44 iN*SOURCE

www.insource.org

The mission of IN*SOURCE is to provide parents, families, and service providers in Indiana the information and training necessary to assure effective educational programs and appropriate services for children and young adults with disabilities.

Collaborative Parent Involvement Project

Since the 1970s, IN*SOURCE and the Indiana Department of Education, Division of Special Education, have worked together to address shared educational concerns and issues facing Indiana’s students with disabilities and their families. IN*SOURCE and the Division have initiated the Collaborative Parent Involvement Project (CPIP). CPIP focuses on helping parents, educators and local communities work together to address a variety of challenges including transition, assistive technology and surrogate parent programs and preparing for transitions.

The project also supports ways to facilitate communication among families and various groups to promote sharing of ideas and resources and to foster the development of regional and state networks.

Indiana Parent Training Program

The Indiana Parent Training Program (IPTP) is a federally funded parent-to-parent training and information project that began in 1980. By disseminating information and materials and conducting training workshops throughout Indiana, IPTP instructs parents about their rights and responsibilities in the early intervention and special education processes under state and federal laws.

IPTP provides:

• Individual assistance to parents and professionals.
• Workshops for parents on their rights and responsibilities in the early intervention and special education processes; coping skills and understanding disabilities; state and local services for infants, toddlers, youth and young adults with disabilities.
• Regional Parent Resources (RPRs) to serve as sources of support and information to parents in their local communities.

Regional Rehabilitation Training & Information Project

The Regional Rehabilitation Training and Information Project operates in conjunction with three other Midwest parent training and information centers through a federal grant. This program provides information and training to parents, family members, advocates, and persons with disabilities about the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act and Amendments; understanding the process of making a successful transition from school to adult life; and effectively providing information, individual assistance and training to others.

Unified Training System

IN*SOURCE is part of Indiana’s Unified Training System (UTS) group. The UTS has developed and is implementing a coordinated training and technical assistance system for families and providers serving children with special needs, birth to age six. Financial assistance in the form of reimbursement for UTS activities is available from the Family Involvement Fund through IN*SOURCE.

Parents Helping Parents, A Regional Approach

IN*SOURCE believes in the value of the parent-to-parent model. There is need for parents to acquire knowledge and develop skills in order to be effective participants on decision-making teams. Training and information coming from someone who can identify with and relate to their needs is likely to have a more positive impact on parents’ confidence in their own expertise as parents with vital knowledge of their own children. IN*SOURCE currently has staff located in nine different communities in the state and over 300 Regional Parent Resources statewide. IN*SOURCE believes that parents working with other parents in the community where they live is a very effective means to reach and serve families.

Indiana Resource Center for Families with Special Needs

1703 South Ironwood Drive
South Bend, IN 46613
(574) 234-7107
(800) 332-4433
Insource@insource.org