PCTI 2023 Schedule of Courses
We are excited to be offering 4 Parent Consultant Training Institutes (PCTIs) and 1 Community Special Education Mentors (CSEM) programs in 2023! Each session will be offered in a different format to account for scheduling needs and will have options for learners of all levels of experience or knowledge.
Please see the schedule and description for each program we will be offering this year. Please note, this schedule is subject to change.
Winter 2023 PCTI
Saturday, January 14th-Saturday, April 1st (Tuesday sessions with first and last days hosted on Saturday in-person)
This 10-week session will begin on Saturday, January 14th in-person at the FCSN office (with a virtual option) from 9am-3:30pm. The remainder of the course will be virtual and held on Tuesdays (8:30am-3:30pm), with a final in person celebration on Saturday, April 1st. Tuesday sessions will consist of 2-3 presentations led by FCSN staff, attorneys, experts in special education, representatives from state departments, and more. There will be optional weekly discussion sessions on Thursdays from 12pm-1:30pm, where we will cover key points from presentations, discuss the content, complete activities, and network.
Spring 2023 Community Special Education Mentors (CSEM) Program
Dates: TBD
This course is facilitated by Pathways for Parents Program at the Federation. CSEM’s complete a PCTI course (free of charge) and commit to 1 year of volunteering with their local Family Resource Centers (FRC). CSEMs will work with families in their community to help them understand their child’s special needs and education right, and how to advocate effectively for their child in IEP meetings. CSEMs will meet with families before their IEP meeting, attend the meeting with them, and review the results after the meeting. For more information on the CSEM program, contact Eileen Sandberg at esandberg@fcsn.org.
Summer 2023 5-Day Intensive PCTI
Dates: Monday, June 26th – Friday, June 30th (Optional: Monday July 10th-Friday, July 14th)
This condensed PCTI session will consist of 5-consecutive days of presentations from 9am-4pm. 2-3 presentations led by FCSN staff, attorneys, experts in special education, representatives from state departments, and more. There will be an option to attend a second 5-day week with sessions from 12pm-1:30pm to provide opportunity for discussion, activities, networking, and additional presentations. Registration will open in April.
Summer 2023 Asynchronous/Live program (with weekly live support and discussion)
Monday, July 17th – Friday, September 1st
Our Asynchronous PCTI option will provide a self-guided alternative to our live synchronous sessions. This option provides participants with access to presentation recordings (from previous PCTI sessions) and interactive activities in the form of weekly online learning modules made available on the Canvas Learning Platform. Participants will have 3 recorded sessions to view week, as well as the option to complete an online discussion assignment OR 1 live/virtual discussion session each week of the course. There will also be a live/virtual Welcome session at the beginning of the course (Monday, July 17th, 6pm-8pm) and a live/virtual Reflection & Celebration at the end (Thursday, August 31st), both of which will be recorded. Registration will open in May.
Fall 2023 PCTI Program Offered in a Language other than English
Dates: TBD
Each fall, the Federation offers a PCTI course in a language other than English. We will have more information regarding this session soon.
NOTE: We highly recommend that PCTI attendees have some familiarity with special education procedures (i.e., FCSN Basic Rights Series Workshops: Evaluation and Eligibility, Understanding the Individualized Education Program, Transition Planning (for ages 14-22). A list of free workshops presented by the Federation can be found by clicking on this link.
PCTI often fills quickly and Registration is required. We recommend registering early. Preference will be given to youth with disabilities and family members of children with special needs. Registration closes one business day prior to class or when the class roster is full.
