A United Way Agency
Special Education Information
Parents of Special Children, Inc.
2 C Tower Drive
Fulton, New York 13069
Donna Jones-Executive Director
Janice Soper-Education Resource Specialist, TIES Coordinator
Theresa Familo-Administrative Assistant and Respitality Coordinator
admin_psc@alltel.net
Board Of Directors of PSC, INC.
President-Deb Hier
Vice President-Jill Slocum
Recording Secretary-Julie Chetney
Cor. Secretary-Kerri Stalvey
Treasurer-Lorie Boles
Parliamentarian-Julie Manley
Grace Einhart
Carol Pizzuto
Cindy Sandler
Monica Stoutenger
Elaina Renfrew
Dee Hall
Erin Woodward
Phil Williamson
Parents of Special Children, Inc. is a nonprofit United Way
organization. We are additionally funded by the New York State Office of
Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, private donations and
local fund raising events. We are a parent driven organization,
dedicated to family empowerment and improving the quality of the
everyday lives of special needs families. The primary service we provide
is family support reimbursement for respite.
PSC is located in Fulton, NY. The Family Reimbursement
Program is available to families in Oswego County who have a family
member living at home with a developmental disability. The purpose
of the FRP is to assist the family by providing monetary
assistance to cover goods and services not covered by other funding
sources. Some needs that may be covered under this program are
respite care and adaptive equipment. Respite is not a luxury. It
is often the key to the health of caregivers, advocated, family and
friends. It can sustain us when a day seems like a week; it can
give us the comfort of knowing that our loved one is getting a break
from our stress. Often respite provides our children an
opportunity for integration and peer relationships that might otherwise
never come to be. Some respite experiences might include:
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respite childcare: in or out of home care, overnight care
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summer camp
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tutoring
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recreational activities: bowling, swimming, gymnastics, dance classes, karate, horseback riding, etc.
Our Education Resource Program can help families in search for answers to the special education process. If you need assistance regarding your family member's Individual Education Plan (IEP), the advocate, acting on behalf of the parents, will have a more direct involvement in the Special Education Process. As your partner, your advocate is able to:
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attend school meetings, mediation, and or neutral conference sessions with you
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make phone calls to gather and/or clarify information
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explore/observe alternative programs
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help to protect the child's rights under federal and state laws and regulations
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offer a trained ear to help parents absorb meeting dynamics and take comprehensive notes
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actively participate in negotiations regarding evaluations, IEP and placement
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ask clarifying questions on behalf of the parent
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evaluate meeting outcomes and help to identify the next steps
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assist you in developing a more individualized and appropriate IEP
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assist in monitoring IEP progress
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help identify when legal counsel is needed (Our agency does not provide legal representation as an attorney of law may provide. A referral to legal counsel may be necessary, and you should seek such counsel if you are concerned about your rights)
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Our Respitality™ Program was added in 2002. Respitality™ is a combination of respite and hospitality. It is offered to those who have a family member with a developmental disability. Respitality™ offers caregivers a "mini Vacation" an opportunity to recharge, free from their daily routine and responsibilities. Developmental disabilities are defined as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy, and other neurological impairments. Respitality™ is offered to families in Oswego County through a partnership between local businesses which provide free accommodations, meals, & entertainment and a coalition of service providers who help arrange supports to make a getaway possible. Parents of Special Children received funding from Family Support Council TIES (Together Including Every Student). This program began in Rochester by two parents of children with developmental disabilities in 1997. TIES promotes the participation of teen/young adults with developmental disabilities in extracurricular and community activities by providing effective support. The TIES program is offered to students in Oswego County with developmental disabilities along with the support of volunteers as mentors. This program consists of three components-
TIES focuses on a persons strengths and abilities, on building relationship, and creating a sense of belonging for all people.
Autism Connections-Connections provided the opportunity for families who have children on the Autism Spectrum to connect with each other. They meet the first Tuesday of each month to discuss many different topics, to share ideas and offer support. Contact Therese at 598-7672 Please click on the push pin for more detailed directions and a virtual tour. You can get directions from your home to ours.
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This site was last updated on 05/12/08