Parent & Educator Connection

Who Are We?

The Parent & Educator Connection (PEC) provides parents and educators with opportunities to work together in positive ways to improve educational programs for children/youth with special needs.

The PEC operates through each of the Area Education Agencies and is part of a statewide network. We consist of Parent & Educator Facilitators (parents of children with special needs), an Educator Representative (special education division staff member), and an area-wide steering committee (parents and educators.)

The Parent & Educator Connection works to develop and sustain effective partnerships between families, educators, and community providers to promote success for all children and youth with disabilities.
 

What Can We Do For Parents and Educators?

• Provide support for families and educators through personal or phone contact.
• Link families and educators with needed services and resources.
• Assist parent and educator support groups.
• Conduct workshops on various subjects for families and educators.
• Provide books, pamphlets and video audio tapes on issues regarding special education, parenting and disabilities.
• Provide a newsletter, "Partners," which provides helpful articles and information on current issues.
• Network with other agencies and programs who work with families and educators.
• Connect families and educators with similar needs and interests.
• Provide "Parent Information Packets" to families.
• Provide financial support to families to attend workshops and conferences.
   

IEP/Special Education Resources:

Procedural Safeguards - Early Intervention
Procedural Safeguards - Special Education

Click here for Parent Resource Directories

Transition Resources:
Career Development
Difference Between High School and College
Transition and the IEP
Transition Timeline
What should the IEP contain?
Clinton/Jackson Transition Advisory Board (TAB) Resources
Muscatine Transition Advisory Board (TAB) Resources
Scott Transition Advisory Board (TAB) Resources
 

Click here for County Waiver Flowcharts 
 

General Information Sites:
Exceptional Parent
The Family Village
504 Frequently Asked Questions
I Have a Plan Iowa
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY)

Family/Parent Issues, Support, and Parent-to-Parent Sites:
The Arc of the United States
Autism Society of America 
Autism Speaks
Behaviorally Challenging Kids
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder
Iowa Federation of Families for Children’s  Mental Health
Learning difficulties, including those that can be diagnosed -- learning disabilities, AD/HD, autism, and Asperger's syndrome
National Alliance of Mental Illness

Iowa Web Sites:
Ask Resource Center in Des Moines
Center for Disabilities & Development
Iowa Compass
Iowa, State of, Home Page
Iowa’s Statewide Parent Information Resource for Student Success
Iowa’s Guidance for Quality IEPs 

Legal Issues and Advocacy Site:
Wrightslaw

Links:
Alphabet Soup for Special Education
Partners Newsletter
Recreation Summer Programs
Employment Matrix
IEP Conference
 

For more information contact: