Family Matters Parent Training & Information Center

Family Matters Parent Training & Information Center (FMPTIC) is a project of Community Support Systems that was funded in 1989 as a Family Support Program by the Illinois Department of Human Services. Our mission is to build upon families’ strengths, empower parents and professionals to achieve the strongest possible outcomes for students with disabilities, and to enhance the quality of life for children and young adults with disabilities. We provide information, referral, linkages, and training to parents, students with disabilities, and special education professionals. Through our toll-free help line, individuals can get assistance with special education problems or concerns, obtain information, and request training opportunities. We also offer free workshops on special education rights and responsibilities and related topics. In October 2002, we were awarded a grant from the US Department of Education to become a Parent Training and Information Center to serve the entire state of Illinois outside of the Chicago area. Our Guiding Principles include: empowering parents to have comprehensive knowledge of their children; recognizing the home, school and community as vital components when developing an education program; supporting that all children are capable of learning and good behavior; and encouraging cooperative relationships between school districts and parents. We can assist with early intervention services for children from birth to three years of age, special education services for school aged children, transition issues for students leaving the educational system and preparing for the world of work, adult services or college, and provide information about resources, best practices, specific disabilities, and training opportunities and conferences.