PA PIRC Quarterly Newsletter
The PA PIRC newsletter is intended to provide useful information to parents, educators and administrators. Each issue will contain information about early childhood education, No Child Left Behind, Family-School-Community Partnerships, dates of upcoming events and other pertinent information. Please share this newsletter with others.
- Fall, 2007 issue (PDF format)
- Winter, 2007 issue (English) (PDF format)
- Winter, 2007 issue (Spanish) (PDF format)
Websites and Organizations
Education and Legislation
Pennsylvania Department of Education
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) website includes information about Pennsylvania schools, legislation, initiatives and PDE contacts.
Pennsylvania Department of Education – Academic Achievement Report
The Academic Achievement Report lists information about Pennsylvania school districts and individual schools regarding adequate yearly progress as defined by No Child Left Behind.
United States Department of Education
The United States Department of Education website includes information regarding No Child Left Behind regulations, policy guidance, information and publications.
No Child Left Behind: What Parents Need To Know (PDF format)
This easy to read guide explains the NCLB legislation and what it means for parents and their children.
Disability and Special Health
Beach Center on Families and Disability University of Kansas
Haworth Hall, Room 3136
1200 Sunnyside Avenue
Lawrence, KS 66045
Phone: 785-864-7600(V/TTY) Fax: 785-864-7605
E-mail: beachcenter@ku.edu
Website: www.beachcenter.org
The goal of this organization is to provide families with the resources and skills needed to help their children with disabilities to reach their full potential. They conduct research on empowering adolescents and parents of children with disabilities, efficacy of parent-to-parent support, family support policy, friendship, family-centered care, child abuse and neglect, and the role of fathers.
Family Voices
3411Candelana, NE, Suite H
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Phone: 505-872-4774 or 888-835-5669 Fax: 505-872-4780
Email: kidshealth@familyvoices.org
Website: www.familyvoices.org
National grassroots organization of families and friends speaking on behalf of children with special health care needs. Family Voices was founded by parents who developed national and state family networks and organizations to improve the health and education systems that serve their children. The goal is to help shape national, state, and local health care policy and practice in private and public health care systems by:
- Supporting a national network of volunteer regional and state coordinators who provide information to families and policymakers.
- Serving as a clearinghouse to keep its members informed about health care issues.
- Forming partnerships with professionals and other state and national organizations to make sure the voices of families are heard. Is a FRCA partner in disseminating guidelines for health supervision of children and adolescents.
Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
1101 King Street, Suite 420
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-684-7710 Fax: 703-836-1040
Email: ffcmh@crosslink.net
Website: www.ffcmh.org
This national parent-run organization focuses on the needs of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders and their families. They serve as a catalyst for change by promoting partnerships among family members, professionals, and other interested citizens to improve services for children with emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders and also provide leadership training of parents in advocacy and community outreach.
March of Dimes
1275 Mamaroneck Ave.
White Plains, NY 10605
Phone: 914-997-4488
Website: www.marchofdimes.com
This organization provides information regarding pregnancy, birth defects, and understanding your newborn.
Parent Education Network (PEN) provides information for parents of children with special needs, and includes links to federal special education, transportation, and other relevant websites.
Parenting
Prenatal to Kindergarten
Born Learning is a public engagement campaign to help parents, grandparents, and caregivers explore ways to turn everyday moments into fun learning opportunities.
Website maintained by the Head Start Bureau as an electronic resource for Head Start service providers, parents, volunteers, community organizations, and others, who share an interest in helping children, look forward to a brighter future.
Healthy Families America provides information to help expectant and new parents get their children off to a healthy start.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
1509 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036-1426
Phone: 800-424-2460 or 202-232-8777 Fax: 202-328-1846
Email: naeyc@naeyc.org
Website: http://www.naeyc.org
NAEYC is the largest membership organization of early childhood professionals that works to increase public understanding and support for high-quality programs for young children and their families through public policy and public education initiatives. They collaborate with media representatives and government representatives at all levels to advocate for services for children and families.
Parents as Teachers
2228 Ball Drive
St. Louis, MO 63146
Phone: 314-432-4330 or 888-728-4968 Fax: 314-432-8963
Email: info@parentsasteachers.org
Website: www.patnc.org
Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a research-based, nationally-replicated program to provide parents with the information and support they need to give their children the best possible start in life. PAT is in partnership with local programs such as Head Start, Family Centers and schools which offer home visits, group meetings, developmental screenings, and information and referral to parents of children prenatal to school entrance. PAT offers a variety of training and technical assistance to local programs.
Information is provided regarding pregnancy and the effects that drugs, medications, chemicals and other exposures may have on the fetus.
The Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Family Resource Institute
PO Box 2525
Lynnwood, WA 98036
Phone: 800-999-3429 or 235-531-2878 Fax: 253-531-2668
Email: vicky@fetalalcoholsyndrome.org
Website: www.fetalalcoholsyndrome.org
This national organization works with parents and professionals to help them identify, understand, and care for individuals with fetal alcohol syndrome and prenatal alcohol related disabilities.
