T/TAC - Training and Technical Assistance Center at the College of William and Mary

Family Partnerships
(formerly Parent Partnership)

Meet the Parent Resource Centers

By Tina Spencer, M.S.
September/October 2004

Parents play a critical role in the education of their children. Parents’ efforts to teach their children to be attentive, respect their teachers, and practice effective study habits are recognized by teachers and administrators. In 1982, the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC), a federally funded parent information and training center, and the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) envisioned centers that would help parents of students with disabilities and educators develop the skills necessary to build effective partnerships between home and school.

Through PEATC, the VDOE made this dream a reality by providing training and opening centers in local school systems called Parent Resource Centers (PRCs). In 1988 VDOE hired a parent and educator team to provide training to local teams and to help establish new centers. Certain limitations are in place for PRCs because they are supported by local school divisions, for example, PRCs may not serve as advocates for parents in mediation, complaints, or due process proceedings. Yet, centers may provide an important service by advocating for children with disabilities as they work with parents to resolve concerns and problem-solve.

What types of services do PRCs offer?
Parent Resource Centers offer a variety of services for parents and educators, including the following:
• Direct assistance to parents--listening, information sharing, resources, problem solving
• Workshops for surrogate parents, parents, and educators
• Parent-to-parent support groups
• Newsletters
• Interagency committees or councils
• Lending libraries

PRCs work hard to build relationships among parents, schools, and community. Parent training on topics such as early intervention, behavior management, assistive technology, inclusion, and transition has led to successful school experiences for students with disabilities. Currently, there are 55 Parent Resource Centers across the state of Virginia. For a listing of a PRC in your area, go to http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Instruction/Sped/prc_list.pdf or to ttp://www.peatc.org/prcva.htm.

What are the preliminary steps in starting a new PRC?
If your school division does not currently have a PRC, you may take the following steps to establish a local center:
• Review information regarding the centers (available from VDOE) and visit established centers
• Obtain administrative approval – superintendent, board of education, etc.
• Seek community support – local special education advisory committee and other local leaders
• Complete the required forms from VDOE
• Select a parent of a child with a disability and an educator for the local PRC team
• Complete the initial PRC team training provided by the VDOE

For additional information, please call Judy Hudgins at 804-371-7421. Ms. Hudgins leads the state team for training of new centers.

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