Community Parent Resource Center (CPRC)

What do I need to know about Special Education?
What is an IEP?
Things don’t seem right, can I call another meeting?

These and many other questions can be answered by F.I.R.S.T. Community Parent Resource Center staff.  The Community Parent Resource Center is a project of F.I.R.S.T. funded by US Department of Education, Office of Special Education offering free parent training related to educational issues and rights under IDEA and Section 504.

This program currently serves Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania and Yancey Counties.  F.I.R.S.T. has had over 9000 contacts with families and professionals since being funded in 2003.

Services include:

• Information about the special education process and parents' rights
• Community and online trainings (Advocacy Training and Making Your Case)
• Up-to-date disability information
• Parent Advocates are available to provide information and resources in English and Spanish, assist the family with problem-solving strategies, and direct callers to other community resources by telephone, email first@firstwnc.org, or call for a personal appointment.  We can also attend IEP meetings but this service is limited due to funding and schedules.
• Inclusion resources that show how students can be successfully included in general education classrooms
• Referral to medical, educational, community services, and support groups

Community Parent Resource Center rack card (PDF)