California Parent Organizations
List of California non-profit agencies providing resources and support for families of children and youth with disabilities.Parent Organizations and the California Department of Education
The California Department of Education (CDE), Special Education Division, works closely with federal- and-state-funded parent organizations to increase parent participation and collaboration between parents and educators to improve the educational system.
Senate Bill 511, Family Empowerment Centers
Parent Training and Information Center
California Community Parent Resource Centers
Senate Bill 511, Family Empowerment Centers
Background
The Family Empowerment Centers (FECs) were established in 2001 by enactment of Chapter 690 of the Statutes of 2001 (Senate Bill 511, Alpert), enacted as Education Code (EC) 56400-56415. The FECs provide services to families with children with disabilities ages three to twenty-two. The intent of the legislature is to ensure that parents, guardians, and families of children and young adults with disabilities have access to accurate information, specialized training, and peer-to-peer support. Each FEC is a non-profit 501 (c)(3). Funding for the FECs is based upon a specific formula. A rate of $246,000.00 is allocated annually to each center to provide the basic services. Additional funding for each FEC is determined according to school enrollment of the region served.
The FECs provide training and information to families of children and young adults with disabilities, between the ages of 3 and 22. These parent-led nonprofit organizations offer specialized training, peer-to-peer support, information and referral services. They aim to assist parents to better understand their child’s educational and developmental needs, effectively communicate with service providers, serve as a resource for the individual education plan process, participate in school reform and improvement activities, promote alternative dispute resolution, and support positive relationships between parents and professionals. Services available through each FEC vary based on the needs of the community.
As a condition of funding, each FEC shall do all of the following as required in EC Section 56408(a):
(1) Provide training and information that meets the training and information needs of parents and families of children and young adults with disabilities living in the area served by the center, particularly those families and individuals who have been underserved.
(2) Work with community-based organizations, including community advisory committees established pursuant to Article 7 (commencing with Section 56190) of Chapter 2, parent advisory committees of one or more local educational agencies in their service region established pursuant to Sections 52063 and 52069, and state and local agencies serving children with disabilities.
(3) Train and support parents and families of children and young adults with disabilities to do all of the following:
(A) Better understand the nature of their children’s disabilities and their children’s educational and developmental needs, including the benefits of inclusion in a least restrictive educational environment.
(B) Participate in activities to address disparities in opportunities and improve outcomes for children and young adults with disabilities.
(C) Advocate for the child’s needs in a manner that promotes alternative forms of dispute resolution and positive relationships between parents and professionals.
(4) Support parents with how to access language access support, including interpretation and translation of written materials, that is additional to language access support required to be provided by local educational agencies.
(5) Support parents in navigating referrals for services, such as support for pupil and family needs, respite services, physical and mental health services, and other necessary services depending on family circumstances.
(6) Assist parents in accessing support through other programs, such as the Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program and programs administered by the State Department of Developmental Services and the Department of Rehabilitation.
(7) Support parents in communicating effectively with personnel responsible for providing special education, early intervention, and related services.
(8) Serve as a resource to parents and families in decision making processes and the development of individualized education programs.
(9) Provide parents appropriate information regarding the range of options, programs, services, and resources available to assist children and young adults with disabilities and their families.
(10) Subject to the availability of resources and upon parental request, attend individualized education program development meetings that include parents and personnel responsible for assessing pupil eligibility for special education and early intervention services.
(11) Submit data annually, in accordance with the data template established by the department pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 56411, no later than a date selected by the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall select this date by June 30, 2022.
FEC Contact and Service Information
| Organization and Contact Information | Counties/Regions Served | Status |
|---|---|---|
California Department of Education, Special Education Questions, comments, and inquiries may be submitted to:
|
All | Active |
Technical Assistance Partner: Seeds of Partnership
Phone: 916-228-2388 |
All | Active |
Ability Path's Family Resource Center of San Mateo County
Address: Phone: 650-259-0189 |
San Mateo | Active – Scaling Up Supports and Resources |
Alpha Family Empowerment Center
Address: Phone: 805-683-2145 |
Santa Barbara | Active – Scaling Up Supports and Resources |
|
Address: Phone: 925-313-0999 |
Contra Costa | Active |
Challenged Family Resource Center
Address: Phone: 209-385-5314 |
Merced | Active – Scaling Up Supports and Resources |
Changing Tides Family Services
Address: Phone: |
Humboldt | Active – Scaling Up Supports and Resources |
Early Start Family Resource Network and Family Empowerment Center
Address: Phone: 909-890-4788 |
Riverside, San Bernardino | Active – Scaling Up Supports and Resources |
Exceptional Family Resource Empowerment Center (EFRC)
