FCSN Workshops & How to Request Them
Welcome to Our Learning Community
We offer hundreds of live and interactive learning opportunities for families, young people, educators, and other professionals. Sessions range from 1-2 hour workshops to multi-session trainings and multifaceted conferences.
We also work with schools, districts, and agencies to provide professional development and customized trainings. Professional Development>
For information about pricing and availability regarding the workshops below, email workshops@fcsn.org.
Workshops
Education Rights
Basic Rights: Evaluation & Eligibility
Description: An overview of special education laws and procedures. Explains referrals, evaluations, eligibility, services, placement, and parents’ rights if there is disagreement.
2-hour workshop
Free to attend on our Events Calendar from September to June. We offer select sessions in Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Host this Workshop: SEPACs, school districts, and other organizations can also host this workshop. For more information, please see our Workshop Request Form.
Basic Rights: Understanding the IEP
Description: Explains why the Individualized Education Program (IEP) is important, how it is created, and what each part of the document means. It also covers the types of services that may be included and how to write clear, measurable goals.
2-hour workshop
Free to attend on our Events Calendar from September to June. We offer select sessions in Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Host this Workshop: SEPACs, school districts, and other organizations can also host this workshop. SEPACs, school districts, and other organizations can also host this workshop. For more information, please see our Workshop Request Form.
Basic Rights: Transition Planning
Description: Overview of the transition planning process for students ages 14–22. We’ll talk about the legal right to transition services, why transition planning matters, and what it looks like in the IEP.
2-hour workshop
Free to attend on our Events Calendar from September to June. We offer select sessions in Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Host this Workshop: SEPACs, school districts, and other organizations can also host this workshop. SEPACs, school districts, and other organizations can also host this workshop. For more information, please see our Workshop Request Form.
Bullying: What Parents Need to Know
Description:
Covers what bullying is and the school’s legal responsibility to prevent and respond to it. We’ll discuss strategies and tools for handling bullying and how to address it in the IEP.
2-hour workshop
Free to attend on our Events Calendar from September to June.
Host this Workshop: SEPACs, school districts, and other organizations can also host this workshop. SEPACs, school districts, and other organizations can also host this workshop. For more information, please see our Workshop Request Form.
Please email workshops@fcsn.org to ask about availability in Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, or Vietnamese.
Suspension and Discipline
Description: Covers student and parent rights in school discipline. We’ll discuss types of suspension and protections for students with disabilities.
2-hour workshop
Free to attend on our Events Calendar from September to June.
Host this Workshop: SEPACs, school districts, and other organizations can also host this workshop. SEPACs, school districts, and other organizations can also host this workshop. For more information, please see our Workshop Request Form.
Please email workshops@fcsn.org to ask about availability in Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, or Vietnamese.
Effective Communication
Description: Learn how to effectively communicate with your school. We’ll discuss tips for success, how to start a conversation, and parents’ rights to solve disagreements.
2-hour workshop
Free to attend on our Events Calendar from September to June.
Host this Workshop: SEPACs, school districts, and other organizations can also host this workshop. SEPACs, school districts, and other organizations can also host this workshop. For more information, please see our Workshop Request Form.
Please email workshops@fcsn.org to ask about availability in Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, or Vietnamese.
Social Emotional Learning
Description: Introduction to social emotional learning, why it is important, and how it is applied in the classroom and the IEP.
2-hour workshop
Free to attend on our Events Calendar from September to June.
Host this Workshop: SEPACs, school districts, and other organizations can also host this workshop. SEPACs, school districts, and other organizations can also host this workshop. For more information, please see our Workshop Request Form.
Please email workshops@fcsn.org to ask about availability in Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, or Vietnamese.
Turning 3 Essentials
Description: Explains how early intervention and special education are different. We’ll discuss the transition planning conference and the basic steps in special education.
2-hour workshop
Host this Workshop: SEPACs, school districts, and other organizations can also host this workshop. For more information, please see our Workshop Request Form.
Please email workshops@fcsn.org to ask about availability in Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, or Vietnamese.
Transition Planning
Basic Rights: Transition Planning
Description: Overview of the transition planning process for students aged 14-22. We’ll discuss the legal right to transition services, why transition planning is important, what it looks like in the IEP, and the roles of students and parents.
2-hour workshop
Free to attend on our Events Calendar from September to June. We offer select sessions in Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Host this Workshop: SEPACs, school districts, and organizations may host this workshop. For pricing and availability, please see our Workshop Request Form.
Creating a Post-Secondary Vision
Description: Explains the role of the student’s post-secondary vision in transition planning. We’ll discuss how to write a vision statement and how the vision can impact assessments and the transition planning process.
2-hour workshop
Languages: English
Host this Workshop: SEPACs, school districts, and organizations may host this workshop. For pricing and availability, please see our. Workshop Request Form.
Planning for College
Description: Students with disabilities need to self-identify that they have a disability and self-advocate for reasonable accommodations at a post-secondary institution. We’ll discuss the rights and responsibilities of students in college settings.
1.5-hour workshop
Languages: English
Host this Workshop: For pricing and availability, email transition@fcsn.org
Pre-Employment Transition Services
Description: Overview of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) and how to access them.
