Below are some frequently asked questions that New Directors often have. Following the FAQs are some links to other helpful resources that we’ve collected. Feel free to edit or customize any samples or templates you discover on this site.

There are two primary ways that new PTI/CPRC Directors can access training. Each year the 4 RPTACs and the CPIR collaborate to put on a virtual New Directors Training which covers topics such as Grant Reporting, Data Collection, Project Implementation, Finance and Uniform Guidance. New directors go through these training modules in real time with a cohort of other new directors from across the country. Your RPTAC can inform you when the next series is occurring so you may get signed up. New directors can also access training on a variety of special education and nonprofit management topics through the CPIR’s eLearning Hub. Every center director may request a username and password to access this site.

In Region C, we have a variety of resources and archived content on our website that may help enhance your knowledge on topics relevant to managing a parent center program and/or nonprofit organization.

The CPIR, located at SPAN Advocacy in New Jersey, serves as the national technical assistance center for Parent Centers across the country. The CPIR’s focus is on developing products that are relevant and useful for all Parent Centers. The CPIR provides universal, general TA to the Parent Centers across the nation and serves as a virtual hub for collaboration and training. Great Things From CPIR

The focus of the four Regional PTACs is to provide capacity-building technical assistance to the Parent Centers within their respective regions. The PTACs provide targeted, specialized TA and intensive, sustained TA to the Parent Centers in their regions.

Parent Center Directors take on a great deal of management responsibility along with program responsibilities and budgets that are usually quite small. That means we need to know exactly where to go to find out what to do to manage the required board, personnel, financial, and legal requirements that are a part of our day-to-day work.

Your RPTAC may have samples of various documents and/or policies that they can share with you. Additionally, all parent center directors have access to the Management Index, which is designed to provide high-quality, topical resources organized by tabs relating to essential Parent Center Director information. Teams of experienced center director staff have collaborated to provide up-to-date resources for each of the essential areas of Parent Center management.

The Board Toolkit was developed to train Parent Center Boards to help them meet their responsibilities. Each of the Tool Kits has 3 topics – 18 topics altogether! Each topic includes a short 10-20 minute video, a Dialogue Guide with presenter notes to help apply the video information to the Parent Center, a FAQ with the most important takeaway information, additional supporting resources, and a post-training evaluation survey. A Board Self-Assessment Tool is available to help the Board create a professional development plan, prioritizing topics identified where training is most urgently needed. The RPTACs can help with questions related to use of these Tool Kits.

Written TA and Unauthorized Practice of Law Toolkit: Parent Centers’ foremost commitment is to provide families with information that will empower them to advocate effectively for their children. To do that properly, each Parent Center must provide individualized assistance that is accurate, up-to-date, relevant, high quality, research-based, and appropriate to the needs expressed. There are special considerations Parent Centers must be mindful of when providing assistance to families in writing. Further, there are legal and ethical considerations Parent Centers must be mindful of so that they do not unknowingly engage in the Unauthorized Practice of Law when providing any type of assistance. The Toolkit to Ensure Appropriate, Quality, Written Individualized Assistance & the Unauthorized Practice of Law, was developed collaboratively between the RPTACs and the CPIR will help Parent Centers:

  • Understand the context and legal and other implications of providing written individualized assistance and avoiding the unauthorized practice of law;
  • Understand the need for, and appropriate contents of, written Parent Center policies and procedures regarding written individualized assistance and avoiding the unauthorized practice of law;
  • Learn about tools to assess current policies and practices, and develop and train staff on appropriate policies, procedures, and practices.

Both toolkits are intended exclusively for Parent Centers, and are available on the Parent Centers Only page.

