Purpose of Program: The purpose of the Special Education Parent Information Centers program is to ensure that parents of children with disabilities receive high-quality, relevant, and useful training and information to help improve outcomes for their children.

CPRCs promote the effective education of children with disabilities by “strengthening the role and responsibility of parents and ensuring that families of such children have meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children at school and at home” (20 U.S.C. 1400(c)(5)(B)). CPRCs, consistent with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (20 U.S.C. 1472(b)(4)), meet the specific needs of families in geographically defined communities who experience significant isolation from available sources of information and support.

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Local parent organizations. Note: Section 1472(a)(2) of IDEA defines a “local parent organization” as a private nonprofit organization (other than an institution of higher education (IHE)) that--(a) Has a board of directors--(1) The majority of whom are parents of children with disabilities ages birth through 26 from the community to be served;(2) That includes--(i) Individuals working in the fields of special education, related services, and early intervention; and (ii) Individuals with disabilities; and(3) The parent and professional members of which are broadly representative of the population to be served, including low-income parents and parents of limited English proficient children; and(b) Has as its mission serving families of children with disabilities who are ages birth through 26 and have the full range of disabilities described in section 1401(3) of IDEA. Note: If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, you may demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: (1) proof that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a statement from a State taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private shareholder or individual; (3) a certified copy of the applicant’s certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or (4) any item described above if that item applies to a State or national parent organization, together with a statement by the State or parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.

Yolanda Lusane Telephone: (202) 987-0146 Email: Yolanda.Lusane@ed.gov