30-minute workshop
Languages: English
Host this Workshop: For pricing and availability, email workshops@fcsn.org
Health including Mental Health
Autism Resources
Description: Describes what resources are available before an autism diagnosis, and what additional resources become available after an autism diagnosis. The target audience is family members, providers and allies of children who either have autism or are awaiting a diagnosis.
1-hour workshop
Languages: English
For pricing and availability, please email workshops@fcsn.org.
Developmental Childhood Trauma
Description: Examines the effects of developmental trauma on brain development, especially as it impacts the learning process. We’ll also discuss the life outcomes of these, as evidenced by the ongoing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study.
Available in 2-, 3-, or 6-hour sessions
Languages: English
For pricing and availability, please email workshops@fcsn.org.
Emergency Preparedness
Description: Discusses how to prepare for emergencies involving individuals with disabilities or healthcare needs. We’ll cover essential strategies and resources to ensure safety and care during emergencies.
1.5-hour workshop
Languages: English
For pricing and availability, please email workshops@fcsn.org.
Healthcare Transition to Adulthood
Description: Guides families and professionals through the process of transitioning healthcare for young adults, focusing on key steps to ensure a smooth shift to adult healthcare services.
1.5-hour workshop
Languages: English
For pricing and availability, please email workshops@fcsn.org.
Intro to Mass Health
Description: Intro to the Medicaid/MassHealth system. We’ll explore the MASSHealth website, how to apply, and where to get help. This is ideal for communities needing interpretation and translation.
1-hour workshop
Languages: English, Portuguese
For pricing and availability, please email workshops@fcsn.org.
Let’s Get Organized
Description: Guides parents of children with special needs in building organizational skills using their strengths. Participants create a binder space with supplies and ideas to organize medical and educational records, while also exploring digital record-keeping and emergency preparedness.
2-hour workshop
Languages: English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
For pricing and availability, please email workshops@fcsn.org.
Self-Care
Description: Taking care of the caregiver is essential. We’ll share practical suggestions to renew and restore your ability to care for others by caring for yourself.
1-hour workshop
Languages: English
For pricing and availability, please email workshops@fcsn.org.
Listening & Learning
Description: Builds listening skills and prepares you to become a volunteer Support Parent in our Parent to Parent (P2P) Program. As a trained volunteer, Support Parents offer compassionate support to another parent who is seeking the support of an experienced parent.
1.5 hour workshop
Languages: English
Please email p2p@fcsn.org or check calendar for upcoming workshop dates.
Trauma Sensitive IEPs
Description: Key areas of the IEP can be emphasized to allow skill building and ensure academic progress for students with developmental trauma. We’ll discuss trauma informed evaluations, writing measurable social/emotional goals, and appropriate transition planning.
2-hour workshop
Languages: English
For pricing and availability, please email workshops@fcsn.org.
Leadership & Advocacy
How to Advocate for your Child
Description: Effective advocacy is a learned art. Learn soft skills, such as how to prioritize and collaborate, to best advocate for your child. The workshop also addresses how to manage conflict and communication barriers.
1.5-Hour workshop
Languages: English
For pricing and availability, please email workshops@fcsn.org.
Role of the SEPAC
Description: Special Education Parent Advisory Councils (SEPACs) are parent-driven groups that provide input on special education challenges in local school districts. Learn about SEPACs’ role under state law.
1.5-hour workshop
Languages: English
For pricing and availability, please email workshops@fcsn.org.
Serving on Groups: A Guide for Parent Leaders and Families
Description: Gain an understanding about different types of groups, the processes that groups use, and how to actively participate in a decision-making group.
1.5-hour workshop
Languages: English
For pricing and availability, please email workshops@fcsn.org.
Sharing your Story
Description: Your story can bring awareness and sensitivity to issues facing children, youth and families. Learn how to organize your personal experiences to tell a story in a way that is meaningful to your audience.
1.5-hour workshop
Languages: English
For pricing and availability, please email workshops@fcsn.org.
The Disability Rights Movement
Description: Explore the struggle for disability rights in the United States, including the introduction of laws and regulations to provide educational services for all students, as well as the recent push in disability rights activism.
1-hour workshop
Languages: English
For pricing and availability, please email workshops@fcsn.org.
The Power of Parent Advocacy
Description: Parent/Family perspective has been very important to help shape legislation, policies, and procedures in the special education community. Learn how families can work together to provide a stronger voice for change.
1-hour workshop
Languages: English
For pricing and availability, please email workshops@fcsn.org.
Welcome to SEPAC Leadership - New Officer Orientation
Description: Special education parent advisory councils have both an advisory and participatory role in their local school district. A strong structure and operational procedures can help the advisory role of the SEPAC.
1.5-hour workshop
Languages: English
For pricing and availability, please email workshops@fcsn.org.
Informational Workshops
Caregiver to Caregiver Respite Network
Description: C2C™ is a statewide network supporting families of children with disabilities, complex needs, or mental health challenges (ages 0-26). Families connect through respite services. Attendees will learn about the respite provider crisis, C2C™ logistics, and key considerations in the network’s implementation
1-hour workshop
Languages: Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Haitian Creole.
For pricing and availability, please email workshops@fcsn.org.
Welcome to the Federation
Description: Brief overview of the resources and supports offered by the Federation to families and the professionals who work with them.
1-hour workshop
Languages: English, Spanish
For pricing and availability, please email workshops@fcsn.org.
Listening & Learning
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