Navigating the special education system can feel overwhelming, but families don’t have to do it alone. Parent Network of WNY is proud to collaborate with Starbridge to offer the Family Empowerment Series, an educational program designed to give parents and caregivers the knowledge, skills, and confidence to effectively advocate for their children.
This series prepares families and caregivers to better advocate within the educational system for their children while becoming a valuable resource for other families of students with disabilities in their communities.
What You’ll Learn
Throughout the series, participants will explore topics including:
- Advocacy and effective communication
- New York State Special Education regulations
- How schools can support students with disabilities
- Challenging behaviors and what schools can do
- Practical strategies for working collaboratively with your child’s educational team
- Additional resources to help families navigate the special education process
Each session provides practical information that families can apply immediately to support their child’s educational success.
Series Schedule
The Family Empowerment Series takes place over multiple sessions on the following dates:
Saturday Sessions (9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
- October 3
- November 7
Tuesday Sessions (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.)
- October 6
- October 13
- October 20
- October 27
- November 3
Participants are expected to attend the full series to gain the greatest benefit from the program as each session builds upon the previous one.
Who Should Attend?
This series is ideal for:
- Parents and caregivers of children with disabilities
- Family members who want to better understand the special education process
- Families looking to strengthen their advocacy skills
- Anyone seeking practical tools to build positive partnerships with schools and support their child’s educational journey
Registration Information
Registration is required. Click here to register.
Thanks to support from state and federal grants, this online series is free for family members of children with disabilities. Registration must be completed before participating, and access information will be provided after your application is complete.
For individuals with a Self-Directed OPWDD budget, OPWDD requires your budget to cover the cost of participation. If you have questions about utilizing your budget for this program, please contact your Support Broker.
