THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT at PHP provides a wide range of services to help parents better understand, support and advocate for their children in special education programs. The Department is staffed by parent education specialists who assist parents by conducting workshops and trainings, distributing informative materials and providing one-on-one consultations with parents in Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz and San Joaquin counties.
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing: to search for any California teacher's credential click here.
Pete and Pam Wright of 
are coming to PHP on March 19, 2008.
Seating is limited so do not delay, register today! Click here for more information and to register.
WORKSHOPS
Parents Helping Parents conducts workshops for parents and professionals on a variety of issues related to disabilities. For a complete list of workshop topics, contact the Education Department.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does the Education Department staff at PHP go with parents to their IEP meetings?
Education Department staff can refer parents to lists of special education advocates and attorneys, but PHP Education staff do not go out to parents' IEPs as advocates. Our goal is to give parents the tools they need to advocate for their children.
PLEASE NOTE: Parents of children at
How can I find a Special Education Advocate or Attorney to help me with my child's IEP?
Parents Helping Parents has a Resource Directory where you can search for advocates and attorneys. Click here for the PHP Resource Directory. Also, COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates) maintains a database of advocates and attorneys. Click here to go to their site.
When I leave a message for the Education Department, how long will it take until they return my call?
An Education Specialist will do their best to return your call within 48 hours. You may contact the Education Department at PHP by telephone at (408) 727-5775 or toll free (866)747-4040.
How can I get the school district to evaluate my child?
Use our Special Education Request Letter Writer to create a letter requesting an assessment. If you are concerned that your child is behind his peers in a specific developmental area and you would like to see if the school district might offer services that would address the issue, then this tool will help you write a letter that gets results!
What is an e-packet?
E-Packets are lists of websites organized by topics related to special education laws and Individual Education Programs (IEPs).
For a list of e-packets and how to request them, click here.
What is an IEP Preparation Tool?
This tool is designed to help parents to organize their thoughts and records before attending an IEP meeting, so that ideally they enter the meeting feeling prepared.
Try it out now- click here!
How can I get information on current legislation?
For up-to-date information regarding current legislation for families of children with special needs, click here.
What is SELPA?
The Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) coordinates with school districts and the
What is a
Each state is home to at least one parent center. Parent centers serve families of children and young adults from birth to age 22 with all disabilities: physical, cognitive, emotional, and learning.
For a complete list of state Parent Centers, click here.
Where are the
For a list of California Parent Organizations providing resources for families of children with disabilities, click here.
Where can I get disability resources for other states?
Is there childcare provided at Education Trainings?
Unless specifically noted in a training description, there is no childcare provided at Education Trainings.
How much does it cost to attend an Education training?
PHP Education Department trainings are available to everyone at no cost. Donations are gladly accepted. Sometimes we host trainings that do charge a fee; however, those charges are on a sliding scale, and families can ask for any fee to be waived.
Scholarships are currently available for low-income families to reimburse parents of children with disabilities to attend local trainings, support groups and/ or conferences pertaining to disability related topics.
These scholarships will cover conference fees, travel expenses, childcare, and lost wages up to $50/ day. Please contact the Education Department for more scholarship information at (408) 727-5775.
Online Trainings
Here are links to online trainings available free of charge:
CalStat Online IEP Training:
This training is designed to guide professionals through the challenge of writing IEP goals and objectives that are based on California’s state standards. Parents are welcome to access the training as well. It provides guidance for writing IEP goals that directly apply to the mandates of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as amended in 2004, and are tied to standards, are student focused and are measurable.
This self-paced training includes a pre-test, post-test, certificate of completion and take approximately five to six hours to successfully complete.
Section 504 Training: This online training will introduce you to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This training is designed to provide you with an understanding of the law, how it applies to educational programs and to students with disabilities. It is very important to be aware of the laws and understand their mandates, however this training in not intended to serve as legal advice. The training’s question-answer format allows you to identify issues quickly.
Should you need immediate assistance or a parent-to-parent contact please phone PHP's office at (408) 727-5775. PHP provides a forum for parents and professionals to get information. PHP does not promote or recommend any treatment, therapy, institution or professional.
 |
 |
|
 |
More events... | |