Our Services

EMPOWER provides non-cost services to families for the purpose of: empowering parents of youth with a full range of disabilities of their parental roles as active, equal partners, informed decision makers, and advocates for their children. EMPOWER assists families by providing:

• Information and advice through a toll free information line (insert both phone numbers here), Website (insert web address here), and information packets
• Workshops for parents and professionals
• Lending library
• Information packets (Disability, Advocacy, Basic Rights, other standard and customized packets as well)
• Quarterly news updates for parents and professionals
• Individual one-on-one technical assistance to parents (Via: telephone, email, in person)
• Referral (to local , state, and national service organizations)
• EMPOWER Collaborative Parent/Professional Partnerships

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
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