GUARDIAN AD LITEM

National technical assistance resource and information clearinghouse on legal and policy matters affecting the education of children in the foster care system. They also have an interactive resource library and free training calls set up regularly - just call in!

The primary mission of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council is to promote innovative programs and practices designed to prevent developmental disabilities and improve the quality of life of individuals with such disabilities and their families.

The Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) provides diagnostic and instructional support services to district exceptional student education programs and families of students with exceptionalities statewide. FDLRS supports the State education goals of high student achievement, safe schools, and high performing workforce. FDLRS activities reflect these goals and demonstrate outcomes toward accomplishing them.

The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. (COPAA) "is an independent organization of attorneys, advocates and parents. Our primary mission is to secure high quality educational services for children with disabilities. COPAA is premised on the belief that the key to effective educational programs for children with disabilities is collaboration -as equals- by parents and educators."

Wrightslaw: Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities. Wrightslaw includes thousands of articles, cases, and free resources on dozens of special education topics.

FAPE: The Families and Advocates Partnership for Education (FAPE) project is a partnership that aims to improve the educational outcomes for children with disabilities. It links families, advocates, and self-advocates to information about the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically underserved individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is committed to improving results and outcomes for people with disabilities of all ages. OSERS provides a wide array of supports to parents and individuals, school districts and states in three main areas: special education, vocational rehabilitation and research.

U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights' mission is to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation through vigorous enforcement of civil rights.

The National Child Welfare Resource Center on Legal and Judicial Issues web page is dedicated to the topic of educational needs of vulnerable children, including those in foster care or who are homeless.

The National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)

The Center provides research, resources, and information enabling communities to address the educational needs of children and youth experiencing homelessness. The website includes an extensive guide to legislation, as well as resources by topic and state specific information.

Florida State Resources Compiled by NCHE

The National Center for Learning Disabilities This site offers a comprehensive guide for parents that explains the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). The guide, available to view online or as a PDF file, includes information about the federal law that requires schools to serve the educational needs of all children, along with eligibility requirements, details about an IEP (individual education plan) and a variety of resources for parents.

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
This publication "Developing Your Child's IEP" explains the IEP process and is a useful resource for parents who need to develop an individual education plan for a child with a special need.