The Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) serves as a central resource of information and products to the network of Parent Training and Information (PTI) Centers and the Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs), so that they can focus their efforts on serving families of children with disabilities.
The CPIR places "user-centered processes" at its core. Because PTIs and CPRCs are the main focus of our work, the CPIR is designed to gather Parent Center perspectives at each step along the way.
SPAN, a parent center with extensive experience in empowering parents in New Jersey and parent centers in the northeastern states, is proud to serve as the lead partner for the CPIR.
FHI 360 is equally proud to serve as a subcontractor and to bring to CPIR the exceptional expertise of staff responsible for operating the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, better known as NICHCY. This team equips the CPIR with the skills vital to writing family-friendly materials, designing powerful user-friendly websites, disseminating for impact, and collaborating with multiple partners to create on-target, user-centered publications and products.
Quite significantly, the regional Parent Technical Assistance Centers (regional PTACs) serve as collaborators and partners in CPIR operations to ensure that Parent Centers have a foundational voice in shaping the products and services CPIR provides. The PTACs coordinate their activities with those of the CPIR to ensure that parent training efforts throughout the network are well-coordinated and non-duplicative.
Together, SPAN, FHI 360, and the PTACs are committed to operating a CPIR that is truly responsive to the needs and missions of the Parent Centers.
The Center for Parent Information and Resources is made possible through funding from Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the U.S. Department of Education. We're funded as part of OSEP's support of the Parent Center network and the role that Parent Centers play in educating parents and improving outcomes for children with disabilities.
We'd love to hear from you. Feel free to drop us a suggestion or feedback.
Carolyn Hayer | project director
Myriam Alizo | assistant project director
Tom Franklin | communication & dissemination
Lisa Küpper | product development coordinator