Address: Phone: 619-594-7416 |
Imperial, San Diego |
Active |
Exceptional Parents Unlimited (EPU)
Address: Phone: 559-229-2000 |
Fresno, Kings Madera Mariposa |
Active |
Family Focus Resource and Empowerment Center
Address: Phone: 818-677-6854 |
Los Angeles Catchment Area A serves the following Local Educational Agency (LEA) regions: Los Angeles USD portion serves the following zip codes: |
Active |
Family Resource Center of the Redwoods
Address: Phone: 707-464-0955 |
Del Norte | Active – Scaling Up Supports and Resources |
|
Address: Phone: 510-547-7322 |
Alameda | Active – Scaling Up Supports and Resources |
|
Address: Phone: 209-472-3673 |
Amador, Calaveras, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne | Active – Scaling Up Supports and Resources |
|
Address: Phone: 530-751-1925 |
Colusa, Sutter, Yuba | Active |
H.E.A.R.T.S. Connection Family Resource Center and Empowerment Center
Address: Phone: 661-328-9055 |
Kern Inyo, Mono |
Active |
Matrix Parent Network & Resource Center
Address: Phone: |
Napa, Solano, Sonoma Marin |
Active |
|
Address: Phone: 408-727-5775 x149 |
Santa Clara | Active |
Parents Helping Parents, San Luis Obispo
Address: Phone: 805-543-3277 |
San Luis Obispo | Active |
Parenting Network – Visalia Family Resource Center
Address: Phone: 559-625-1533 |
Tulare | Active – Scaling Up Supports and Resources |
The Parents’ Place Family Resource Center
Address: Phone: 626-919-1091 |
Los Angeles Catchment Area J serves the following LEA regions: |
Active |
|
Address: Phone: 626-300-9171 |
Los Angeles Catchment Area C serves the following LEA regions: Los Angeles USD portion serves the following zip codes: |
Active – Scaling Up Supports and Resources |
|
Address: Phone: 530-283-2735 x880 or 530-708-2557 |
Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Sierra | Active |
Rainbow Connection Family Resource Center
Address: 2635 Park Center Drive, Suite A Simi Valley, CA 93065 Phone: 805-485-9643 |
Ventura | Active – Scaling Up Supports and Resources |
|
Address: Phone: |
Mendocino | Active – Scaling Up Supports and Resources |
Rowell Family Empowerment of Northern California (RFENC)
Address: Phone: 530-226-5129 |
Butte, Glenn, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity | Active |
South Central Los Angeles Regional Center (McClaney Family Resource Center)
Address: Phone: 213-744-8882 or 213-744-8878 |
Los Angeles Catchment Area B serves the following LEA regions: |
Active – Scaling Up Supports and Resources |
|
Address: Phone: 831-372-2730 |
Monterey | Active – Scaling Up Supports and Resources |
Special Parents Information Network (SPIN)
Address: Phone: 831-722-2800 |
San Benito, Santa Cruz | Active |
Support for Families of Children with Disabilities
Address: Phone: 415-282-7494 |
San Francisco | Active |
Team of Advocates for Special Kids, Inc. (TASK)
Address: Phone: 714-533-8275 |
Orange Los Angeles Catchment Area E serves the following LEA Regions: Los Angeles USD portion serves the following zip codes: Los Angeles Catchment Area F serves the following LEA Regions: Los Angeles Catchment Area G serves the following LEA Regions: ABC USD, Bellflower USD, Little Lake City Elementary SD, Norwalk La Mirada Los Angeles Catchment Area H serves the following LEA Regions: Los Angeles USD portion serves the following zip codes: Los Angeles Catchment Area I serves the following LEA Regions: Los Angeles USD portion serves the following zip codes: |
Active – Scaling Up Supports and Resources |
Warmline Family Resource Center
Address: Phone: 916-455-9500 |
Alpine, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Yolo | Active – Scaling Up Supports and Resources |
Westside Family Resource Center
Address: Phone: 310-258-4063 |
Los Angeles Catchment Area D serves the following LEA regions: Los Angeles USD portion serves the following zip codes: |
Active |
Parent Training and Information Center
Background
Each Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC) is a parent-directed non-profit 501(c)(3) organization funded and managed by the Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The California Department of Education coordinates with the PTICs on initiatives and opportunities for parent support statewide.
The PTICs provide a variety of direct services for children and youth with disabilities, families, professionals, and other organizations that support them. Some of the activities include:
- Working with families of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities, birth to twenty-six
- Helping parents participate effectively in their children’s education and development
- Partnering with professionals and policy makers to improve outcomes for all children with disabilities
PTIC Contact Information
| Organization | Phone | Address | |
|---|---|---|---|
Exceptional Parents Unlimited
|
559-229-2000 559-229-2956 (Fax) |
4440 North First Street, Fresno, CA 93726 |
info@epuchildren.org |
| Disability Rights and Education Defense Fund (DREDF)
|
510-644-2555 (TDD Available) 510-841-8645 (Fax) 800-348-4232 |
3075 Adeline Street, Suite 210, Berkeley, CA 94703 |
|
| Matrix
|
415-884-3535 415-884-3555 (Fax) 800-578-2592 |
94 Galli Drive, Suite C Novato, CA 94949 |
info@matrixparents.org |
| Parents Helping Parents of Santa Clara
|
408-727-5775 825-727-5775 (toll free) 408-286-1116 (Fax) |
1400 Parkmoor Avenue, Suite 100 San Jose, CA 95126 |
info@php.com |
| Support for Families of Children with Disabilities
|
415-282-7494 415-282-1226 (Fax) |
1663 Mission Street, Suite 700 San Francisco, CA 94103 |
info@supportforfamilies.org |
| Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK)
|
714-533-8275 714-533-2533 (Fax) 626-300-1043 (Los Angeles Office) |
3020 Saturn Street, Suite 102 Brea, CA 92821 |
California Community Parent Resource Centers
Background
The Community Parent Resource Center (CPRC), are managed and funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and, as described in 20 United States Code 1472, will help ensure that underserved parents of children, ages birth through twenty-six with disabilities, including low-income parents, parents of limited English-proficient children, and parents with disabilities, have the training and information the parents need to enable the parents to participate effectively in helping their children with disabilities.
