PACER Center Workshops by Date

PACER Center
952-838-9000

Champions for Children with Disabilities

All workshop times are listed in the central time zone (CST) unless otherwise noted.

In the event of inclement weather, PACER Center may cancel workshops. If you are registered for a workshop, we will contact you about cancellations. Also, please check this site the day of the workshop for a possible cancellation due to weather problems.

The Minnesota Parent Center is a unique statewide project designed to help families and schools build stronger ties to benefit students.
See all the upcoming MN PIRC workshops >>>

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Workshops

PACER Center offers free workshops throughout Minnesota to parents of children with disabilities and the professionals working with families.

Workshop topics include areas of interest in special education, including information on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) program, early childhood, the area of transition for students 14-21 (housing, post secondary, employment, and community), assistive technology, and many more!

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Workshops Ordered by Date

Alternative workshop listings are available:
Workshops Ordered by Name
Workshops Ordered by Program
Workshops Ordered by Location

Monday, August 02, 2010
Six Skills for Effective Parent Advocacy - see flyer
This workshop will explore six skills parents can use to become more effective advocates for their child with a disability. Come learn about these skills which include: understanding your child's disability, knowing your school district, knowing your rights and responsibilities, using clear and effective communication, understanding the special education process, and knowing the dispute resolution options.
6:30pm-8:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Monday, August 23, 2010
Understanding and Addressing Challenging Behaviors in Your Young Child
This free workshop is an opportunity for families of children with disabilities from birth to age 5 to obtain vital information that can make a difference in their child's life. Come learn more about: brain development and behavior, different temperament types, stages of development, and strategies to help children get their needs met in acceptable ways.
6:30pm-8:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Monday, September 13, 2010
IDEA Fall Kick Off: Blueprint for Understanding the Special Education Process
Please check back soon for workshop description
6:30pm-9:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
English: Special Education: What Do I Need to Know
Special Education is instruction designed specifically to meet the requirements of children with special needs. It is provided in the most appropriate setting for the children and at no cost to parents or families. This workshop will cover topics such as: why is it important for parents to be involved?, how can I work effectively with the school?, what do I need to know about the evaluation process?, how do we make the Individualized Education Program (IEP) fit the child?, and how do special education and regular education work together?
6:30pm-8:30pm (Bloomington)
Register for this workshop
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Social Security and Transition Age Youth
Please check back soon for workshop description.
6:30pm-8:00pm (Duluth)
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Thursday, September 16, 2010
Talk the Talk
Please check back soon for workshop description.
6:30pm-8:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Creation Station: Crafty Magic - see flyer
This event is recommended for kids ages 4-20 and their parents. Come learn how to create your own amazing magic tricks out of seemingly ordinary craft materials. A guest magician will teach you how to perfect your tricks and --presto chango!--he may even show you a couple of his own.
10am-noon (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Transition: Pathway to the Future
Transition planning is an important step in preparing your student for life after high school. Participants at this workshop will learn how to help their students achieve their dreams and goals. Topics will include: using the IEP to develop transition services, having high expectations, understanding age of majority and transfer of rights to the student, identifying required transition areas for planning, and learning about adult services.
6:30pm-8:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Engaged Parents Equal Successful Children
Please check back soon for workshop description.
6:30pm-8:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Monday, September 27, 2010
Focus on Transition
This workshop will help parents understand the importance of planning for their young adult's future employment and independent living. Covered topics will include: transition legislation, the five transition areas, ways to gather information about their young adult's interests, preferences, strengths, and challenges, and more!
6:30pm-8:00pm (Albert Lea)
Register for this workshop
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
English: Special Education: What Do I Need to Know
Special Education is instruction designed specifically to meet the requirements of children with special needs. It is provided in the most appropriate setting for the children and at no cost to parents or families. This workshop will cover topics including: why is it important that parents be involved?, how can I work effectively with the school?, what do I need to know about the evaluation process?, how do we make IEP's fit the child?, and how do special education and regular education work together?
6:30pm-8:30pm (New Hope)
Register for this workshop
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
IDEA: Fall Kick Off: IDEA and the IEP
Please check back soon for a workshop description.
6:30pm-8:30pm (PACER Center)
Register for this workshop
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Annual STC Assistive Technology Open House
Kids, bring your parents to the Simon Technology Center's annual open house. Explore hands-on technology and create wonderful works of art in the Creation Station. It's from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with craft activities offered throughout the day.
10am-2:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Monday, October 04, 2010
IDEA: Understanding the Special Education Process
Please check back soon for a workshop description.
6:30pm-9:30pm (St. Paul)
Register for this workshop
