PACER Center
952-838-9000
Champions for Children with Disabilities
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.
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!
Workshops Ordered by Name
Alternative workshop listings are available:
Workshops Ordered by Date
Workshops Ordered by Grant
Workshops Ordered by Location
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A Fitting IDEA - see flyer
Parents of children with disabilities and co-occurring mental health or behavioral needs and the professionals who work with them are invited to learn how to use the Individualized Education Program (IEP) or the Individual Interagency Intervention Plan (IIIP) to meet their students’ needs at school.
Monday, October 20, 2008
7:00pm-9:00pm (Monticello)
Register for this workshop
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AT for Reading, Writing and Math
In this hands-on workshop designed for parents and professionals, participants will explore assistive technology tools that support students with special learning needs (grade 3 and up) in the areas reading, writing, and math. Presenters will show a range of low to high tech tools with an emphasis on low-cost solutions.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
6:00pm-9:00pm (PACER Center)
Register for this workshop
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Communication Skills for Effective Partnership - see flyer
Effective communication between families and school personnel is a two-way street. Done well, it generates the understanding and support parents, transition-aged students, and professionals need to make effective decisions about a student’s special education program. This free workshop will help parents learn effective communication techniques for working with school personnel and adult service agencies. Participants will learn how to prepare for meetings, gather information, resolve disagreements, ask questions, and become an equal partner.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
6:00pm-8:00pm (St. Francis)
Register for this workshop
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Creation Station: Art Extravaganza - see flyer
So you say you like sequins and glitter? This day is for you! Use buttons, pom poms, stickers, google eyes and a variety of art materials to make one-of-a-kind 3-D masterpieces!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
10:00am-12:00pm (PACER Creation Station)
Register for this workshop
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Creation Station: Go Wild with Batik - see flyer
What do you get when you cross hot wax, fabric, and dye? The awesome art of batik! Learn about this ancient technique as we batik t-shirts using wild colors of dye.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
10:00am-12:00pm (PACER Creation Station)
Register for this workshop
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Creation Station: Making Memories - see flyer
Create unique memory boxes for a keepsake or to give as a gift. Make your own special design with mosaic paper squares and an assortment of fun materials.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
10:00am-12:00pm (PACER creation Station)
Register for this workshop
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Focus on Transition
Check back soon for workshop description.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
6:30pm-9:00pm (Bemidji)
Register for this workshop
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Getting and Keeping the First Job - see flyer
Competitive employment is the cornerstone of a successful transition to adult living for youth with disabilities. This workshop will provide youth and parents with straight answers to important questions about finding employment.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
6:30pm-8:30pm (St. Francis)
Register for this workshop
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Getting the Help You Need - see flyer
This workshop offers families information on state and county services that can help with issues as diverse as coverage for copays, personal care attendants, grants for adapted recreational equipment, waivers that may provide pay to parents so they can spend more time caring for their children The workshop will cover public programs such as medical assistance, TEFRA, home- and community-based waivers, consumer-directed community supports, county services, and county grants. Presenters include Bud Rosenfield of the Minnesota Disability Law Center and Jerry Mellum of Hennepin County.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
6:30pm-8:30pm (Anoka)
Register for this workshop
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Housing: First Steps Toward Independent Living
Come hear our parent panel share their real-life journeys through the housing process. This workshop provides an opportunity for families to think about the steps needed to help their son or daughter with a disability prepare to move out of the family home.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
7:00pm-9:30pm (PACER Center)
Register for this workshop
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IDEA: Understanding the IEP - see flyer
This Individualized Education Program (IEP) workshop explores new IEP requirements and components of IEP development, including evaluation, resolving disagreements, and an expanded section on writing measurable goals.
Monday, October 20, 2008
6:30pm-9:30pm (PACER Center)
Register for this workshop
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IDEA: Understanding the IEP - see flyer
This Individualized Education Program (IEP) workshop explores new IEP requirements and components of IEP development, including evaluation, resolving disagreements, and an expanded section on writing measurable goals.
Monday, October 27, 2008
6:30pm-9:30pm (Albert Lea)
Register for this workshop
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IDEA: Understanding the Special Education Process - see flyer
This workshop is for parents of children with disabilities and for professionals. It will cover basic information on such topics as understanding special education, understanding Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), learning about new IEP requirements, evaluating and re-evaluating students, keeping special education records, becoming an effective advocate for your child and effective IEP team member, and resolving differences. Each participant will receive a special education record-keeping folder.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
6:30pm-9:30pm (Detroit Lakes)
Register for this workshop
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IDEA: Understanding the Special Education Process - see flyer
This workshop is for parents of children with disabilities and for professionals. It will cover basic information on such topics as understanding special education, understanding Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), learning about new IEP requirements, evaluating and re-evaluating students, keeping special education records, becoming an effective advocate for your child and effective IEP team member, and resolving differences. Each participant will receive a special education record-keeping folder.
