About Us

EMPOWER - Educating Minority Parents; Opening Windows to Educational Rights- a community-based minority governed non-profit organization, occupies an important role in the evolution of standards-based school reform and its potential for improving the quality of education for poor and minority children in Mississippi.  EMPOWER serves the families of children and youth with disabilities in Bolivar, Holmes, Humphreys, Leflore, Sunflower, and Washington Counties.

Mission Statement

It is the mission of EMPOWER to serve the families of as well as children and youth with disabilities themselves, by assisting them to attain an education that will enable them to live the fullest life possible.

EMPOWER’S trainings and technical assistance are designed to assist parents to:

1. Better understand the nature and needs of the disabling conditions of their children with disabilities;
2. Provide follow-up support for the educational programs of their children with disabilities;
3. Communicate more effectively with special and regular educators, administrators, related services personnel, and other relevant professionals;
4. Participate fully in educational decision-making processes, including the development of the individualized educational program, for a child with disability;
5. Obtain information about the range of options, programs, services, and resources available at the national, state, and local levels to children with disabilities and their families; and
6. Understand the provisions for educating children with disabilities under the Act.
7. Understand the provisions of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and how it interacts with the IDEA.