of Human Services) for Utah's Family to Family Network, a grassroots volunteer organization composed of family members from across the state that have a relative with a disability. The mission of the Family to Family Network is: to education, strengthen, and support families of persons with disabilities.

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• local monthly meetings,
• information and referral,
• family to family support
• advocacy for families, and
• helping families understand how to work with the Division of Services for People with disabilities.

Click here to visit: www.utahfamilytofamilynetwork.org for more information.

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AUTISM INFORMATION RESOURCES

The Utah Parent Center received resources and a lending library from the Autism Society of Utah when it closed in 2003 to assist families of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

When parents call the Center, they can expect to receive information on Autism Spectrum Disorders, peer support, and access to various resource lists (also found on the Resources and Materials page of this website).

Click here to view the Autism Resource Lists.