Each CPRC shall:
- provide training and information that meets the training and information needs of parents of children with disabilities,
- carry out the activities required of PTICs, and
- be designed to meet the specific needs of families who experience significant isolation from available sources of information and support.
CPRC Contact Information
| Organization | Contact Person | Contact Information | About |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese Parents Association for the Disabled
|
Vanda Yung | Address: Phone: Email: |
Serving Los Angeles and Orange Counties |
| Disability Rights and Education Defense Fund (DREDF)
|
Susan Henderson | Address: Phone: Email:
|
Serving west side communities of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties |
| Parents Child Advocacy Network (CAN)
|
Marlena Garcia | Address: Phone: Email: |
Serving Napa County |
| Support for Families of Children with Disabilities
|
Juno Duenas | Address: Phone: |
Serving San Francisco County, but all families are welcomed |
Other Resources
Department of Developmental Services: Early Start Family Resource Centers
Families of infants and toddlers, birth to thirty-six months at risk of or with developmental delays and disabilities, can receive parent-to-parent support from Early Start Family Resource Centers and Networks.
Seeds of Partnership – Alternative Dispute Resolution California
The Alternative Dispute Resolution California (ADR California) Resource Hub provides information and resources for special educators, parents, Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs), and parent centers across California. Explore resources aimed at improving partnerships, resolving disagreements, and reducing formal complaints and due process filings.
SELPA Administrators of California – Alternative Dispute Resolution
Information, training announcements, and resources for family engagement and ADR.
Center for Parent Information and Resources
This hub of information is funded by the Office for Special Education Programs. It contains family-friendly information and research-based materials on key topics for Parent Centers; private workspaces for Parent Centers to exchange resources, discuss high-priority topics, and solve mutual challenges; coordination of parent training efforts throughout the network; a twice-monthly e-newsletter with key topics, new resources, upcoming events, and materials to share with families; and materials from Parent Centers themselves.
Family Resource Centers Network of California
The Family Resource Centers Network of California supports families of children with disabilities, special healthcare needs, and those at risk by ensuring the continuance, expansion, promotion, and quality of family-centered, parent-directed, Family Resource Centers. One of their main functions is to connect families and community partners to services and resources supporting children with disabilities. They also forge deep partnerships with community and statewide stakeholders to benefit children throughout the state.
The Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution (CADRE)
CADRE is funded by the Office of Special Education Programs at the United States Department of Education to serve as the National Center on Dispute Resolution in Special Education. CADRE delivers its array of technical assistance and dissemination activities through the expertise of an outstanding group of nationally recognized staff, consultants, and advisors.
CADRE IEP Facilitation Parent Guide and Companion Videos
A printable parent guide with companion videos providing an overview of IEP facilitation and how to prepare. Please visit the CADRE web page for translations.
CADRE Working Together Series
A series providing families and educators with strategies for working together and through conflict. Anyone supporting children or youth with disabilities may benefit from this series, however, the setting in which collaborative problem solving and conflict resolution takes place within this series is typically the school or IEP meeting.
Reasons for Concern
If you suspect that your child or a child in your care may have a disability or special need(s) that may be affecting their academic, behavioral or developmental progress, there are state and local resources in place for assistance and guidance.
Rights of Parents and Children
State Compliance Complaint Support Unit
The CDE Special Education State Compliance Complaint Support Unit provides technical assistance information and resources for parents, school districts, advocates, agencies, and others of procedural safeguards regarding students between ages 3 and 21 with disabilities and their educational rights.
- Toll-free Help Line: 800-926-0648; Weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Email: speceducation@cde.ca.gov
- FAX: 916-327-3704
Rights of Parents and Children
Special Education Rights of Parents and Children Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part B, and the California Education Code.
- Notice of Procedural Safeguards (English) - Microsoft Word version (DOCX)
- Notice of Procedural Safeguards (English) - Portable Document Format (PDF) version (PDF)
Parents’ Rights
A brief summary of Procedural Safeguards for students with disabilities receiving special education services.
To file for mediation or a due process hearing, contact:
Office of Administrative Hearings
Special Education Division
2349 Gateway Oaks, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95833-4231
Telephone: 916-263-0880
Fax: 916-376-4207
Secure Electronic Filing
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act – Parents and Families
Parents and families want the best for their family members. The Parents and Families Resource page brings together U.S. Department of Education-funded centers, department programs, and additional information of interest for parents and families.