The Agriculture Department and the Office of the Surgeon General are partnering with TodoBebe, which means “everything baby,” to provide health information to Spanish speaking families, including promotion of prenatal care, having a baby and being a parent. The website is also available in Portuguese.
U.S. Department of Education
Zero to three is a booklet that provides information on training, policy and parent resources.
Report of the BUILD Infant-Toddler Mental Health Symposium: Current Trends and Visions for the Future, December 2007 (PDF format)
General Parenting
American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers information on physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents and young adults is provided.
Best Books for Babies is an initiative developed by Beginning with Books in an effort to highlight the importance of reading to babies. Since 1999, a committee comprised of librarians, child development experts, and academic has reviewed hundreds of books for babies published in the prior year. Selection for the list is based on the following criteria: age appropriate subject, format, and theme; clear, uncluttered illustrations; distinguished writing; easy physical manipulation by the intended audience; and interactive potential.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
U.S. Department of Health
This website provides information regarding disease control and prevention.
Center on Fathers, Families and Public Policy
The Center for Family Policy and Practice (CFFPP) is a nationally-focused public policy organization conducting policy research, technical assistance, training, litigation and public education in order to focus attention on the barriers faced by never-married, low-income fathers and their families.
Families and Work Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization that studies the changing workforce, the changing workplace, the changing family and the changing community. Information regarding research, publications, upcoming events and related news is provided.
Helping Your Child Become a Reader
U.S. Department of Education
Information is provided about learning to read, activities, and resources. Information is available in English and Spanish.
Helping Your Child With Homework
U.S. Department of Education
Information is provided on how to help your child with homework, involvement in your child’s education, summer learning, health/safety, and special needs.
National Center on Fathers and Families
University of Pennsylvania
3440 Market Street, Suite 450
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 215-573-5500
Website: www.ncoff.gse.upenn.edu
The primary goals of the National Center on Fathers and Families are to: Expand the knowledge base on father involvement, family efficacy and child well-being, within multiple disciplines through research and development, integrated discussion, and information building, to strengthen practice through practitioner-targeted conversations, information dissemination, and collaborative activities and to contribute to critical policy discussions by creating a coherent agenda of work that is built around existing and emerging local, state, and federal efforts.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) is the steward of medical and behavioral research for the nation. Its mission is science in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability.
Reading is Fundamental
1875 Connecticut Ave., NW
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 1-877-RIF-READ
Website: www.rif.org
Reading is Fundamental (RIF) was founded in 1966 and motivates children to read by working with them, their parents, and community members to make reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life. RIF's highest priority is reaching underserved children from birth to age 8. Through a national, grassroots network of community volunteers at 21,000 program sites, RIF provides 5 million children with 17 million new, free books and literacy resources each year.
Family-School-Community Partnerships
Harvard Family Research Project
Harvard Family Research Project (HFRP) was founded in 1983 at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. HFRP strives to promote more effective educational practices, programs, and policies for disadvantaged children and youth by generating, publishing, and disseminating research.
Intercultural Development Research Association
5835 Callaghan Road, Suite 350
San Antonio, TX 78228-1190
Phone: 210-444-1710 Fax: 210-444-1714
Website: www.idra.org
IDRA is a vanguard leadership development and research team working with people to create self-renewing schools that value and empower all children, families and communities.
Mission Homefront
Center for Schools and Communities
275 Grandview Avenue
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Website: www.center-school.org/homefront
The Pennsylvania Department of Education, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Center for Schools and Communities, have joined forces in an initiative entitled Mission Homefront to address the needs of children and families affected by military deployment, particularly as it relates to academic achievement. Mission Homefront is designed to educate and provide resources for Pennsylvania’s school personnel and families who are struggling with the impact of deployment on Pennsylvania’s children.
Pennsylvania provides the nation’s highest number of National Guard troops and the third largest number of all personnel serving in the military effort. This important initiative will help ensure an optimal learning environment is maintained for children in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania affected by military deployment. Mission Homefront presents essential facts regarding military deployment, provides professional development opportunities to help educators understand deployment and its impact on children,
assists schools in identifying the number of students in their district affected by deployment, offers strategies to support students and their families before, during and after deployment, and reinforces the critical role of parents and educators in providing stability during the challenges of deployment.
National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education
c/o National Community Education Association
3929 Old Lee Highway, Suite 91A
Fairfax, VA 22030-2401
Phone: 703-359-8973 Fax: 703-359-0972
Website: www.ncpie.org
This organization advocates for the involvement of parents in their children’s education and fosters relationships among home, school, and community that enhance young people’s education. Is a collaboration of education, community, and public service organizations nationwide. The National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education provides information on publications, training, and services available.