NOTE: The room has been changed from the cafetorium to room A123.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
6:30pm-9:30pm (Cottage Grove)
Register for this workshop
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Is Your Child a Target of Bullying? - see flyer
This free workshop offers intervention strategies for parents of children with disabilities who may be targeted by bullies at school. Participants will learn how to identify types of bullying, develop strategies to prevent bullying, identify responses to bullying, talk to their child about bullying, obtain help from professionals, and find out about disability harassment laws.
Monday, November 10, 2008
7:00pm-9:00pm (Anoka)
Register for this workshop
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Is Your Child a Target of Bullying? - see flyer
This free workshop offers intervention strategies for parents of children with disabilities who may be targeted by bullies at school. Participants will learn how to identify types of bullying, develop strategies to prevent bullying, identify responses to bullying, talk to their child about bullying, obtain help from professionals, and find out about disability harassment laws.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
7:00pm-9:00pm (PACER Center)
Register for this workshop
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Mental Health and Transition
Check back soon for workshop description.
Monday, November 10, 2008
6:00pm-10:00pm (St. Paul)
Register for this workshop
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NEO 2 Discovery Workshop - see flyer
AlphaSmart/Renaissance Learning and The Simon Technology Center cordially invite you to discover the difference NEO 2 can make for your students with special needs. With technology designed specifically for the classroom, NEO laptops engage, empower and improve academic achievement for all students. During this productive hands-on workshop, we will explore how educators can seamlessly implement NEO 2 across the curriculum. All attendees will be provided NEO 2's for use at the workshop as well as additional take-home resources and ideas for individual implementation!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
6:00pm-9:00pm (PACER Center)
Register for this workshop
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No Child Left Behind - see flyer
What does the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) mean for children with disabilities who are in special education? Find out at this free PACER workshop for parents and professionals. You will learn about inclusion of children with disabilities in required testing, questions to ask that may improve outcomes for children with disabilities, supplemental educational services (tutoring), state report cards on schools, and NCLB requirements for schools in Minnesota.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
7:00pm-9:00pm (Brainerd)
Register for this workshop
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No Child Left Behind - see flyer
What does the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) mean for children with disabilities who are in special education? Find out at this free PACER workshop for parents and professionals. You will learn about inclusion of children with disabilities in required testing, questions to ask that may improve outcomes for children with disabilities, supplemental educational services (tutoring), state report cards on schools, and NCLB requirements for schools in Minnesota.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
7:00pm-9:00pm (Richfield)
Register for this workshop
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PACER Hosts a Viewing of the Movie "Including Samuel" - see flyer
PACER Center is excited to offer a showing of the movie "Including Samuel," produced by photojournalist Dan Habib. This one-hour, award-winning film is designed to help schools, families, community groups, and others work toward educational inclusion in an informed and innovative way. It examines the educational and social inclusion of youth with disabilities. The film features Habib’s son Samuel and his family as well as four other families with a variety of inclusion experiences. Interviews with teachers, parents, and disability rights experts are also included.
Following the viewing, PACER staff will lead a discussion on the film.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
6:30pm-8:30pm (Goodhue)
Register for this workshop
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Parenting with Positive Behavior Support - Part I - see flyer
Attend this engaging opportunity to learn about PBS and gain skills and tools that will help you support the behavioral needs of your young children. Part I will focus on developing an understanding of PBS; Part II will focus on the development of strategies based on an understanding of the PBS approach. It is highly recommended that you attend both sessions, as Part II builds on the understanding of PBS learned in Part I.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
6:30pm-9:00pm (PACER Center)
Register for this workshop
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Parenting with Positive Behavior Supports - Part II - see flyer
Attend this engaging opportunity to learn about PBS and gain skills and tools that will help you support the behavioral needs of your young children. Part I will focus on developing an understanding of PBS; Part II will focus on the development of strategies based on an understanding of the PBS approach. It is highly recommended that you attend both sessions, as Part II builds on the understanding of PBS learned in Part I.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
6:30pm-9:00pm (PACER Center)
Register for this workshop
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PCA Overview
Check back soon for workshop description.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
6:30pm-9:00pm (PACER Center)
Register for this workshop
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Positive Behavior Interventions - see flyer
A positive school environment helps all students do better academically. Schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) can help schools achieve that positive school climate—especially when parents are involved. This workshop will help parents and professionals understand the concept of PBIS and its application for all students. Participants will build a common understanding about PBIS, learn effective alternatives to punishment, reinforce positive behavioral skills in children, share common strengths, successes, and frustrations, and discover how area schools are implementing PBIS.
