Apply for Parents in Partnership Training

Seeking Call for “Parents in Partnership” Proposals 2009-2010 With a new year upon us, it is time to begin planning for "Parents in Partnership" trainings for the 2009-2010 year. The 2009-2010 “Call for Parents in Partnership” proposal can be downloaded at http://www.dpi.wi.gov/sped/hmnew.html or http://www.dpi.wi.gov/sped/par_traing.html . Parents in Partnership (PIP) is a four or five part leadership opportunity for parents, foster parents, or other care givers who have children with special needs, 6-14 years old or youth with special needs 12-21 years old. Parents who participate have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, support networks, and positive parent-professional partnerships. The Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative (WSPEI) of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction through federal special education discretionary funds sponsors PIP. These proposals can be submitted from communities or parent groups that would like to host Parents in Partnership training. A limited number of PIP trainings will be provided. Groups making a request must be able to identify 12 or more parents who have not attended a PIP and are willing to commit 4 to 5 weekends during the school year to the training. A weekend includes Friday 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The parents will have children or youth who have special needs who are in one of the age groups described above. Training for parents of 12-21 year olds will focus on transitioning from school to adult goals and services. Proposals must be submitted by March 17, 2009 to: WSPEI, Martha DeYoung P.O. Box 564, Portage, WI 53901 608/742-8814 ext. 25 or deyoungm@cesa5.k12.wi.us