
F.I.R.S.T. is a nonprofit
family driven organization dedicated to helping persons with
disabilities to live included, productive lives as members
of the community by supporting and educating families to be their
child's best advocate and youth to be self-advocates.
F.I.R.S.T. offers:
-
Free parent training related
to educational issues and rights under IDEA and section 504
-
Staff
available to attend school meetings - including Spanish-speaking
- Advanced training
for parents to become better advocates
- Training for educators
and agency staff related to educational issues
- Resource materials
related to specific abilities
- Website with 24 hour access
to information and evening phone hours to help serve families
F.I.R.S.T. grew out of conversations
between parents and special education providers. During
the usual comparisons of ideas and information, the idea for
an information and support center for families was born. With
this diversity of viewpoints
is a strength that serves F.I.R.S.T. well. We remain the
same parent organization with the same purposes:
- Provide unique support for
families of children with disabilities by focusing on the
functioning of the family unit.
- Provide information and
guidance as parents seek appropriate assistance from
a wide array of public and private services and community
resources.
- Aid families in becoming
effective self-advocates through training and consistent
follow-up.
- Focus on the family as a
whole, rather that isolating the child with a disability
from the general functioning of the family unit.
F.I.R.S.T. has directed families
to resources and given them information on education issues and
other disability issues. Monthly information meetings/workshops
have been held on the following topics: Inclusion, Positive
Behavior Supports, Transition with Medicare and DD Services,
and Writing Individualized Education Plan (IEP). A "Welcome" packet
was designed and is distributed to families, especially those
new to the special education process.
Our Mission
F.I.R.S.T. is a nonprofit family
driven organization dedicated to helping persons with disabilities
to live included, productive lives as members of the community
by supporting and educating families to be their child's best
advocate and youth to be self-advocates.
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