Resources for Families Working with Students with Disabilities

  • New (posted 8/21/20)

    Center for Parent information and Resources (CIPR): CIPR, funded by OSEP, is the central “Hub” of information and products created for the nationwide network of Parent Centers serving families of children with CIPR has created a brief list of resources to address key issues COVID-19 materials in other languages, schooling at home, telecommuting technology and tips, coping tips and other useful information. The list will be continually updated.

    National Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS): The National Technical Assistance Center on PBIS, funded by OSEP and the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, has shared resources to support students during the Supporting Families with PBIS at Home provides information for families on setting routines, expectations and supporting mental wellness. Getting Back to School after Disruptions provides information for school teams and families to help students transition back to the school environment.

    National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI): NCPMI is funded by the OSEP to improve and support the capacity of state systems and local programs to implement an early childhood multi-tiered system of support to improve the social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes of young children with, and at risk for, developmental disabilities or delays. NCPMI’s Emergencies and National Disasters: Helping Children and Families Cope webpage includes resources to support families in helping young children cope with the challenges that might occur during stressful emergency or disaster situations. This website will be updated as more resources are obtained.

    Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules (AFIRM): AFIRM is an extension of the National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder, funded through OSEP to promote the use of evidence-based practices for children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders, birth to 22 years of age. AFIRM’s Supporting Individuals with Autism through Difficult Times includes seven support strategies for caregivers designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with autism during the Coronavirus.

    Transition Resources

    National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT): NTACT, a Technical Assistance and Dissemination project funded by OSEP and USDE’s Rehabilitation Services Administration, has assembled resources to support the provision of meaningful transition services during the COVID-19 pandemic. NTACT provides Toolkits and Quick Guides, as well as resources from partner centers and organizations which provide information on transition assessment and activities for developing independent living skills, preparing for post-secondary education and training as well as exploring careers. NTACT hosted a Providing Transition-Focused Activities Online and At Home webinar on March 24, 2020 focused on sharing resources with practitioners and families, desiring to provide meaningful transition services during the COVID-19

    CareerZone: CareerZone is a no-cost online career exploration and planning tool developed by the New York State Department of Labor. It offers career and education information on thousands of careers, as well as, self-assessment and career planning tools. Career Zone is appropriate for users from middle school through adult. Using this site, students can explore careers related to their strengths, skills and talents. Students can create a free online portfolio that provides a series of activities and assessments. As students work through the portfolio, their career plans is being created and can be downloaded and

    Explore-Work.com: The Workforce Innovation Technical Assistance Center, Employment Resources, Inc., the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Wisconsin-Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute launched Explore-com, a series of web-based modules for students with disabilities specific to the five required Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act pre-employment transition service activities.