There are a number of upcoming parent training opportunities for families provided by the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) and the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).
Transition University is a free five-session self-paced online series to help parents/guardians navigate the transition process for their school-aged child and prepare for the adult world. The course is designed for parents/caregivers of elementary, middle, and high school students who receive special education services, but the course is open to everyone.
PEATC, in collaboration with VDOE, has developed IEP University (IEPU) to help provide families and professionals with accurate and useful information about IEP development and meetings. IEPU is a self-paced online training with easy-to-understand guidance on the special education process, the IEP document, and ways to develop collaborative relationships among schools and families. IEPU will target practical strategies aimed at helping future IEP meetings be more positive, productive, and collaborative for everyone involved. This training will be presented virtually and will include webinars, discussion boards, resources, and supplementary materials. It will take approximately six hours and can be accessed anytime during the three-week time frame indicated below. A certificate of completion will be provided for all who complete the training.
PEATC, in collaboration with the VDOE, offers this self-paced SEAC training aimed at helping SEAC members understand the role of the local Special Education Advisory Committee in Virginia and build a more efficient and effective advisory committee. The online training will take approximately four hours, and a certificate of completion will be provided for all complete the training.
The Building Strong Parent Advocates training provides information to help families build a solid foundation to understand the special education process while empowering them to be their child's best advocate. The online training will take approximately six hours, and can be accessed anytime from November 4 through November 25, 2024.