The FRCD Newsletter
May/June, 2009: (pdf) (back issues)
Who We Are
The Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD) was a pioneer as a coalition that covered all disabilities. FRCD was formerly known as the Coordinating Council for Handicapped Children.
FRCD was organized in 1969 by parents, professionals, and volunteers who sought to improve services for all children with disabilities. A new Illinois law mandating the education of all children with disabilities by 1969 was the original impetus for their coming together - to inform and activate parents on their newly won rights. New legislation - P.L. 94-142 in 1975; P.L. 99-457 in 1986; P.L. 101-476 (IDEA) in 1990; P.L.101-336 (ADA) in 1990; and P.L. 105-17, (IDEA Amendments) in 1997; currently, P.L. 108-446 (IDEA Amendments) in 2004; and P.L. 107-110 (the No Child Left Behind Act) - intensified the Center's efforts to educate and train parents, professionals, and volunteers.
What We Do
In one year, from its four projects, FRCD answers more then 8,000 telephone and mail requests for information, assistance, and support. During its 37-year existence, FRCD has answered more than 200,000 requests for assistance from parents, persons with disabilities, and professionals.
Special Education Rights Seminars
FRCD conducts free seminars on the special education rights of children with disabilities, in English and Spanish, at its ADA accessible central office, in Chicago, and at locations selected by requesting organizations. Interpreters services are available with two weeks notice for persons with hearing impairments, and on diskette for persons with visual impairments.
Trained speakers are available to conduct training activities at meetings and conferences on:
- The special education rights and responsibilities of parents of children with disabilities from birth through age 26.
- How to participate effectively in the IEP process.
- How to participate effectively in the early intervention process.
- How to participate effectively in the Section 504 process.
- How to prepare for successful conflict resolution meetings.
- How to train effective advocates.
- How to communicate effectively with parents and professionals.
- How to organize an effective parent advocacy group and move bureaucracies.
- How to get services by being assertive.
- Transition and future planning.
- The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
- How to implement effective school reform.
- How to reach out to the underserved.
- Other requested topics.
Training for Your Organization (Speaker Request form)
The Family Resource Center on Disabilities provides information and training on the special education rights of children with disabilities, at community locations throughout the Chicago Metropolitan area. To make a request for a speaker, complete our Speaker Request form.
Parent Training Project
The Parent Training Project offers opportunities for parent leaders to become effective trainers in their own communities. This training is also available in Spanish for Spanish speaking participants. Participants learn to:
- Provide information, referral, linkage, and individual assistance.
- Become effective advocates and problem solvers.
- Conduct training seminars on special education rights.
- Conduct outreach and publicity activities to publicize their services.
- Become effective communicators and presenters.
- Interpreters' services are available with two weeks notice for persons with hearing impairments, and on diskette for persons with visual impairments.
Collaborative Parent Organization Project
The Collaborative Parent Organization (CPO) Project involves six organizations who provide information, training, and individual assistance to members of their own communities (based on the FRCD model), on a contractual basis. The CPO Project is a major component of the FRCD Parent Training Project in its current 5-year cycle which began 10/01/2007.
The six CPO organizations are:
- Autism Society of Illinois (ASI)
- (630) 691-1270
info@autismillinois.org - Illinois Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (IPVI)
- toll-free: (877) 411-4874
ipvi@ipvi.org - National Association for Down Syndrome (NADS)
- (630) 325-9112
info@nads.org - Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois (LDA)
- (708) 430-7532
LDAofIL@ameritech.net - Spina Bifida Association of Illinois (SBAIL)
- (773) 444-0305
sbail@sbail.org
Family Support Project
The Family Support Project provides individualized support services for low-income Chicago families. This Project is funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities. Services include:
- Individualized family service plans
- Linkage to needed services
- Support groups and advocacy
- Direct financial assistance
Youth Advocacy Project
The Youth Advocacy Project (YAP) prepares Chicago youth for adulthood, using a family-centered approach. The project is funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services. YAP provides the following services:
- Individualized transition planning using a family centered approach.
- Transition workshops.
- Linkage to needed services.
- Advocacy and networking.
WIN-MILL Project
FRCD conducts free training workshops on the Rehabilitation Act for parents, persons with disabilities, advocates and professionals in their own communities. Participants also learn to:
- Provide information/referral/linkage and individual assistance.
- Become effective advocates.
- Conduct training seminars on the Rehabilitation Act.
- Conduct outreach and publicity activities to publicize their services.
- Become effective communicators and presenters.
All participants will receive a free training manual on the Rehabilitation Act and other FRCD publications.
TWO POPULAR PUBLICATIONS FROM THE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER ON DISABILITIES, THE ORGANIZATION THAT HAS DONE EVERYTHING IN THE BOOK.
How to Get Services by Being ASSERTIVE
A 200+ page manual that shows you how to:- Build your self-confidence and develop a positive attitude
- Be assertive at IEP meetings, due process hearings, and other special education meetings
- Cut red tape and move bureaucratic mountains
- and more (pdf)
How to Organize an Effective Parent/Advocacy Group and Move BUREAUCRACIES
A 200+ page manual that shows you how to:- Organize a parent/advocacy group - even though you never organized anything in your life
- Get a state charter and tax-exempt status
- Reach out to other parents and choose effective leaders
- and more (pdf)
Each book is only $10, plus $2.00 postage and handling. Quantity discounts are available. See the order form (pdf) for more information.
The publications: "How to Get Services by Being ASSERTIVE" and "How to Organize an Effective Parent/Advocacy Group and Move BUREAUCRACIES" are published by the Family Resource Center on Disabilities (FRCD) and are not subsidized in any way by federal funds. FRCD alone is responsible for their content.
