Special Program Providing Empowerment & Support for Families
Lori Bradford
For parents of children with special needs, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a document all too familiar as it reoccurs throughout a child’s academic journey. This important tool can feel overwhelming and confusing as you navigate a process with language that you may not understand. Not knowing the meanings behind a Prior Written Notice (PWN), Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), or what the difference is between an accommodation and a modification can make the steps seem more daunting and cause stress. A solution for more information on the subject: your local library.
Neuse Regional Libraries are vital community centers that provide programs and services to help enrich the lives of those served. Public libraries help foster life-long learning in a shared space meant for inclusion and diverse populations. Access to information is the foundation of libraries, which is why the Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC) is partnering with Neuse Regional Libraries to present a session led by a parent educator on the process of IEP’s. This will take place at the Etta Jones Turner Pink Hill Public Library on Friday, July 24, at 5:00 p.m. The program’s goal is to help parents become advocates for their children, so they can feel prepared and confident when it matters most. This session will also be beneficial for educators new or needing a refresher on the process of IEPs.
The goal of the ECAC is to take away some of the stress that exists in special education. Created in 1984 by Connie Hawkins and Frank Graziadei, the ECAC is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the lives and education of children with disabilities and special health care needs. The organization provides support through information, training, and resources to assist families. When you call their number for assistance, the ECAC’s Parent Educators are the ones who answer, and they too are parents of children with special needs, so there is an immediate connection with someone who can understand.
Join us on Friday, July 24 to learn about special education vocabulary, your role as a guardian in IEP meetings, and important questions to ask throughout the process. Please contact library staff at 252-568-3631 for more information or to register. To connect with the ECAC directly, please visit https://www.ecac-parentcenter.org/ or call 800-962-6817.
