Student and Family Resources
Current Community Workshops & Events
Resources & Information
- Special Education Processes & Services
- Supports for Families of Children with Disabilities
- Assistive Technology
- Secondary Transition
- Homelessness
- Mental Health
- Surrogate Parent/Guardian Referral
Special Education Processes & Services
Documents and/or Websites Regarding Special Education Processes & Services
- Special Education for School-Aged Children in Pennsylvania - A Guide for Families
- The Reevaluation Process for Students with Disabilities
- Special Education Timelines Overview
- The Delivery of Effective Related Services
- Parents' Rights - Understanding the Procedural Safeguards Notice
- Annotated Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for Families
- Extended School Year Services in Pennsylvania
Video Resources
The ABCs of IEPs
Supports for Families of Children with Disabilities
Documents and/or Websites for Families of Children with Disabilities
- Pennsylvania Parent Guide to Special Education
- Is Your Child Having Difficulty in School? A Guide to Communicating with School Staff
- Understanding the Language of Special Education - A Glossary for Families and Educators
- Top 40 Youth-friendly Acronyms and Initialisms
- Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network - website with resources, events, etc.
Pennsylvania Family Support Community Organizations
- PEAL Center, HUNE, Parent-to-Parent of PA, PaTTAN Customized Professional Development - Entities with government backing/funding
- PA Family Network, your local intermediate unit (IU), plus others that support families in special education. Most of these are staffed by parents of children and young adults with disabilities. Take advantage of their experience and expertise; learn more about special education best practices, attending trainings and conferences on scholarships, and many other resources.
- FAMILIES TO THE MAX (“F2MAX”) – Join the PA Statewide Network in bringing family voice to education. F2MAX is a group of families, like yourself, and some service providers who network, swap stories and resources, attend free trainings and events (most offered virtually), and teach and empower family leadership. Participate at your level of interest and ability; there is no obligation or required time commitment.
- PaTTAN’s Family Resource Group – Be supported by professionals and parents of children with sensory disabilities, e.g., blind/visually impaired, deaf or heard of hearing, deaf-blind.
Local Task Force #15
The mission of the Local Task Force #15 is to provide a public forum that promotes collaboration among parents, educators, and community agency professionals to address issues affecting all students receiving Special Education services in order to strengthen and improve programs and supports in Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, and Northern York Counties.
Exceptional Family Member Program for Active Duty U.S. Military Families
Video Resources
Parent Consultants: Supporting Family-School Partnerships for Student Success
Youth engagement? Yes, please!
Pennsylvania's Special Education Advisory Panel
Assistive Technology
Secondary Transition
Documents and/or Websites Regarding Secondary Transition Opportunities
- Camp Hill School District's High School Counseling Center
- Pennsylvania Secondary Transition Roadmap
- Customized Employment
- Exploring the Options of a Two- or Four-Year College
- Promoting Independent Living While Still in School
- Financial Fundamentals
- The Importance of Employment
- Understanding Self-Advocacy
- Why Should a Student Work with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
- Pennsylvania Community of Transition Resources
- Transition Discoveries
- Study Money - Financial Literacy for Students
- Cents and Sensibility - Financial Literacy Curriculum for Individuals with Disabilities
Video Resources
Special Education Memorandum of Understanding around Secondary Transition
Secondary Transition Planning from Multiple Perspectives
Collaboration to Enhance Transition
Speak Up! Self-Advocacy
Middle School Success: Path to Graduation
Transition 2019
Homelessness
Documents and/or Websites Regarding Homelessness
- Pennsylvania Region 3 Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program (ECYEH) - Program Contacts and Information
- Finding Your Way in PA - Phone App for Homeless Individuals with Resources
- Pennsylvania Shelter Directory
- The Bridge Project in PA - Online Mental Health Services for Youth Experiencing Homelessness
- ECYEH Parents and Students Educational Rights Overview
Contact Information for Assistance Resources
- Cumberland County's Homeless Assistance Program, 20 North Hanover Street Suite 300 Carlisle, PA 17013
- Last names beginning with A-I call: 717-240-6117
- Last names beginning with J-Z call: 717-240-6112
- Toll Free: 1-888-697-0371 ext 6110, Fax: 717-243-4750
- Carlisle C.A.R.E.S. (Combined Area Resources for Emergency Shelter), 50 West Penn Street, Carlisle, PA 17013
- Email: info@carlislecares.org
- Phone: 717-249-1009, Fax: 717-243-5103
Mental Health
Surrogate Parent/Guardian Referral
A surrogate parent is someone who may assume the responsibilities in matters relating to the identification, evaluation, and educational placement of students for whom no parent or guardian can be identified, or their whereabouts is unknown, or the child is a ward of the state. Surrogate parents are volunteers who are trained by the intermediate unit to serve in this capacity. To qualify as a surrogate parent you must meet the following qualifications:
• Be a volunteer.
• Be a person of good character.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Possess reasonable abilities to make a decision concerning a student’s educational needs.
• Be committed to acquaint themselves with the person’s educational needs and with Pennsylvania’s educational system.
• Have no vested interest that would conflict with the primary allegiance to the person they would represent.
Duties of a surrogate parent include becoming familiar with special education regulations, being involved in the ER/IEP process and receiving notifications regarding evaluation and/or placement of the student. If you or someone you know has an interest in serving as a surrogate parent, contact Autumn Reely, Director of Special Education / Student Services at 717-901-2400 Option 5.