  • The Annual Performance Report (a.k.a. Continuation Report) – Due for each year funding has been approved in order to receive continuation award. Demonstrate progress toward meeting project and program performance measures.
    • Centers typically receive the initial notification that the report is due in February, with a due date in early May (approximately). This notification/letter includes instructions for completing the report, where to find the form templates and how to access available technical assistance.
    • This letter is sometimes referred to as the “Larry letter” in reference to the individual at OSEP who previously sent out these letters.
  • Program Service Description (Government Performance and Results Act, GPRA) – Demonstrate the effectiveness of OSEP programs. Gather data on performance measures approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Done through review of services developed and delivered by Parent Centers. Parent Centers do NOT do this every year, but typically do it every other year (or sometimes once every 3 years; selection is based upon a sampling plan). If your Center is selected to participate, you will be notified in January and your submission will be due in March (approximately). The results of this data collection yield aggregated data across all participating Parent Centers related to measures of Quality, Relevance and Usefulness (QRU).
  • National Data Collection – facilitated by the Center for Parent Information & Resources (CPIR), this two-part data collection serves to highlight the work of Parent Centers in reaching and serving families and youth and the many positive impacts and outcomes from our work. Part 1, typically due in early November, is the quantitative data collection (the numbers of various types of services, contacts, activities conducted during the reporting period). Part 2, typically due in December, reflects the overall assessment of progress toward long-term measures (outcomes) established by OSEP. Part 2 data is collected through surveys completed by a random sample of individuals who accessed services from your Parent Center.

  • Region C Parent Center Directors monthly virtual meetings are held the last Wednesday of each month from 11-12 Mountain/12-1 Central/1-2 Eastern.
  • Regional and All Parent Center Conferences – annual and offered on alternative years
  • OSEP Leadership/Project Directors conference – typically held in late July or August annually in the Washington DC area

  • Region C website: regioncptac.org (this includes a password protected page for Region C Centers only – password may be obtained by contacting Melissa Voegeli ([email protected])
  • Region C Google drive which contains resources and minutes from each month Director Meeting. Please contact Karen Thompson ([email protected]) for access.

Resources

DateTitleLinkhf:doc_categorieshf:doc_tags
July 23, 2024Nonprofit Bylaws
board
July 23, 2024Bylaws
board
July 23, 2024Sample Articles of Incorporation
board
July 23, 2024Tips for Writing a Mission Statement
board
July 23, 2024Nonprofit Board Member Codes of Conduct and Ethics
board
July 23, 2024What Does Board Service Entail
board
July 23, 2024Every Board’s Must Have Documents
board
July 23, 2024Mission Statement vs Vision Statement
board
July 23, 2024Board Chair & Executive Director Communication
board
July 23, 2024Board Chair & Executive Director Responsibilities
board
July 23, 2024Board Chair & Executive Director Partnership
board
July 23, 2024Board Chair Prep
board
July 23, 2024What Makes a Good Board Member
board
July 23, 2024Sample Board Member Job Description
board
July 23, 2024Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation – Key Similarities and Differences
board
July 23, 2024Bylaws Do’s and Don’ts
board
July 23, 2024Bylaws Checklist
board
July 23, 2024Whistle Blower Policy (Sample)
board
July 23, 2024Gift Acceptance Policy (Sample)
board
July 23, 2024Document Management Policy (Sample)
board
July 23, 2024Conflict of Interest Policy (Sample)
board
July 23, 2024Code of Ethics Policy (Sample)
board
July 23, 2024Emergency Succession Plan Template
board
July 23, 202410 Step Executive Director (CEO) Performance Assessment
board
July 23, 2024Board Member Orientation Checklist
board
July 23, 20249 Characteristics of a Mission Statement
board
July 23, 2024Emergency Leadership Transition Plan
board
July 23, 2024Board-Staff Interaction
board
July 23, 2024The Board’s role in reviewing form 990, the checklist
board fiscal
July 23, 2024Five lessons for creating an effective (and accountable) nonprofit board
board
July 23, 2024Moving Beyond Performance: Making DEI Actionable
board
July 23, 2024Five Internal Controls for the Very Small Nonprofit
board

DateTitleLinkhf:doc_categorieshf:doc_tags
July 24, 2024Sample Nonprofit Financial Policies and Procedures
fiscal
July 24, 2024Sample Fiscal Policies and Procedures
fiscal
July 23, 2024Red Flags, Yellow Flags, Are Your Financial Statements Trying to Tell You Something
fiscal
July 23, 2024Form 990 Overview Course
fiscal
July 23, 2024Maintaining a 501(c)(3) Exempt Status
fiscal
July 23, 2024Nonprofits: How to Survive an IRS Audit
fiscal
July 23, 2024Sample Budget
fiscal
July 23, 2024Non Profit Fiscal Policies and Procedures: A Guide
fiscal
July 23, 2024Fundraising Communications Toolkit
fiscal
July 23, 2024The Board’s role in reviewing form 990, the checklist
board fiscal
July 23, 2024Your IRS form 990 questions answered
fiscal

