The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires local education agencies to include parents as equal team members in the cultivation of their child's individual education plan (IEP). Despite law, studies have shown that parents experience barriers to being included in the process. Barriers such as a lack of information, lack of…

To assist parents of children with disabilities with navigating the special education system, the Individuals With Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) established Parent Training and Information (PTI) Centers and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRC) in each state. However, little is known about the 103 total Parent Centers currently operating…

Executive Directors of parent centers have very challenging careers. For example, they need to ensure that high quality services are developed and provided; funds are raised; bills are paid on time; staff are hired, trained and supported; boards are recruited and effective; community awareness is high; and reports are accurate and submitted on…

This paper traces the history of the toy library, a facility or program created to loan toys to children, parents, child care providers, teachers, and play therapists. Types of toy lending libraries are the community toy library, the supplemental toy library, the cooperative neighborhood toy library, and the mobile toy library. The first toy…