THE PORTSMOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS PARENT RESOURCE AND INFORMATION CENTER (PRIC) WAS ESTABLISHED TO ASSIST PARENTS OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN IN BECOMING EFFECTIVE PARTNERS IN THE PLANNING OF A FREE AND APPROPRIATE EDUCATION TO QUALIFYING STUDENTS OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND RELATED SERVICES.

WHAT DOES THE PRIC DO?
THE PRIC OFFERS A VARIETY OF SUPPORT AND TRAINING TO THE PARENTS OF QUALIFYING STUDENT(S) FROM BIRTH TO 22-YEARS-OLD TO ENSURE EACH CHILD RECEIVES A FREE AND APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT.  ADDITIONALLY, THE PRIC OFFERS ASSISTANCE IN BRIDGING THE GAP TO A POSITIVE AND APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE BETWEEN STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, THEIR PARENTS, EDUCATORS AND STAFF MEMBERS WITHIN THE DIVISION AND COMMUNITY.

THE PRIC ALSO OFFERS FREE MONTHLY INFORMATIONAL TRAINING SESSIONS.  DURING EACH INFORMATIVE TRAINING SESSION, OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL PARENTS, EDUCATORS AND SUPPORTING STAFF MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE. PARENTS, EDUCATORS, AND SUPPORTING STAFF MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THESE INFORMATIONAL TRAINING SESSIONS. IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND, YOU MAY SCHEDULE AN INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATION WITH THE PARENT RESOURCE SPECIALIST.

THE CENTER IS STAFFED BY A PARENT RESOURCE SPECIALIST WHO WORKS WITHIN THE GUIDELINES SET BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, DIVISION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND STUDENT SERVICES, THE SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND OTHER OUTSIDE SOURCES WHEN APPROPRIATE IN PROVIDING THE BEST SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO ALL OF PORTSMOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

THE PRIC PROVIDES:

• TRAINING FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABLING CONDITIONS.
• ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS RELATED TO SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCESS FOR ELIGIBLE STUDENTS FROM PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL AND POST GRADUATION.
• COMMUNITY SERVICES AND REFERRAL INFORMATION TO MEET INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS RECIEVING SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES (I.E. HEALTH, VOCATIONAL, ETC.).
• A PARENT-TO-PARENT NETWORK.
• WORKSHOPS TO HELP PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF THEIR CHILDREN AND PARTICIPATE IN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCESS AND FOR TEACHERS SO THEY CAN BE BETTER PARTNERS WITH PARENTS. 

10 REASONS TO CONTACT THE PRIC:

1. GET HELP IN UNDERSTANDING THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCESS
2. LEARN ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS WITH REGARD TO IDEA (INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT)
3. REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE FOR UPCOMING PROGRAMS
4. OFFER SUGGESTIONS OF PROGRAMS THAT YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING
5. FOR INFORMATION REGARDING LOCAL ACTIVITIES AND SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
6. CHECK OUT A BOOK OR VIDEO FROM PRIC’S LENDING LIBRARY
7. FIND SUPPORT WHILE RAISING A CHILD WITH DISABILITIES
8. LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVOCATING FOR YOUR CHILD WITH DISABILITIES
9. LEARN TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE
10. CONNECT WITH OTHER PARENTS

THE PRIC IS LOCATED INSIDE S.H. CLARKE ACADEMY AT 2801 TURNPIKE RD, RM2, PORTSMOUTH, VA 23707. IT IS OPEN TUESDAYS FROM 9 A.M. TO 3:30 P.M., WEDNESDAYS FROM 9 A.M. TO 5:30 P.M., AND THURSDAYS FROM 9 A.M. TO 3:30 P.M. (OR BY APPOINTMENT)

IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS FOR PROGRAMS THAT THE PRIC CAN OFFER OR KNOW OF ANYONE THAT MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN FACILITATING A PROGRAM, PLEASE CONTACT FAITH MITCHELL, PARENT RESOURCE SPECIALIST, AT 757-393-8792 EXT. 46273 OR [email protected].

These virtual webinars will be presented on Zoom. They will not be recorded.
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Special Education Workshop Series – Fall and Winter 2023

PEATC presents this virtual workshop series for parents and professionals who want to learn more about special education in Virginia. Register once to attend some or all of the informative workshops!

Dates/Topics

- October 4th: From Referral to Eligibility
- October 11th: Understanding Special Education
- October 18th: Anatomy of an IEP

- November 1st: Measurable IEP Goals
- November 15th: Ins and Outs of IEP Meetings
- November 16th: ABCs of Behavior
- December 6th: Dispute Resolution Options in Virginia

LOCATION: Zoom 
Please visit www.peatc.org/events for more information and to register!

Each webinar will start on Zoom at 6:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) and will last approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. They will not be recorded.

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ABCs of Behavior

November 16, 2023 | 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

- Become familiar with the ABCs of Behavior.

- Learn strategies to address challenging behavior.

- Gain a basic understanding of functional behavior assessments (FBAs) and behavior intervention plans (BIPs).

*IN-PERSON EVENT*

Location: Colonial Heights High School Tech Center

3451 Conduit Road, Colonial Heights, VA 23834

Dinner & on-site child care will be provided.

Presented by PEATC in partnership with Colonial Heights Public Schools Family Resource Center and Special Education Advisory Committee

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TRANSITION UNIVERSITY

October 9, 2023 - November 30, 2023

Join us for Transition University! This FREE 5-session self-paced online course focuses on providing parent-friendly transition information to help make transition planning easier. This course is designed for parents/caregivers of elementary, middle, or high school students that receive special education services, and the professionals that support them. The goal is to share factual information on transition services and to help make the transition from school services to the adult services world less confusing. Participants who complete the full course will receive a certificate of completion showing 7.5 hours.

Learn About More Trainings

Do you have a Senior in high school looking to get involved in state education policy who would like to be a part of a Student Advisory Board? Read about it in the #2023-09 Virginia Education Update Newsletter.

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PEATC LATINO

Grupo de Chat para Padres: Únete a nuestro nuevo GRUPO DE CHAT mediante la aplicación de WhatsApp y podrás mantenerte al tanto de todo lo que PEATC Latino está haciendo.

Entra al GRUPO: https://bit.ly/2VoU2vw

Serie De Educación Especial En Español – Otoño 2023

PEATC presenta esta serie de talleres virtuales para padres y profesionales que desean aprender más sobre la educación especial en Virginia. ¡Regístrese una vez para asistir a algunos o todos los talleres informativos!

¡Aquellos que asistan a todas o más de tres talleres, podrán participar de una rifa y ganar una tarjeta de regalo de $50!

- Septiembre 20: Comprensión de la Educación Especial

- Octubre 11: De la Referencia a la Eligibilidad

- Octubre 23: Dentro y Fuera de las Reuniones del IEP

- Noviembre 15: Diez cosas que debe saber sobre un IEP

- Diciembre 6: Cómo Hablar para que las Escuelas Escuchen (y Escuchar para que las Escuelas Hablen)

¿DÓNDE? Zoom. 
Please visit www.peatc.org/events for more information and to register!

Cada taller comenzará a las 6:30 pm y tendrá una duración aproximada de 1 a 1.5 horas. Estas sesiones no serán grabadas.

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