Parent Training and Information Center
The Parent Training and Information Center is a comprehensive resource library and training center. The Center offers parents information on the laws of special education, specific disabilities, the latest research on treatment and interventions, and adaptive technology. This resource center is especially critical to our work, as it is located in a low-income community that traditionally would not have had access to this information. Our training and advocacy sessions are specifically designed to: clarify legal obligations and rights; assist parents and advocates in the preparing for educational meetings and conferences; and to orient the individual on the various services available for children with special needs.
Empowering Parents
An important component of our mission at AJE is to empower parents to be effective advocates for their children. Each month we recognize a parent or guardian who has exemplified strong advocacy skills when advocating for their child. Some examples have included parents communicating effectively with their child’s school to resolve an issue and parents actively participating in a school meeting for their child.
September 2011 – Doreen Jones
October 2011 – Natosha Alexander
Developing Parent Leaders
AJE Parent Leaders initiative is a volunteer opportunity intended to develop parent leaders through training and community involvement, to increase their knowledge to influence policy changes in education.
Parent Leaders will receive training and support from AJE staff. Some activities of AJE Parent Leaders are:
Serving on a local committees or workgroup related to Special Education, Early Childhood, Transition and other topics in education.
Attending policy hearings, budget hearings, and local events impacting education of children in the District of Columbia School system, and report information to AJE.
Contributing to AJE’s quarterly newsletter and assist in planning AJE’s special events.
Interested parents/caregivers must commit to two hours of service per month. Parent Leaders are matched up with the activities that suit their interest and skill level.
For more information and to obtain an application, contact Weade Wallace at (202) 678-8060 or email weade.wallace@aje-dc.org.
Parent-to-Parent Support Group
Each month, AJE holds a monthly Parent-to-Parent Support Group Meeting. This meeting is intended to provide parents an opportunity to share experiences and resources with other parents and to also learn technical information to assist them in advocating for their child.
Parent-to-Parent Support Group meets the first Tuesday of each month, from 5:30PM – 7PM at our northwest office, (4201 Georgia Avenue, NW). To find out the topic of the next Parent-to-Parent Support Group Meeting, please refer to our monthly training calendar.
Volunteer at AJE
Interested in volunteering at AJE? Volunteer opportunities include the following:
Organizing and updating AJE’s resource libraries
Sharing information about AJE at community events and fairs
Planning and/or volunteering at AJE special events (e.g., Annual Bullying Run, Walk, and Roll; Back-to-School Event, etc)
Contact Weade Wallace at (202) 678-8060 or email weade.wallace@aje-dc.org for more information on volunteering at AJE.
