The Special Education Network and Community Unit School District 300 have partnered to form the Parent Liaison Program.  The purpose of the program is to assist parents of children with disabilities to effectively navigate the educational system to improve outcomes for students within the special education system.

The program's intent is to build collaborative partnerships between parents, educators and administrators.  The Parent Liaison works as an impartial special education ombudsman for families.  A basic tenet of the program is that trust built between school staff and parents results in a positive, productive approach to problem solving.

The Parent Liaison Program:

• Equips parents to advocate for their child;
• Prepares parents for the IEP process;
• Improves collaboration between parents and teachers;
• Develops parent leadership;
• Increases family involvement.

Services

• Educate parents about the special education process, laws and procedures
• Empower parents to meaningfully participate in their child's IEP meetings
• Assist with preparation of a parent report for submission to IEP team members
• Address concerns between parents and district personnel and work with all parties concerned to improve the quality of relationships
• Provide training, workshops and ongoing technical assistance for parents, school district personnel and community members
• Attend IEP and other meetings if requested by parents or the school district
• Locate and access materials and community resources for parents of children with disabilities
• Establish and sustain parent networking opportunities and support groups

Benefits for the Child and Family

Research strongly supports school-parent partnerships as effective in improving both school climate and student performance.  According to a comprehensive survey, the influence of parent involvement is profound and provides wide-ranging benefits for students, families, and schools when parents and family members become participants in their children’s education and lives.

Parent Liaisons are parents of children with disabilities themselves. They have received extensive training on special education law, policies and procedures, the IEP process, evaluations and assessments, collaboration and community resources.

The Parent Liaison is a consultant, not a district employee, and all contacts are confidential. Parent Liaisons assist parents and schools in creating a cooperative partnership focused solely on the needs of the student.

How to get Help

Contact us at (847) 551-1780 or click here.