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This is a great video created by Dr. Jerry Turner. The video talks about the most frequently cited special education laws. It is very important for parents to know these along with special education teachers. This is a great resource for parents to know some of more frequent special education laws. There are so many and parents play a huge role in their child's education and life, especially in special education, it is important for parents to know their rights and what their children are entitled to.

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DRC is the agency designated under federal law to protect and advocate for the rights of Californians with disabilities and are the largest disability rights organization in the nation. They work in litigation, legal representation, advocacy services, investigations and public policy. DRC also provides information, advice, referrals, and community outreach. They have worked to advance the rights of Californians with disabilities in education, employment, independence, health and safety. The website provides a plethora of resources covering many topics including special education.

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Materials and publications in this section help you understand your rights so you can advocate for yourself or another person. If you have any questions or need more help, contact Disability Rights California at 1-800-776-5746, or TTY at:1-800-719-5798: available M-F, 9:00am - 4:00pm.

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Here is a video from January 2021 by Wrights Law about parents advocating for their children with special needs. It helps families navigate the complex world of special education. The goal is for parents to take an active and effective role in managing their child's schooling. They discuss a basic understanding of IDEA 2004, along with tips on how to develop SMART IEPs so parents will be prepared for school meetings, what happens if they disagree, and maintaining healthy relationships with their student's school.

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Advocating For Your Student With Special Needs with WRIGHTSLAW

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This friendly, solution focused law group from Irvine has great resources  on their website for parents of students with special needs. They offer both audio and text files on everything from the IEP process to the legal process of special education. Their mission is advocating and protecting the education and developmental rights of individuals with special needs. They also offer a list of advocates and experts who may be able to assist in current or future endeavors.

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California Department of General Services (DGS)

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California Department of General Services (DGS)

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DGS offers a bunch of resources covering a wide array of special education law topics to support families who may have legal issues with the school. The Special Education Division is part of the Office of Administrative Hearings, which provides fair and neutral resolutions for SPED disputes.

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Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK)

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Team of Advocates for Special Kids (TASK)

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TASK helps families navigate special education, disability services and assistive technology. They promote cooperation between families and schools and provide emotional support, information, direction and any services needed to help the chid be successful. TASK is located in Brea. TASK helps and supports people with disabilities and their families with Special Education, IEPs, 504 Plans and Transition Services to name just a few. The helpful staff can answer questions, review IEP documents, provide youth programs for building social and self-advocacy skills, recommend assistive technology solutions, and offer referrals to support groups and other helpful agencies.

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What We Do: TASK helps families navigate special education, disability services and assistive technology. We provide families with emotional support, information, and direction. When needed, we refer them to other agencies for additional services. Our goal is to promote cooperation between families and schools to help kids succeed.

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TASK - Southern California's Parent Training and Information Center

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What We Do: TASK helps families navigate special education, disability services and assistive technology. We provide families with emotional support, information, and direction. When needed, we refer them to other agencies for additional services. Our goal is to promote cooperation between families and schools to help kids succeed.

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The online-only Complex Child E-Magazine is free and written by parents of special needs children. You can submit your own posts for others to reference, search by topic, or browse the variety of information the website resources. You can also find articles that direct to local resources and organizations.

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Complex Child is an online monthly magazine about caring for a child with complex medical needs or a disability.

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Jolene Philo began this website in 2009 as a gathering place for parents of children with special needs and disabilities. Since then, Different Dream has expanded to include caregivers and other supports the child has in their life. Different Dream offers resources to equip parents to be a confident advocate and offers encouragement. The website offers numerous books for parents and caregivers to read about children with special needs as well as provides useful speaking tools for various topics to help parents better understand the world of special needs.

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Faith Inclusion Network of Hampton Roads

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PHP has over 40 years of supporting families and has a national reputation for being a trusted source of information for helping parents, caregivers, and children with special needs. PHP wants families to be filled with hope and optimism about their child. They share knowledge and skills to create meaningful opportunities and plan for a secure future. https://www.php.com/

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PHP Builds Bright Futures for Children with Special Needs

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Mommies of Miracles is a support group set out to eliminate the isolation mothers of children with complex medical needs by providing an extended network of resources, grief support, and hope.