Monday, October 27, 2008
6:30pm-9:30pm (PACER Center)
Register for this workshop
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Social Security and Transition Age Youth - see flyer
Please join PACER Center for this free workshop for parents of children ages 14 and older. You will learn about Social Security disability programs, Supplemental Security Income, Work incentives, Plan for Achieving Self-sufficiency Program (PASS), and Ticket to Work. About the presenter: In more than 20 years with the Social Security Administration, Joani Werner has actively promoted employment for people with disabilities. A work incentive liaison and PASS specialist for the St. Paul Social Security office since 1996, she is cofounder of the award-winning St. Paul (PASS) Pilot program and has given hundreds of presentations nationwide on work incentives/PASS.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
6:30pm-9:00pm (Pine City)
Register for this workshop
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Social Security and Transition Age Youth - see flyer
Please join PACER Center for this free workshop for parents of children ages 14 and older. You will learn about Social Security disability programs, Supplemental Security Income, Work incentives, Plan for Achieving Self-sufficiency Program (PASS), and Ticket to Work. About the presenter: In more than 20 years with the Social Security Administration, Joani Werner has actively promoted employment for people with disabilities. A work incentive liaison and PASS specialist for the St. Paul Social Security office since 1996, she is cofounder of the award-winning St. Paul (PASS) Pilot program and has given hundreds of presentations nationwide on work incentives/PASS.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
6:30pm-9:00pm (Anoka)
Register for this workshop
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Speak Up for Special Education - see flyer
This privately funded workshop is for parents who want to learn how to become public-policy advocates. Participants will have an opportunity to meet with elected officials and learn skills and techniques to communicate with elected officials.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
6:30pm-8:30pm (St. Cloud)
Register for this workshop
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Speak Up for Special Education - see flyer
This privately funded workshop is for parents who want to learn how to become public-policy advocates. Participants will have an opportunity to meet with elected officials and learn skills and techniques to communicate with elected officials.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
6:30pm-8:30pm (Minnetonka)
Register for this workshop
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Speak Up for Special Education - see flyer
This privately funded workshop is for parents who want to learn how to become public-policy advocates. Participants will have an opportunity to meet with elected officials and learn skills and techniques to communicate with elected officials.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
6:30pm-8:30pm (Rochester)
Register for this workshop
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Speak Up for Special Education - see flyer
This privately funded workshop is for parents who want to learn how to become public-policy advocates. Participants will have an opportunity to meet with elected officials and learn skills and techniques to communicate with elected officials.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
7:00pm-9:00pm (Hopkins)
Register for this workshop
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Speak Up for Special Education
This privately funded workshop is for parents who want to learn how to become public-policy advocates. Participants will have an opportunity to meet with elected officials and learn skills and techniques to communicate with elected officials.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
6:30pm-8:30pm (Roseville)
Register for this workshop
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Speak Up for Special Education - see flyer
This privately funded workshop is for parents who want to learn how to become public-policy advocates. Participants will have an opportunity to meet with elected officials and learn skills and techniques to communicate with elected officials.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
6:30pm-8:30pm (Mankato)
Register for this workshop
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STC Open House - see flyer
Assistive technology doe not have to be complicated or expensive. Attend the Simon Technology Center’s annual event to learn about a variety of innovative, low-cost technology supports to help people of all ages and disabilities.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
10:00am-2:00pm (PACER Center)
Register for this workshop
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Technology for Girls Workshop: Dream It, Build-It! - see flyer
If you can dream it, you can build it! Join us to put your creative thinking skills to the test while we design bridges, boats, and more. Toothpicks, pennies, aluminum foil, gumdrops, straws, and clay will be used to make a variety of structures. We will test our structures by adding weight. Come see what structures will fall and which ones will stand!
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
6:00pm-8:00pm (PACER Center)
Register for this workshop
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Technology for Girls Workshop: Forensics, Be a CSI! - see flyer
Put on you lab coats 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 their shoe size. We will test our CSI skills by analyzing data and solving a mock crime!
