Parents in Partnership (PIP)

The Parents In Partnership program (PIP) is a four- or five-part leadership opportunity for parents, foster parents, or other care givers who have children, 6-14 years old, or youth 13-21 years old with special needs. Parents will have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, support networks, and positive parent-professional partnerships. You will meet with parents, educators, state agency personnel, and other statewide leaders over the course of these five sessions. You will also have time to share your own stories, obtain useful information, and strengthen skills that will enable you to communicate more effectively with educational, medical, and human service providers.

Topic areas may include IDEA and the special education process, policymaking, citizen participation, and community inclusion of youth with special needs. Participants will share information about resources, collaborative teams, advocacy, and conflict management skills.

This program is funded by the Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative (WSPEI), through an IDEA Discretionary Grant from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

Parents In Partnership will:

• Coordinate speakers based on the needs of the group and may include policy making, citizen participation, and school/community inclusion of youth with special needs
• Support parents to enable attendance by covering meals and offering a small stipend to help offset child care and travel expenses
• Encourage parents to become active participants in their child's education and community by assisting parents to choose an activity that will create a positive change
• Support parent-professional collaboration by offering the unique opportunity to bring parents and school staff together for one weekend to explore relevant topics

What Does it Cost?

We ask that parents make a commitment to attend all sessions (four or five weekends). In return for your time and energy, the Parents in Partnership program will cover your meals and costs of providing the training. (Other family members may join but you will be responsible for all of their expenses.) Reimbursement for a portion of child care and travel expenses is available for each of the sessions.

Registration

If you are a parent, or care giver of a child/young adult who has a disability and want to be part of this exciting partnership, register soon! Partnership sessions are limited to 25 participants. People selected for Partnership commit themselves to attend all sessions. We encourage couples to participate together, if possible. Single parents are welcome to bring a support person with them to participate in our program, provided this person shares responsibility for your child.

Brochure - YIPPE (Youth in Partnership with Parents for Empowerment), Wisconsin Dells: October 9-10, 2009; November 13-14, 2009; January 15-16, 2010; March 12-13, 2010; April 23-24, 2010

Brochure - October 9-10, 2009: YIPPE, Sauk Prairie: October 9-10, 2009; November 13-14, 2009; January 15-16, 2010; March 12-13, 2010; April 23-24, 2010

Brochure - Onalaska: October 16-17, 2009; December 4-5, 2009; January 22-23, 2010; March 5-6, 2010; April 23-24, 2010

Brochure - Parents in Partnership (PIP), Appleton: November 13-14, 2009; January 22-23, 2010; February 26-27, 2010; March 26-27, 2010; May 7-8, 2010

Brochure - Parents as Leaders, Green Lake: Nov. 6-7, 2009; Jan. 22-23, 2010; March 12-13, 2010; May 7-8, 2010

2010-2011 Call for Parents in Partnership (PIP)
2010-2011 Call for Youth in Partnership with Parents for Empowerment (YiPPE)

For questions about this information, contact Patricia A. Bober (608) 266-5194

Last updated on 12/30/2009 10:29:17 AM