Parent / Caregiver Leadership
Families lead the way in creating and improving systems for our children.
The Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) was founded in 1974 by a group of families and advocates in Massachusetts who shaped laws that transformed how childen would be treated at school, in healthcare, and in their communities. These individuals went on to advocate for national special education laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Families’ lived experience has proven to be a powerful force for systemic change. Your lived experience matters. Join us. We need your leadership, too!
Professional Development for Parent/Caregiver Leaders
A.P.P.L.E. Institute
Barbara Popper Family Leadership Institute
MassPAC
Parent Consultant Training Institute
Advancing Parent / Professional Leadership in Education (A.P.P.L.E.) Institute is a free, virtual program designed to help family leaders, school and district administrators, and community members form strong, collaborative teams to improve outcomes for students.
Newly-created in 2025, the Popper Institute is an incubator for transformative leadership. Through hands-on experiences, network-building, and structured learning, the Institute prepares parent/caregiver leaders to transform the systems that affect our children.
The Parent Consultant Training Institute (PCTI) provides intensive advocacy training on special education laws and procedures. Participants learn from experts in the field, network with each other, and become part of a community dedicated to supporting children in special education.
