2. Statewide Parent Training & Information Center Formerly known as Education of All Handicapped Children Act, in 1975 Congress passed a bill, called Public Law 94-142. It’s goal was to insure all children with disabilities receive a free, appropriate, public education, (FAPE), in the least restrictive environment (LRE). Today it is known as IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. PTI’s were born Funded by a federal grant program through the Office of Special Education Programs. All 50 states have a Parent Training & Information Center, some have more depending on the populous.

3. Our Vision -  To promote exceptional quality of life for individuals with disabilities. …by committing, on a statewide level, to improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities through support to their families and their school districts; promoting a ‘community’ environment in which the child can thrive.

4. Our Goal - That the 500,000 children and teens with disabilities living in Arkansas will –  Achieve higher educational goals  Connect with other like minded individuals on similar life journeys  Live fuller, happier lives 

5. Our Role -  As parent mentors, it is our role to empower parents of children with disabilities with the necessary tools to become their child’s advocate.  As advocates, it is our role to ‘stand in the gap’, to create a bridge of communication between the parents, school teachers and the administration in the educational issues that arise.  As parent mentors, it is our job to support teens with disabilities in their transition to adulthood.

6. Our Staff & Board of Directors  OSEP requires that we employ mainly persons with disabilities or parents of children with disabilities.  Six staff persons geographically located across the state.  Multi-cultural Specialist, who travels to all five regions of the state to provide support and training to our Hispanic population.  Our Board of Directors is required to be 51% parents of children with disabilities or self-advocating adults with disabilities. The remaining portion of our board is comprised of similar minded stakeholders, representing all geographical regions across the state. Currently there are seven board members.  TCFEF Ambassadors- $$$$

7. We advocate with heart!

8. Our Regions - 1. Sue McQuay Northeast Arkansas (870) 219.4386 sue.mcquay@tcfef.org 2. Frances Johnson (Se habla Español) East Central Arkansas (501) 398.1646 frances.johnson@tcfef.org 3. Associate Director, Lakesha Whitman Southeast Arkansas (870) 897.4173 lakesha.whitman@tcfef.org 4.Robin Thomas Southwest Arkansas (501) 398.1667 robin.thomas@tcfef.org 5. Loreena Hegenbart North Central Arkansas (870) 897.4175 loreena.hegenbart@tcfef.org 7. Divided among 5 parent mentors Northwest Arkansas (888) 360.9654 staff@tcfef.org

9. Our Workshop Catalogue -  Effective Advocacy for Parents  The Transition to Kindergarten  The Basics of IDEA  The 1,2,3’s of the 504  T.A.C.T - Test Acronyms Create Tension  Understanding the IEP – A Page by Page Perspective  The Journey to Adulthood  Getting and Keeping That First Job  …more to come!

10. Our Contact Information - Facebook/ ExceptionalFamilies Website: www.tcfef.org Telephone: (888) 360-9654 or (870) 336-3012