Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service

This project was funded by the Connecticut Children's Trust Fund. The purpose of the project was to increase the number of families from diverse backgrounds who are satisfied with their participation in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) planning process. The goal of the project was to train families on critical points necessary for successful participation in their child's IEP team meetings, train additional parents and school personnel using a train the trainer model, and disseminate training materials to other districts.

• Six training modules were developed on the following topics:
  1. Strategies and tools for districts and parents that prepare all team members to be partners in the IEP team meeting
  2. Assisting families to articulate their priorities for their child, including the use of 'futures planning' tools
  3. Essential components of the IEP
  4. development of individualized goals and objectives, including access to the general education curriculum to the maximum extent appropriate
  5. Rights and responsibilities of all partners in the IEP process
  6. collaboration and resolving differences of opinion or conflict in IEP team meetings.
• A train the trainers model was successfully implemented.
• The six training modules were revised based on trainee feedback and then socially validated nationally.
• The modules have been disseminated.