Parent & Educator Connection - Information and Services
About the Parent-Educator Connection

The Parent-Educator Connection (PEC), sponsored by the Iowa Department of Education, Bureau of Children, Family and Community Services, began in 1984 to provide parents and educators with opportunities to work together in positive ways to improve educational programs for children/youth with special needs.

As a parent or an educator, you can receive the following services:

• Answers to questions and help in locating resources
• In-service sessions for parents and educators
• Assistance in facilitating meetings such as support groups
• Access to a resource library of books, pamphlets, videos and audiotapes on special education and other issues including disabilities, families and home-school relationships

Individual Assistance and Support

Assistance

• Before and after the IEP meeting
• In facilitating and/or organizing mini-workshops
• In multi-agency networking
• In setting up a support group
• Locating another parent to visit with

Educational Opportunities

• Annual State PEC Conference
• Regional mini-workshops

PEC offers speakers on a variety of topics

• What the Parent-Educator Connection is, and how it can assist educators and families
• What it is like to have a child with a disability
• What educators and other professionals have done that helped or hindered families
• How educators and families can communicate effectively
• Tips on how to work with families
• What it's like to be a brother or sister of an individual with special needs

Website questions or comments: Michele Harrison or Kyla Alba or Amy Liddell