Popular Training Descriptions

Below is a list of some of the training topics that are offered by the Parent Network of the Capital Region. This includes some of our newer trainings as well as some of our more popular training topics.

How Does Your Child’s IEP Measure Up?  Understanding Your Child’s 2010-2011 IEP

The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is the backbone of your child’s education and the document that determines the obligations of the school district to your child.  Participants in this workshop will gain a practical understanding of the purpose and requirements of IEPs and will be given the tools and opportunity to see determine if their child’s IEP measures up.  


The Scoop on Special Ed Services & Extended School Year

This presentation will provide an understanding of the many services and placement options in the special education continuum.  Examples include:  self-contained and integrated classrooms, consultant teachers, 1:1 and shared aides, counseling, social skills groups, resource rooms, related services and parent training.  Participants will also learn about testing, homework and other accommodations, and the ins and outs of extended school year services.  

Behavior Challenges at School: Functional Behavior Assessments and Positive Behavioral Supports for Students with Disabilities

Too often, behavior challenges related to a student’s disability can significantly interfere with learning.  This workshop will give parents and advocates a solid understanding of a school’s obligation to address behavior using a functional behavioral assessments (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP). Participants will leave with answers to these key questions:  Should my child have a FBA and BIP?  What do they mean?  How can I get one? What if it doesn’t work?

Bullying & Harassment of Students with Disabilities


We all know that the impact of bullying can be devastating, particularly for students with disabilities.  Learn practical strategies for preventing and addressing bullying and harassment at school, and what to do if your child is the bully.

Staying Organized &Working with Your Child’s Educational Team

When parents and school work together, the child always benefits.  Unfortunately, poor communication, misunderstanding, and differing opinions can make school relationships frustrating and overwhelming.  In this workshop, participants will learn simple, practical strategies for working with your child’s educational team to build effective communication and more effective IEPs.  We will also provide participants with a fail-proof strategy for organizing records and documenting important communications with school personnel so that you always have the information you need for effective advocacy right at your fingertips.

Leveling the Playing Field: Helping Foster Children Achieve Success at School (A Training for Foster Parents)

Children in the foster care system have faced a variety of stressors in their lives. Frequent moves, delays in putting appropriate academic services into place, lack of family support, frequent out-of-school appointments, and other factors put foster children at greater risk for academic struggle and failure. Statistics show that at least 50% of children in foster care have some sort of developmental delay and 60% drop out of school before graduation. This training will provide information about the educational challenges faced by foster children and some supports that can be put in place. Information about transition planning for children in the special education system will also be provided.

This is Not the Life I Imagined: Grief & Coping Skills for Parents of Children with Disabilities

When a child is diagnosed with a disability, the whole family is affected. Parents of children with disabilities often experience “chronic sorrow” that is described as a long-term form of grief that begins at the time of a child’s diagnosis and recurs at various transitions in the family and child life cycle. This training will give an overview of the grief cycle, focusing on the effects of grief on the family.  In addition, information will be provided on various coping mechanisms that can be helpful in dealing with stress related to caring for a child with a disability.

Parenting a Child with ADHD: Building Supports at Home & at School

This training will provide an overview of the impact of ADHD on a child cognitively, socially, and emotionally in both early childhood and adolescence. We will discuss strategies and accommodations that can be used a home and at school that can help children with ADHD achieve success. In addition, we will talk about the overlap between ADHD and other disorders. Parents will be provided with checklists, sample forms, and other handouts that will serve as useful tools in working with your child’s school.

Grandparents Who Have Grandchildren with Developmental Disabilities

Every grandparent hopes and prays that a new grandchild will be healthy. We count our grandchild’s fingers and toes after they are born. Most of the time, we breathe a sigh of relieve because our grandchild is just fine. But sometimes there are challenges. We may find out that the newest addition to our family has a disability. We ache for our grandchild and for the child’s parents. When a child is diagnosed with a disability, the whole family is affected. This workshop will be an opportunity for grandparents to share supports and network. There will also be an overview of how grandparents who have grandchildren with special needs may have to grandparent differently. Topics will include: from grieving to helping, the power of knowledge, and tips for dealing with disabilities.

Overview of the Special Education Process

This training is for parents and professionals that are new to the special education process. Topics will include: special education law, services that children ages birth to 21 are entitled to, how to work with special education team, and a description of the Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) and what it should include. This workshop can be customized to focus on a specific age group (e.g., early childhood, pre-school, or school age).

The Process of Early Intervention

This training is tailored towards parents of children ages birth to 3 who have a developmental delay. It will describe the early intervention process and services that children are entitled to. An overview of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) will also be provided.

About Our Trainings

This list does not include all of the trainings that we are able to offer, so if you don’t see something on the list and you have a request for a specific special education related topic, please feel free to contact us to discuss the topic.

Our trainings are offered free of charge and we travel to 13 different counties, so please consider scheduling us to offer a training in your area. We are able to offer trainings during the day or during the evening. In order to travel to an area, we need at least 6 people to register for the training.

Also, please check out our website for information about our fall conference that is being held in September.

To schedule a training, please contact us at (518)640-3320 or e-mail Adene Karhan at adkarhan@pncrny.org.