They are an international, peer-driven support group of mothers who have children of various ages, with complex care needs, many with rare or undiagnosed conditions and developmental disabilities.

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Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

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PR is located in Santa Fe Springs. In 2004, a Social Worker named Una Hayes-Shepard founded Progressive Resources (PR) to serve the unique needs of families with disabilities, and currently serves more than 300. PR has been honored by the Autism Society of America for Outstanding Contributions to the community due to their high quality services. For ages 13-adult, individualized services are designed to address issues that hinder social, emotional, behavioral, and sexual health which are important for higher level skills and independence. There are also group outings that provide opportunities for individuals to participate in fun with peers in their community while building independence. The goal is to build social networks, and practice safety, budgeting, problem-solving, emergency plans, and flexibility for others’ ideas and interests. Individuals meet in the community at designated locations for weekly two-hour sessions. I personally have students who participate and absolutely love it.

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Family Support/Social Groups

(ages 3 - adults)

The individual with developmental and social challenges joins a peer group to learn relationship skills, while parents meet to build a support network and discuss resources, advocacy, and the unique experience of raising their child or adult. The individual's sibling(s) also participate to normalize their own experience and model appropriate interpersonal skills. Staff trained in DIR-Floortime methods focus on meaningful peer interactions to develop social skills in fun and motivating activities. Families attend weekly one-hour sessions. Adult clients may attend without family. A great place to make lifelong friendships and be who you are.

Family Communication Groups

(ages 13 - adults)

Staff trained in multidisciplinary approaches help families to explore their teen/adult's learning styles and expand their functional method of communication unique to them. Participants may be non-verbal, have limited verbal skills, or display challenges in organized thinking and expressive/receptive language. Through meaningful activities, individuals practice communication to develop self-advocacy, as well as discuss social, emotional, and sexual health. A great group for folks to expand self-determination by expressing their own thoughts, ideas, and life goals. Sessions are one-hour weekly. A safe place to find your authentic voice.

Individual Adaptive Skills

(ages 13 - adults)

Individualized services are tailored to address issues that hinder social, emotional, behavioral, and sexual health - critical for higher level skills and independence. The family and Development Specialist explore the individual's unique profile and create attainable goals geared toward their strengths. Sessions focus on building skills for independence within real experiences with family, peers, and others in the community using a developmental model. Weekly sessions are based on individual need. Services are designed to empower individuals and create greater independence.

Out & About Community Groups

(ages 13 - adults)

Groups provide opportunities for individuals to participate in fun outings with peers in their community while building independence. Emphasis is placed on social networks, safety, budgeting, problem-solving, emergency plans, and flexibility for others' ideas and interests. Individuals meet in the community at designated locations for weekly two-hour sessions. Everyone loves this program.

20+ Years of Service

Una Hayes-Shepard, LCSW
Executive Director and Founder

Una's specialty in Autism began in the 1990s during graduate studies and seven years of research and program development at UCLA's Neuropsychiatric Institute. In 2004, she founded Progressive Resources (PR) to serve the unique needs of families with disabilities, and currently serves more than 300. With exceptional services, PR has been honored by the Autism Society of America for Outstanding Contributions to the community. As a life-long learner, Una became a DIR Floortime Fellow through Profectum in 2017, enriching PR's evidence-based practice and expanding our network of consultants for ongoing training of staff.

Join the PR family.
We are here to welcome and support you!

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(ages 3 - adults) The individual with developmental and social challenges joins a peer group to learn relationship skills, while parents meet to build a support network and discuss resources, advocacy, and the unique experience of raising their child or adult. The individual's sibling(s) also participate to normalize their own experience and model appropriate interpersonal skills.

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I personally know students who participate in Special Olympics and the joy they have and friendships they make is so amazing. Kids will develop skills and build self-esteem. They offer seasonal sports training and competitions for all ages and range of skill levels. Special Olympics enables the athletes to show they are more than their disability. They will spread acceptance and inclusion on a community-wide level and live more independently. Their training prepares them to be leaders in competition and in life. https://www.sosc.org/