Programs for Parents

PACER Center
952-838-9000

Champions for Children with Disabilities

PACER has programs for children and young adults with all disabilities, their parents and families, and the professionals working with the families.

Programs for Parents | Programs for Professionals | Programs for Children and Young Adults with Disabilities |
National Centers | National Partnerships

Programs for Parents

PACER provides assistance and resources for parents of children of all ages and disabilities.

American Indian Project
Individual assistance and information for American Indian parents of children who have or are at risk for developing emotional or behavioral disorders.
Baby Welcome
Information about PACER is given to parents of infants to increase the parents’ comfort in seeking resources for their newly diagnosed child.
Bullying Prevention
PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center unites, engages, and educates communities nationwide to prevent bullying through creative, relevant, and interactive resources. www.PACERkidsagainstbullying.org | www.PACERTeensAgainstBullying.org
COUNT ME IN, Puppet Show
Begun in 1979 as a program to foster understanding between children with and without disabilities, the Count Me In teams of volunteers present puppet shows for preschool and elementary aged children, teachers, and adults.
Creation Station
Arts and crafts opportunities at PACER on selected Saturdays for children, their friends and families. Birthday parties are welcomed.
Dispute Resolution
Information, resources, and training opportunities to help parents resolve disagreements concerning special education with public schools.
Dropout Prevention
Information and training for families to reduce the risk of their youth dropping out.
Early Childhood Intervention
Services and support for families of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with special needs.
Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD) and Children’s Mental Health Services
Assistance on education, social services, and mental health or correctional issues for parents of youth with EBD.
EX.I.T.E. (Exploring Interests in Technology and Engineering)
A summer camp for middle school girls with disabilities to increase their interest in math, science, and technology. Additional workshops occur throughout the year. High school girls serve as mentors.
EX.I.T.E. Internship
High school girls can explore their opportunities in entering a career in science, technology, engineering, or math and to build upon their knowledge base and leadership skills to start them on their path.
FACT - Families Accessing Communities Together Program
PACER Center’s Families Accessing Communities Together (FACT) Project will work with families to identify and provide effective family support services and leadership training for families of individuals with developmental disabilities from birth to age 25 in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
For Youth Only
FOR YOUTH ONLY is a resource for youth with disabilities. Here you will find information to help you to develop self-advocacy skills and gain a better understanding of how you can more effectively participate to increase your success in the classroom, at home, and in the community. Youth who understand their disability and its impact on their everyday life have a better chance of improving their life and the systems of care that serve them.
Fun Times
Social events and other activities for high school teens with and without disabilities to build relationships that benefit all participants.
Grandparent to Grandparent Program
Information and services for grandparents of children with disabilities.
Health Information Center, Family-to-Family
Information about the health care system, resources, and advocacy for families of children and youth with special health needs and disabilities.
Housing Project
Information and referral for parents of youth with disabilities to understand their independent living and housing options for the future.
Leadership Academy
An academic year program for students with disabilities in grades ninth through eleventh. Students, Parents, and educational staff participate in trainings on assistive technology software and technologies that can enhance academic and transition success.
Let’s Prevent Abuse, Puppet Show
Begun in 1984, the LPA program focuses on identifying abuse, sources for help, and preventing abuse of young children. The presentation, written for children in grades 1-4 along with their teachers, social workers, and other adults at schools, is no longer available to be performed, but puppets and scripts can be purchased as a PACER Puppet Package for your organization.
Minnesota Parent Center (MN PIRC)
Information and resources to help parents be strong partners in their children’s education in ways that lead to improvements in student achievement.
Multicultural Services
Bilingual workshops and publications focusing on issues facing families from diverse backgrounds.
Parent Leadership in Special Education
Parents can use their experience and expertise to influence change in local special education advisory committees, interagency collaborations and public policy.
Parent to Parent Support Project
Parent to Parent Support Project is designed to help parents of children with disabilities enhance their parenting skills.
Parents Helping Parents
Workshops, one-on-one training, and information on special education, communication skills, and other issues affecting children with disabilities.
Project C³: Connecting Youth to Communities and Careers
A partnership between PACER and state agencies that aligns resources to improve employment outcomes for youth with disabilities through effective collaboration and training.
Project KITE (Kids Included through Technology are Enriched)
Training for parents and early childhood educational staff to use software and technology that enable children with disabilities to interact with their peers.
Project PRIDE (PACER’s Rehabilitation Act Information & Disability Education)
Information and training about the Rehabilitation Act for youth with disabilities, their families, and professionals.
Puppet Program
PACER Center offers three puppet shows for schools. The COUNT ME IN show, for preschool to fourth grade, promotes inclusion of children with disabilities and highlights disability awareness. The KIDS AGAINST BULLYING show is for students in first through third grade and deals with issues related to bullying. The Let's Prevent Abuse puppet show helps students in first through fourth grade learn about abuse. The PACER puppets and scripts are available for sale.
School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SW-PBIS)
Information and training on a new state initiative to help schools successfully educate all students and especially those with challenging behaviors.
Simon Technology Center (STC)
Helping make the benefits of assistive technology available to parents and professionals via workshops, webinars, trainings, services and projects. The STC includes a software and device lending library.
Statewide Assessment Project
Information, resources, and training opportunities to help parents participate in Individualized Education Program (IEP) planning for your child’s involvement in statewide assessment.
Surrogate Parent Services
Training and suggestions for selection of surrogate parents to represent children with disabilities in the special education process.

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