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Exploring the Invisible Disability of FASD
Please check back soon for workshop description.
6:30pm-9:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Juvenile Justice and Special Education: What Parents Need to Know
Please check back soon for workshop description.
7:00pm-9:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Thursday, October 07, 2010
IDEA: Blueprint for Special Education
Please check back soon for workshop description.
5:30pm-8:30pm (Anoka)
Register for this workshop
Saturday, October 09, 2010
PACER's Annual Housing Resource and Information Fair
Please check back soon for workshop description.
9:00am-12:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Is Your Child the Target of Bullying?
Please check back soon for workshop description.
7:00pm-9:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
A Fitting IDEA: Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Children with Disabilities
Please check back soon for workshop description.
6:30pm-9:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Thursday, October 14, 2010
IDEA: Understanding the IEP
Please check back soon for workshop description.
6:30pm-9:30pm (Willmar)
Register for this workshop
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Six Skills for Effective Parent Advocacy
This workshop will explore six skills parents can use to become more effective advocates for their child with a disability. Come learn about: understanding your child's disability, knowing your school district, knowing your rights and responsibilities, using clear and effective communication, understanding the special education process, and knowing dispute resolution options.
6:30pm-8:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Families Are Important
Check back soon for workshop description.
6:30pm-8:30pm (Anoka)
Register for this workshop
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Getting the Help You Need
Please check back soon for workshop description.
6:30pm-9:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
English: Special Education: What Do I Need to Know
Please check back soon for workshop description.
6:30pm-8:30pm (Brooklyn Center)
Register for this workshop
Monday, November 01, 2010
Tips for Talking with School Staff
Please check back soon for workshop description.
6:30pm-8:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Special Education: Where Does Juvenile Justice Fit In?
Please check back soon for workshop description.
7:00pm-9:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Thursday, November 04, 2010
Who Pays? Taking the Maze out of Funding
Please check back soon for workshop description.
6:30pm-9:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Parent Leadership Institute
Check back soon for workshop description.
8:30am-3:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
IEP's: The Building Blocks of Early Childhood Special Education
Check back soon for workshop description.
6:30pm-8:30pm (Anoka)
Register for this workshop
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Planning for Educational Inclusion
Please check back soon for workshop description.
6:30pm-8:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Achieving Communicative Competence in Augmented Alternative Communication (AAC)
During this workshop, learn about a framework for identifying social and strategic competence needs for users of AAC. Specific goals to target communication needs at all communication ability levels will be discussed. Video, activities, discussion, case studies, and planning tools will be used to help attendees personalize the goals and strategies and then determine how to implement them with users of augmented alternative communication (AAC).
9:00am-3:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Monday, November 15, 2010
Everything You Need to Know Before Your Child Turns 3
Check back soon for workshop description.
6:30pm-8:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Youth With Disabilities in the Juvenile Justice System
Check back soon for workshop description.
1:00pm-3:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Creation Station: Xtreme Paper Art - see flyer
This event is recommended for kids ages 4-20 and their parents. Strips of colorful, textured paper can become anything you can imagine. Weave them, twist them, layer them, scrunch them, glue them, go wild! Then decorate your unique design in your own special way--and your art is ready to hang on your wall.
10am-noon (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Technology for Girls: Dream It, Build It! - see flyer
If you can dream it, you can build it! Join us to put your creative thinking skills to test while we design bridges using toothpicks, pennies, aluminum foil, and gumdrops. We will test our structures by adding weight. Come see what structures will fall and which will stand!
6:00pm-8:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Creation Station: Embellishing Memories - see flyer
This event is recommended for kids ages 4-20 and their parents. Use decorative papers, beautiful embellishments, and more to make your special photo memories stand out. This scrapbook page could be used as a keepsake or given as a gift. Please bring up to five photos to use on your pages.
10am-noon (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Creation Station: 3-D Delights - see flyer
This event is recommended for kids ages 4-20 and their parents. Your artwork will start with a cool design drawn on colorful paper, then you'll add buttons, stickers, tissue paper, and more to transform it into a 3-D masterpiece. Get ready to see your creation jump right off the page!
10am-noon (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Technology for Girls: My Messy Little Experiments - see flyer
What weighs more, a pound of gold or a pound of feathers? Does an egg float or sink in water? How about a paper clip? We will answer all the questions you ever had about science and have fun while completing all the little experiments you thought about trying at home but were too messy.
6:00pm-8:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Technology for Girls: Forensics: Be a CSI! - see flyer
Put on your lab coat and come to PACER to be a crime scene investigator (CSI). We will explore the science of forensics by fingerprinting, analyzing powders, making teeth impressions, and determining someone's height based on her shoe size. We will test our CSI skills by analyzing data and solving a mock crime.
6:00pm-8:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop

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