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
6:00pm-8:00pm (PACER Center)
Register for this workshop
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Technology for Girls Workshop: My Messy Little Experiments - see flyer
Does an egg float or sink in water? How about a paper clip? How much water can a penny hold? Can a raisin really dance? 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.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
6:00pm-8:00pm (PACER Center)
Register for this workshop
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The House of IDEA: Blueprint for a Strong Education Program - see flyer
The special education process can be compared to building a house. There is a logical order to both. This workshop will cover how to use the building blocks of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to develop appropriate services for your student.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
7:00pm-9:30pm (Northfield)
Register for this workshop
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Tips for Talking with School Staff - see flyer
What’s the difference between saying "You should" and "How can we"? Find out in this workshop that provides parents of special education students easy-to-use practical tips for communicating with school staff and resolving differences in effective ways.
Monday, October 27, 2008
6:30pm-8:30pm (St. Cloud)
Register for this workshop
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Transitioning to Post-Secondary
Check back soon for workshop description.
Monday, November 17, 2008
7:00pm-9:00pm (Burnsville)
Register for this workshop
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Visual Strategies Workshop Series: Creating Visual Social Supports - see flyer
The Visual Strategies workshop series will help participants discover strategies and tools to support students on the autism spectrum as well as those with other disabilities. Participants will learn about a variety of tools used to create a social story or a social script. A social story helps a learner understand a concept or an event by breaking it down into smaller pieces. Tools such as Power Point, Kreative Komix, and iComic will be Introduced. Participants who attend four out of five sessions; Foundations for Using Visual Strategies, Introductions to Boardmaking Tools, Using Symbol-supported Text, Creating Visual Social Supports, and Implementing Visual Strategies will receive a free membership to the Simon Technology Center Assistive Technology Lending Library. Please see flyer for full details.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
6:00pm-9:00pm (PACER Center)
Register for this workshop
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Visual Strategies Workshop Series: Implementing Visual Strategies - see flyer
The Visual Strategies workshop series will help participants discover strategies and tools to support students on the autism spectrum as well as those with other disabilities. Participants will discover a variety of strategies to successfully implement visual supports. Topics include when and how to implement, how to introduce change, and more. Participants who attend four out of five sessions; Foundations for Using Visual Strategies, Introductions to Boardmaking Tools, Using Symbol-supported Text, Creating Visual Social Supports, and Implementing Visual Strategies will receive a free membership to the Simon Technology Center Assistive Technology Lending Library. Please see flyer for full details.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
6:00pm-9:00pm (PACER Center)
Register for this workshop
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Visual Strategies Workshop Series: Introduction to Boardmaking Tools - see flyer
The Visual Strategies workshop series will help participants discover strategies and tools to support students on the autism spectrum as well as those with other disabilities. A variety of tools can help parents and professionals create visual supports for theirlearners. This hands-on workshop will introduce participants to five boardmaking tools. Participants who attend four out of five sessions; Foundations for Using Visual Strategies, Introductions to Boardmaking Tools, Using Symbol-supported Text, Creating Visual Social Supports, and Implementing Visual Strategies will receive a free membership to the Simon Technology Center Assistive Technology Lending Library. Please see flyer for full details.
**If you would like to be on a waitlist please call 952-838-9000**
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
6:00pm-9:00pm (PACER Center)
This workshop is full.
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Visual Strategies Workshop Series: Using Symbol Supported Text - see flyer
The Visual Strategies workshop series will help participants discover strategies and tools to support students on the autism spectrum as well as those with other disabilities. This workshop will introduce participants to symbol-supported text. Symbol-supported text takes a line of text and uses symbols to increase comprehension of the material. A variety of tools and software, including News-2-You, PixWriter, and Clicker 5, will be ntroduced. Participants who attend four out of five sessions; Foundations for Using Visual Strategies, Introductions to Boardmaking Tools, Using Symbol-supported Text, Creating Visual Social Supports, and Implementing Visual Strategies will receive a free membership to the Simon Technology Center Assistive Technology Lending Library. Please see flyer for full details.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
6:00pm-9:00pm (PACER Center)
Register for this workshop
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Who Pays? Taking the Maze Out of Funding - see flyer
Come learn about sources of funding and other resources for families whose children have special health care needs and disabilities. Topics include MinnesotaCare, Medical Assistance, home- and community-based waivers, Supplemental Security Income, third-party billing, and other funding. Our presenter is Nadine Taylor from the Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Children with Special Health Needs.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
6:30pm-9:00pm (PACER Center)
Register for this workshop
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You Don’t Have to be Mad to Say No!
Check back soon for workshop description.
Monday, November 10, 2008
6:30pm-9:00pm (PACER Center)
Register for this workshop
PACER's site offers many PDF files for download, which require 
