NEPACT E-News from Your Region A TA Center

Navigating Excellence - Parent Center Assistance & Collaboration Team

Region A E-News

Message From Diana

Thank you for a wonderful 2024 NEPACT Collective Impact Forum! We are excited to have hosted such meaningful conversations and to officially extend this critical work to the Parent Centers in Region A, fostering a truly collective effort. Photos from the forum are available to view: Photos 11/19-20 NEPACT CI Forum

Our dedicated workgroups—Immigrant/Language Access, Empowering Staff for Success, Military-Connected Families, and Early Childhood—came together to:

Develop: Infographics and actionable frameworks.
Plan Strategic Steps: Including quarterly updates, resource folders, and strategies for recruiting additional partners to join our Regional Collective Impact activities.

As we continue this impactful journey, please find the following resources to support your effort: 2024 NEPACT Collective Impact Workgroups

Featuring...

Recommendations for the near future: In light of the recent Presidential, Senate, and House election results, here are three key recommendations for the near future.

First, if you’re a Parent Training and Information Center (PTI), begin preparing your application based on the language in IDEA and relevant regulations. You can adjust once the Request for Proposals (RFP) is released, which may happen sooner than expected.
Second, now is the time to reach out to both current and newly elected officials in Congress. Educate them about the importance of Parent Centers as well as IDEA and Medicaid for children with disabilities and their families. This is about building awareness, not lobbying.
Lastly, connect with other disability organizations and partners in your area to discuss strategies for protecting IDEA and preventing cuts to education and Medicaid. Collaboration will be key in maintaining these vital programs.

Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

Upcoming Events/Dates to Remember

Region A Drop-In Call : The next Drop-in call will take place on Tuesday, December 3, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, EST. Our featured technical assistance presenter will be Mari Matthews, Center for IDEA Fiscal Reporting (CFIR).

Region A Parent Center Showcase: The PIC of DE will be featured on Tuesday, December 17 from 10:00 - 11:00 am, highlighting their successful transition and outreach efforts. Join us to support the presentation and learn about collaborative opportunities or new ideas in Region A.

Center for Inclusive Technology and Education Systems (CITES): CPIR will facilitate a webinar with the Center for Inclusive Technology and Education Systems (CITES): Engage Families in Inclusive Technology Systems - CITES. Discover how CITES Framework encourages school districts to actively engage families in creating inclusive technology systems. This webinar is for Parent Center staff only. Click here to register.

2023-2024 Parent Center Data Collection: It’s that time of year again! The CPIR and National RAISE Center are combining OSEP and RSA data collection requirements into one process, similar to last year. All Parent Centers should have received an email with instructions for Part 1 and Part 2. Part 1 is due Friday, November 22, and Part 2 is due Wednesday, December 18. This page provides the tools needed for collecting and submitting data for the 2023-2024 program year (October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024), along with supporting materials and an FAQ page.

2025 National Parent Center Conference: The ‘Call for Proposals’ for the 2025 National Parent Center Conference, themed "The Power of Parent Centers: Driving Positive Change," is now closed. Responses to submissions are being sent out, with all notifications expected by November 22, 2024. This conference, hosted by CPIR and the four RPTACs, will bring together nearly 100 Parent Centers to learn, share, and network. Designed by and for Parent Centers, the event promises impactful sessions and opportunities to connect. More information about registration details will be shared soon. Denver awaits next spring!

CPIR Calendar: Don’t forget to check out the HUB Central Events calendar at the Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) for more webinars and events. Also contact Myriam Alizo, malizo@spanadvocacy.org to add your Parent Center event to the CPIR calendar.

ABOUT THE REGION A PARENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER

The Navigating Excellence-Parent Assistance and Collaboration Team (NE-PACT), the Region A Technical Assistance Center, provides technical assistance to federally-funded parent centers -- Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs) - NEPACT Logo located in the states of CT-AFCAMP, CT-CPAC, DC-AJE, DE-PIC, MD-PPMD, ME-MPF, MA-FCSN, NH-PIC, NJ-SPAN, NJ-ASCF, NY-AFC, NY-CIDA, NY-LIAC, NY-UWS, NY-Starbridge, NY-INCLUDEnyc, NY-Sinergia, NY-PNWNY, PA-HUNE, PA- ME, PA-PEAL, PR-APNI, RI-RIPIN, VI-DRVI and VT-VFN. These Parent Centers are independent non-profit organizations. We also provide support to emerging parent centers and parent organizations serving families of children with or at risk of being identified as having disabilities. In addition, we work with early intervention and education agencies (local, state and federal level) seeking information regarding best practices in involving parents of children with disabilities in systems improvement.

The center activities are specifically designed to:

Enhance the capacity of parent centers to provide effective services to families of children with special needs and to work effectively with their states to improve special education and early intervention systems; and,
Facilitate their connections to the larger technical assistance network that supports research-based training, including educating parents about effective practices that improve results for children with disabilities. For more information click here.