Advocacy Links and Resources

• Five Ways to Be a Better Advocate for Your Special Needs Child
  If your child has a disability then chances are your most heart felt desire is to be the best advocate you can for that child. All of us as parents want to feel that we have stood up for our child and prepared them for the world to the very best of our ability. In the case of a child with special needs, this can be an especially daunting proposition. Here are 5 practical steps that you can take as a parent so that will move you closer to that goal.
  
  
• Parents Helping Parents (PHP)
  California training, information and referral center for parents and families of children with disabilities. Programs include peer counseling, IEP training, iTECH assistive technology center, sibling support, playgroup, multilingual outreach, special needs library.
  
  
• "The Special Ed Advocate Newsletter" -
  A free online newsletter about special education legal and advocacy topics.
  
  
  
• Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER)
  A nonprofit organization that helps parents and families of children with disabilities. Has over 25 programs including transition issues, emotional behavior disorders, technology assistance information, employment strategies for youth with disabilities, and many more. 
  
   
  
• List of California Parent Training and Information Centers
  For families with kids with disabilities. Centers are located in Anaheim, San Diego, Santa Clara, Berkley, Novato, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Paradise/Chico, Fresno.
  
  
• Family Resource Network of Alameda County
  Supports and encourages the positive development of families of children with a disability or special health or development needs- Fathers' Support Group, IEP training, social activities, sibling social group, referrals, child care programs, summer camp resource list for kids with disabilities.
  
  
• Support for Families of Children with Disabilities
  A San Francisco Bay Area based nonprofit organization which provides free services, support and networking including special needs library, referrals, support groups, parent mentor program, educational training (IEP, transition fair, assistive technology and more), social activities for families, and an informative newsletter. Call (415) 282-1226 or (415) 469-4518.
  
  
• MATRIX
  Marin County based parent information and training center. Programs include parent professional workshops, parent mentoring, support groups, assistance with special education issues, quarterly newsletter.
  
  
• Exceptional Family Support, Education and
  Advocacy Center -
  Paradise/Chico, CA- Support, Advocacy and Education center for families with children with disabilities- Provides parent training, parent mentors to assist with educational assessments, IEP, school meetings, Sunshine Kids Club, newsletter.
  
  
• CAL-TASH
  California chapter of national organization which advocates for persons with disabilities and their families.
  
  
• Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inc.
  Parent Project -
  California based nonprofit which provides advocacy training for parents of disabled kids, parent networking, technical assistance and referral, legal representation.
  
  
• Protection and Advocacy (PAI)-
  California-based nonprofit organization which provides services for children and adults (including visually impaired) whose disabilities also include developmental delay or other specified disabilities, and Regional Center clients- provides legal assistance in administrative and judicial proceedings, patients rights advocate, peer advocacy training, publications discussing special education, SSI, technology assistance, and disability issues generally.