The staff offers trainings and workshops to the 43 county area served by the PEAL Center.
Beginning with the End in Mind is a 3 part Mini-Series offered in the Fall and Spring each year in multiple locations. The Series titled Part 1: Developing a Strong IEP and Part 2: Working with Your School Team for an Inclusive Education and Part 3: IEP Clinic, is scheduled on request and is frequently co-sponsored by a district, agency or support group.
The PEAL Center also offers training on request on a wide range of topics. Themes of previous trainings include: Transition to Adult Life, Early Intervention Transition, Your Rights as a Parent, Leadership.
The PEAL Center offers 2 opportunities for parents to develop their leadership skills and to become an advocate for the rights and needs of people with disabilities. Parents interested in leadership supporting children with special health care needs (CSHCN) should contact Joan Badger, 412 281-4404 for an application for the Parent Leadership Institute (PLI). The PLI is part of the Family to Family Health Information Center (F2F HIC) located at the PEAL Center. Once a year, the Parent Leadership Institute welcomes 20 new applicants to attend 10 trainings and activities regarding system change to better support CSHCN.
Those interested in education issues are invited to apply for the Project for Parents Engaged in Advocating for Change in Education (PEACE). Parents attend several training and information sessions related to current educational reform issues. The group meets with nationally recognized leaders in the field and discusses the implications for the future of education in their area. Parents interested in applying for this series can contact Melissa Allen, 412-281-4404 or toll free 866-950-1040.
The projected outcome for each initiative is that parents will be informed on issues involved in systems change and will become active participants on local, state and national forums and become the voice of families in any reform initiatives.
Trainings are free for parent groups All others should contact PEAL for a fee schedule.