Who to Contact for TA form

DateTitleLinkhf:doc_categorieshf:doc_tags
July 25, 2024Blue Avocado – Nonprofit Best Practices
important-websites
July 25, 2024Board Source – Nonprofit Best Practices
important-websites
July 24, 2024Native American Disabilities Law Center
important-websites
July 24, 2024Council for Exceptional Children
important-websites
July 24, 2024Division for Early Childhood
important-websites
July 24, 2024Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI)
important-websites
July 24, 2024Learn the Signs and Act Early
important-websites
July 24, 2024DEC Infant Mental Health COP
important-websites
July 24, 2024Federation of Families
important-websites

DateTitleLinkhf:doc_categorieshf:doc_tags
July 25, 2024State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies (SVR)
national-entities-and-resources
July 25, 2024Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR)
national-entities-and-resources
July 25, 2024National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
national-entities-and-resources
July 25, 2024Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
national-entities-and-resources
July 25, 2024Discretionary Grant Database
national-entities-and-resources
July 25, 2024Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) U.S. Department of Education Technical Assistance Network
national-entities-and-resources
July 25, 2024Database of Federally Funded Technical Assistance and Research Centers
national-entities-and-resources
July 25, 2024Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) IDEAs that Work
national-entities-and-resources
July 24, 2024Department of Education
national-entities-and-resources
July 24, 2024Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)
national-entities-and-resources
July 24, 2024Family to Family Health Information Centers
national-entities-and-resources
July 24, 2024Family Voices
national-entities-and-resources
July 24, 2024National Alliance on Mental Health (NAIMI)
national-entities-and-resources
July 24, 2024National Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training (AT3) Center
national-entities-and-resources
July 24, 2024Protection and Advocacy Programs
national-entities-and-resources

DateTitleLinkhf:doc_categorieshf:doc_tags
January 25, 2023Sample Parent Center Disclaimers/Scripts
unauthorized-practice-of-law
January 25, 2023Sample SPAN Parent Center TA Policy
unauthorized-practice-of-law
January 25, 2023Sample WI FACETS TA Policy
unauthorized-practice-of-law
January 25, 2023Sample of WI FACETS Procedure Disclaimers
unauthorized-practice-of-law
January 25, 2023Samply Policy Unauthorized Practice of Law
unauthorized-practice-of-law
January 25, 2023Unauthorized Practice of Law. Is it UPL? Why or Why Not? Answer Key
unauthorized-practice-of-law
January 25, 2023Unauthorized Practice of Law. Is it UPL? Why or Why Not?
unauthorized-practice-of-law
January 25, 2023Unauthorized Practice of Law and IDEA Parent Centers Dialogue Guide
unauthorized-practice-of-law
January 25, 2023Considerations for Parent Centers Regarding Unauthorized Practice of Law and IDEA
unauthorized-practice-of-law

DateTitleLinkhf:doc_categorieshf:doc_tags
August 27, 2024FND: A Primer on Special Education Acronyms Abbreviations
acronyms-abbreviations-definitions
August 27, 2024Disability & Special Education Acronyms
acronyms-abbreviations-definitions
August 27, 2024Key Definitions in IDEA | A Reference List
acronyms-abbreviations-definitions
August 27, 2024SpEd Primer
acronyms-abbreviations-definitions

DateTitleLinkhf:doc_categorieshf:doc_tags
September 3, 2024FAQs to Assist U.S. Department of Education Grantees to Appropriately Use Federal Funds for Food, Conferences, and Meetings
uniform-guidance
August 27, 20242024 OSEP Conference PowerPoint
uniform-guidance
August 27, 2024Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to Assist U.S. Department of Education (ED) Grantees to Appropriately Use Federal Funds for Food, Conferences, and Meetings
uniform-guidance
August 27, 2024Uniform Grants Guidance 2024 Revision: Evaluation
uniform-guidance
August 27, 2024Guidance for Grants and Agreements
uniform-guidance
August 27, 2024Grants Administration Courses and Resources
uniform-guidance
August 27, 2024Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards | U.S. Department of Education
uniform-guidance
August 27, 2024Part 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards
uniform-guidance