National Network of Partnership Schools
Johns Hopkins University
Center on School, Family, and Community Partnerships
3003 North Charles Street, Suite 200
Baltimore, MD 21218
Phone: 410-516-8818 Fax: 410-516-8890
Email: nnps@csos.jhu.edu
Website: www.csos.jhu.edu/P2000/
This organization provide information on the essential components of school organization that influence student development and learning by helping schools develop and maintain programs of partnerships with parents.
Partnership for Family Involvement in Education
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202-8173
Phone: 202-401-2000 Fax: 202-205-9133
Email: partner@ed.gov
Website: www.ed.gov/pubs/whoweare/index.html
Partnership for Family Involvement in Education seeks to encourage the development of family-school-community partnerships to promote children’s learning and improve education and is committed to improving local schools and increasing family involvement in education. Online Resources are available.
National PTA
330 N Wabash Avenue, Suite 2100
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-670-6782 or 800-307-4782 Fax: 312-670-6783
Email: info@pta.org
Website: www.pta.org
The National Congress of Parents and Teachers provides information for parents, teachers, students, principals, administrators, and others interested in uniting the forces of home, school, and community on behalf of children and youth.
Parent Training & Information Centers
Alliance National Center
8161 Normandale Blvd.
Minneapolis, MN 55437
Phone: 888-248-0822
Website: http://www.taalliance.org/Centers/index.htm
Parent Training and Information Centers provides a list of parent training and information centers in the United States. Many centers serve the entire state while others are community-based and serve more local areas.
Southwest Educational Development Laboratory
Southwest Educational Development Laboratory is a private, non-profit educational research, development and dissemination corporation. SEDL creates and provides research-based products and services to improve teaching and learning.
National Parent Leadership Training Programs
Parent Advocates for Youth
459 Vienna
San Francisco, CA 94112
Phone: 415-239-0161 Fax: 415/239-0584
E-mail: info@colemanadvocates.org
Website: www.colemanadvocates.org/affiliates/pay.html
Parent Advocates for Youth (PAY) is the parent advocacy training and leadership arm of Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth. The group was founded in 1994 with parents of youth in Coleman's youth organizing group (Y-MAC) because Coleman staff and Board believed that the voices most absent from the policymaking process were among those most impacted by city policies – namely parents. PAY has become one of the most respected parent organizations in San Francisco.
Parent Leadership Program
The ARC Michigan
1325 S Washington Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: 800-292-7851 or 517-487-5426 Fax: 517-487-0303
Website: www.arcmi.org
Provides training for parents of children with special needs.
Parents Anonymous
675 West Foothill Blvd. Suite 220
Claremont, CA 91711-3475
Phone: 909-621-6184 Fax: 909-625-6304
E-mail: parentsanonymous@parentsanonymous.org
Website: www.parentsanonymous.org
This national organization provides technical assistance and training on a variety of leadership skills for parents. They train parents to train other parents to operate mutual support groups. Their vision is based on parents’ input, leadership, and mutual support as essential components in strengthening families and preventing child abuse and neglect.
Parents as Leaders
240 Waisman Center
1500 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53706
Phone: 608-263-6745 Fax: 608-263-0529
E-mail: swedeen@waisman.wisc.edu
Website: www.waisman.wisc.edu/cedd/index.html
Parents as Leaders provide training for caregivers of children birth-6 years who have special needs.
Safety
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
511 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 700
Irving, TX 75062
Phone: 800-438-6233
Website: www.madd.org
This parent-led organization trains parents to get involved in schools and talk to the media to advocate against drunk driving. MADD parents serve on public, law enforcement, and legislative advisory boards and aid in establishing local and county initiatives and task forces. Parents provide victim assistance and conduct outreach. Workshops and publications are available on the website.
Safe Kids promotes the prevention of childhood injuries in Pennsylvania through education, collaboration and advocacy.
Center for Schools and Communities
275 Grandview Ave., Suite 200
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Phone: 717-763-1661
Website: www.pasafekids.org
PA Safe Kids promotes prevention of childhood injuries in Pennsylvania through education, collaboration, and advocacy. The site provides information regarding fire, pedestrian, water, motor vehicle and bicycle safety.
Center for Safe Schools
Center for Schools and Communities
275 Grandview Ave., Suite 200
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Phone: 717-763-1661
Website: www.safeschools.org
The Center for Safe Schools seeks creative and effective solutions to problems that disrupt the educational process and affect school safety. Training, technical assistance, and a clearinghouse of video and print materials are available through the Center to help schools identify and implement effective programs and practices. The Center also maintains a database of resources available to assist school districts.
Voices for America’s Children
1522 K Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-289-0777 Fax: 202-289-0776
Website: www.voicesforamericaschildren.org
This advocacy organization is dedicated to securing the safety, health, and education of children by building and strengthening state and community-based child advocacy organizations. Voices for America’s Children engage in advocacy work with policymakers and the media.
U.S. Lead Information Center, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Information is provided regarding primary sources of lead exposure, regulations and policy.