THE PORTSMOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS PARENT RESOURCE AND INFORMATION CENTER (PRIC) WAS ESTABLISHED TO ASSIST PARENTS OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN IN BECOMING EFFECTIVE PARTNERS IN THE PLANNING OF A FREE AND APPROPRIATE EDUCATION TO QUALIFYING STUDENTS OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND RELATED SERVICES.
WHAT DOES THE PRIC DO?
THE PRIC OFFERS A VARIETY OF SUPPORT AND TRAINING TO THE PARENTS OF QUALIFYING STUDENT(S) FROM BIRTH TO 22-YEARS-OLD TO ENSURE EACH CHILD RECEIVES A FREE AND APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE PRIC OFFERS ASSISTANCE IN BRIDGING THE GAP TO A POSITIVE AND APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE BETWEEN STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, THEIR PARENTS, EDUCATORS AND STAFF MEMBERS WITHIN THE DIVISION AND COMMUNITY.
THE PRIC ALSO OFFERS FREE MONTHLY INFORMATIONAL TRAINING SESSIONS. DURING EACH INFORMATIVE TRAINING SESSION, OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL PARENTS, EDUCATORS AND SUPPORTING STAFF MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE. PARENTS, EDUCATORS, AND SUPPORTING STAFF MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THESE INFORMATIONAL TRAINING SESSIONS. IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND, YOU MAY SCHEDULE AN INDIVIDUAL CONSULTATION WITH THE PARENT RESOURCE SPECIALIST.
THE CENTER IS STAFFED BY A PARENT RESOURCE SPECIALIST WHO WORKS WITHIN THE GUIDELINES SET BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, DIVISION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND STUDENT SERVICES, THE SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND OTHER OUTSIDE SOURCES WHEN APPROPRIATE IN PROVIDING THE BEST SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO ALL OF PORTSMOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.
THE PRIC PROVIDES:
- TRAINING FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABLING CONDITIONS.
- ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS RELATED TO SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCESS FOR ELIGIBLE STUDENTS FROM PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL AND POST GRADUATION.
- COMMUNITY SERVICES AND REFERRAL INFORMATION TO MEET INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS RECIEVING SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES (I.E. HEALTH, VOCATIONAL, ETC.).
- A PARENT-TO-PARENT NETWORK.
- WORKSHOPS TO HELP PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS OF THEIR CHILDREN AND PARTICIPATE IN THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCESS AND FOR TEACHERS SO THEY CAN BE BETTER PARTNERS WITH PARENTS.
10 REASONS TO CONTACT THE PRIC:
- GET HELP IN UNDERSTANDING THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCESS
- LEARN ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS WITH REGARD TO IDEA (INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT)
- REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE FOR UPCOMING PROGRAMS
- OFFER SUGGESTIONS OF PROGRAMS THAT YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING
- FOR INFORMATION REGARDING LOCAL ACTIVITIES AND SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
- CHECK OUT A BOOK OR VIDEO FROM PRIC’S LENDING LIBRARY
- FIND SUPPORT WHILE RAISING A CHILD WITH DISABILITIES
- LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVOCATING FOR YOUR CHILD WITH DISABILITIES
- LEARN TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE
- CONNECT WITH OTHER PARENTS
THE PARENT RESOURCE AND INFORMATION CENTER IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND WORKSHOPS TO ANYONE WHO HAS A STUDENT IN SPECIAL EDUCATION OR TO ANYONE WHO HAS A STUDENT RECEIVING RELATED SERVICES.
INFORMATION SESSIONS ARE HOSTED AT THE CENTER AND IN INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL BUILDINGS. TOPICS INCLUDE UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, COOPERATION AMONG STAFF AND FAMILIES, BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION, THE ROLE OF PARENTS IN HELPING THEIR CHILDREN THROUGH THEIR SCHOOL YEARS, AND OTHER TOPICS APPLICABLE TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. TAKE HOME MATERIALS, PAMPHLETS AND INFORMATION SHEETS ARE AVAILABLE BY CONTACTING OUR PRIC.
THE PRIC IS LOCATED INSIDE S.H. CLARKE ACADEMY AT 2801 TURNPIKE RD, RM2, PORTSMOUTH, VA 23707. IT IS OPEN TUESDAYS FROM 9 A.M. TO 3:30 P.M., WEDNESDAYS FROM 9 A.M. TO 5:30 P.M., AND THURSDAYS FROM 9 A.M. TO 3:30 P.M. (OR BY APPOINTMENT)
IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS FOR PROGRAMS THAT THE PRIC CAN OFFER OR KNOW OF ANYONE THAT MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN FACILITATING A PROGRAM, PLEASE CONTACT FAITH MITCHELL, PARENT RESOURCE SPECIALIST, AT 757-393-8792 EXT. 46273 OR [email protected].