• Upcoming Trainings
• Parent University
• Parent Member Training
• Register for SUPAC Trainings
• Online Training
• Previous Trainings
• The Autism Series

Other topics of prior SUPAC trainings include:

• Positive Approaches to Behavior Change--Behavior is communication. How do parents interpret behavior in order to create change? Proper interpretation leads to better outcomes.
• All About the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Committee on Special Education (CSE) and an Introduction to the IEP and CSE meeting--This training covers the following topics:
  • What is an IEP?
  • What is the role of each IEP team member?
  • What kinds of questions to ask at a CSE meeting
  • Your rights as a parent under state and federal law
  • What to do if you disagree with other IEP team member
• The Terrific Tuesday Series--Syracuse University Parent Advocacy Center and The East Area Family YMCA offered The Terrific Tuesday Series for parents of children with disabilities or suspected disabilities. This series covered topics such as Understanding Your Child's IEP; Understanding Your Child's IEP Part 2:  SMART IEPs (The term SMART describes IEPs that are Specific, Measurable, use Action words, are Realistic and Relevant, and Time-limited.)
• Transitions and Your Child’s IEP--A successful transition process is based on the student strengths, preferences and interests, and requires collaboration between the student, family, school district and community agencies.  Transition planning and services are designed to prepare a student with a disability to achieve his or her post-secondary goals related to living, learning and earning within the community. Resources and materials designed to assist students and families, with the transition from school to post-school, are provided.
• Tools for Parents:  Creating an Advocacy Notebook--Provides parents with tools necessary to effectively and proactively prepare for the school year and beyond. The Advocacy Notebook will assist parents to work with their school team, organize their records, learn what records to keep, what to put in writing and how to write letters. Every parent walks away with a notebook filled with information that they can use as an effective advocacy tool as they navigate and advocate in the coming year. Participants are encouraged to bring their child's IEP and any current evaluations that may want to have included in their notebook.
• How to Form a Special Education Parent Teacher Student Association (SEPTSA) in Your District--Have you ever wondered how to begin to network with parents, teachers and community members in your district who share the same interests and concerns about special education issues?
• Achieving Inclusion in Secondary Schools: Academically, Socially and Behaviorally--For too many students, meaningful inclusion in middle school and high school (secondary school) is not a reality.  The structural components of secondary education that impact access to academic and social experiences of school are discussed.  Classroom strategies that are supportive of ALL kids within a competence based secondary school framework will also be discussed.
• Parent Involvement in Your Child’s Education: SUMMER HOMEWORK FOR PARENTS--This workshop discusses the importance of parent involvement in your child’s education. You will learn proactive tips to help make your child’s transition to the new school year a success.
• The Parent's Role in the Special Education Process--would you like information and strategies to effectively advocate and participate in your child's education? This workshop provides parents with an introduction to the Parent Advocacy Center and effective techniques to advocate for your child in the school environment.
• Knowing Your Rights and Making the Law Work for You--Knowing your rights and understanding educational law is essential for parents to effectively advocate.  This class will help you learn your rights and how to be a partner in education and policy.
• Advocacy 101:  Parent Rights within the Special Education System--What is the parent's role in the special education process? Learn the basics of your rights and your child's right to special education services, how the process of developing special education plans work, and your role in developing an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) that is responsive to your goals for your child. The benefits of parent/professional partnerships and positive, assertive advocacy strategies will be shared.
• Helping Parents and Schools Become More Effective Partners: Special Education Mediation: A Collaborative Option for Resolving Disputes--This three-hour informational session offered attendees an opportunity to look at conflict differently, learn about tools and resources to enable people to communicate more effectively and meet representatives from organizations available to assist parents and schools with communication issues.
• Understanding the IEP--The New York State Department of Education (NYSED) has released a new standardized IEP form that will be required for use by all districts in NYS for the 2011-2012 School year.  In this seminar we will walk through the new model form and all the components that are addressed in the IEP.
• Accommodations, Modifications, and Adaptations--An IEP or 504 plan is individualized to meet the unique needs of a student with a disability.  For many the key to success is having appropriate adaptations, accommodations, and/or modifications made to meet their individual needs from very simple to more complex.  This workshop training will assist you to understand the differences between accommodations, modifications and adaptations and also help guide you in determining what appropriate changes may be utilized to meet the needs of the student.
• What Do I Do If I Disagree? Issues in Dispute Resolution--This training provides an overview of :
  • Basic Rights and Legal Terms
  • Mediation process
  • Impartial Hearing and Resolution session
  • Disagreement and Filing a Complaint
  • Communication steps for resolving disagreements prior to Impartial Hearing as last step
• Establishing and Maintaining Effective Partnerships with Schools Districts--Good communication and partnerships with school districts can be an important component to creating a successful educational experience for students with disabilities. This training will cover essential elements of establishing and maintaining these relationships including parent awareness of their legal rights and responsibilities as a member of the CSE team, the role and responsibilities of the school professional, utilization of effective communication strategies, and working together to resolve disagreements. SUPAC provides strategies, examples, and materials that will assist parents in their efforts to bridge relationships with school districts.
• Preparing for the Beginning of the School Year: Establishing Partnerships from the Get-Go--This training covers the topics such as how to establish a partnership with teachers and other IEP team members, who should you meet with and when and what to do if you have questions regarding your child's services.
• Introduction to the IEP and CSE meeting--This training covers the topics what is an IEP, what is the role of each IEP team member, what kinds of questions to ask at a CSE meeting, your rights as a parent under state and federal law and what to do if you disagree with other IEP team member.
• Behavior Support and Behavior Interventions Plans: How to be a partner with your school district--This training covers topics such as how to act as a partner with your child's school and the IEP team, What to do when your child is having behavior difficulties at school, how to request a Behavior Intervention Plan for your child, what is a Behavior Intervention Plan, what are the steps the IEP team should take in developing and implementing a Behavior Intervention Plan, and what is the role of each IEP team member (teacher, parent, psychologist, administrator, etc.) in this process.