Parent training centers teach you about your rights and the IEP process. Professional advocates attend meetings with you, negotiate with school districts, and represent your child throughout the school year.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are parent centers?

Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) are federally funded organizations that provide free training, information, and support to families of children with disabilities.

How are free parent centers different from paid advocates?

Parent centers provide education and general guidance. Paid advocates attend IEP meetings with you, negotiate directly with schools, review evaluations, and provide ongoing case management.

When should I hire a paid advocate?

Consider professional advocacy when schools deny services, IEP meetings become contentious, you need help with complex evaluations, or you want someone to actively represent your child throughout the process.

Can I use both free resources and paid advocates?

Yes. Many families use parent centers for education while working with paid advocates for hands-on representation.

What can't free parent centers do?

Free centers typically cannot attend IEP meetings as your representative, negotiate directly with schools, provide individualized case management, or write specific IEP goals for your child.