{"id":1381992,"date":"2025-05-22T11:08:29","date_gmt":"2025-05-22T15:08:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fcsn.org\/?page_id=1381992"},"modified":"2026-08-07T12:10:06","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T16:10:06","slug":"parent-leadership","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/fcsn.org\/vi\/parent-leadership\/","title":{"rendered":"Parent Leadership"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Parent \/ Caregiver Leadership<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ module_class=”fcsn-page-text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_margin=”-22px|||||” custom_padding=”33px||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”|800|||||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Families lead the way in creating and improving systems for our children.<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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).<\/p>\n

Families’ lived experience has proven to be a powerful force for systemic change. Your<\/strong><\/em> lived experience matters. Join us. We need your leadership, too!<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/gWT-nA3rsC0?si=_Rp39rgCeZC60lcH” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”35px||0px|31px|false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-12px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”|800|||||||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Professional Development for Parent\/Caregiver Leaders<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-14px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fcsn.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pexels-fauxels-3184438-e1741711219943.jpg” alt=”Six people of various skin color fist bumping” title_text=”APPLE header” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”2px||-4px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fcsn.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Popper-Graphic-1.jpg” alt=”Three brightly-colored circles with images of jubilant and empowered-looking families” title_text=”Popper-Graphic-1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fcsn.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/MassPac-.jpg” alt=”MassPac” title_text=”MassPac” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fcsn.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/PCTI-scaled-e1742499922662.jpg” alt=”Image of families behind the outline of the letters P C T I” title_text=”Image of families behind the outline of the letters P C T I” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”17px||12px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

A.P.P.L.E. Institute<\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Barbara Popper Family Leadership Institute<\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

MassPAC<\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Parent Consultant Training Institute<\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-30px||-20px||false|false” border_color_right=”#00577F” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ custom_padding=”3px|||||” border_color_right=”#00577F” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Advancing Parent \/ Professional Leadership in Education<\/strong> (A.P.P.L.E.) Institute<\/strong> is a free, virtual program<\/strong> designed to help family leaders, school and district administrators, and community members form strong, collaborative teams to improve outcomes for students.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ custom_padding=”3px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]MassPAC\u00a0 builds the capacity of Special Education Parent Advisory Councils (SEPACs). Every Massachusetts School District is required to have a SEPAC. Local SEPACs provide a forum for families to learn from one another. They also provide vital guidance to the school district on special education issues.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|300|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_4,1_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjEzNzcwMzQifX0=@” button_text=”Learn about A.P.P.L.E.” module_class=”fcsn-button” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset4″ box_shadow_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”\/changemakers” button_text=”Learn about the Popper Institute” module_class=”fcsn-button” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset4″ box_shadow_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjEzNzcwMDMifX0=@” button_text=”Learn about MassPAC” module_class=”fcsn-button” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset4″ box_shadow_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjEzNzc1MzgifX0=@” button_text=”Learn about PCTI” module_class=”fcsn-button” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|30px||30px|false|true” box_shadow_style=”preset4″ box_shadow_color=”#FFFFFF” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Post Filtration Section” module_class=”resources-filter-outer” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”15px||5px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row module_class=”resources-divi-outer” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code module_class=”resources-code-outer” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

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