The Parent Training and Information Program

What is the Parent Training and Information Program?

The Parent Training and Information Program (PTIP) is a program of Putnam Independent Living Services (PILS- a satellite office of WILC). PTIP informs parents of children with special needs about their rights in the education system.

Parents and other adults who care for and care about children with disabilities want to assure that the children they love get the best education possible.

Putnam Independent Living Services's Parent Training and Information Program (PTIP) helps parents increase their confidence and develop advocacy skills that will benefit their children.

The Parent Training and Information Program offers workshops and ongoing support for parents of children with disabilities to help them gain the knowledge and skills they need to be advocates for their children.

Separate trainings and workshops are offered for professionals who work with children with disabilities and their families.

The Parent Training and Information Program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, through The Advocacy Center in Rochester, NY.

By working with PTIP, parents of children with disabilities will:

• Gain greater understanding of their children's disabilities, as well as their educational and developmental needs.
• Learn more about their children's rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) - including access to early intervention services.
• Learn how to communicate effectively with schools and teachers.
• Build stronger partnerships with their school districts.
• Increase their knowledge of the range of options and services available to them.
• Get information about other community resources.
• Connect with other parents who understand and share their challenges.
• Become strong and positive advocates for their children.

PTIP Workshops and Trainings are provided on
the following Principles of IDEA:

• Free Appropriate Public Education - FAPE
• Appropriate Evaluation
• Individualized Education Program - IEP
• Least Restrictive Environment
• Parent and Student Participation in Decision Making
• Procedural Safeguards (Laws and Regulations)

PTIP covers the following Geographic Areas:

• Dutchess County
• Orange County
• Putnam County
• Rockland County
• Sullivan County
• Ulster County
• Westchester County

For Information on PTIP:

• Call PTIP's Toll Free Number 1-888-788-6268
  This telephone number was established to assist in the dissemination of PTIP information.
• Check out PTIP's Web Site www.ParentTIP.org
  This web site was developed to provide information on 1) PTIP, 2) IDEA, 3) diverse disabilities, 4) available resources, and 5) workshops and trainings. The site also features links to related sites. The site is Bobby Approved, which means it is accessible to persons with disabilities.
• Contact Putnam Independent Living Services 845-228-7457 (Voice)
  845-228-7459 (TTY)
  For access to PTIP services, for PTIP information, and/or to be notified of up-coming workshops and/or PTIP trainings, call PILS.