Parent Trainings and Workshops

Looking Ahead to Next Year...

Preparations are already underway for the 2026–2027 school year—we believe it will be our most exciting one yet! We are thrilled to expand our offerings with a blend of engaging virtual sessions and meaningful in-person opportunities designed to better support our parents and families. Through valuable partnerships with both new and existing organizations, we will provide a wider range of topics to meet diverse needs and interests.

You spoke, and we listened. Based on your feedback, we are increasing the number of virtual trainings—many of which will be recorded for flexible, on-demand viewing. We are also introducing a variety of topics, including many that were requested through our recent input survey. We look forward to continuing to learn, connect, and grow together in the year ahead!

Below are the tentative dates for all of our events for next school year!! Make sure to mark them on your calendars now!!

Lunch & Learn (1^st Wednesday of the month at 11:30 AM)
September 8
October 7
November 4
December 2
January 6
February 3
March 3
April 7
May 5

Empower Hour (3^rd Wednesday of the month at 2:00 PM)
September 16
October 21
November 18
December 16
January 20
February 17
April 21
May 19

In-person Family Events (quarterly on Thursdays, from 5:00 PM-7:30 PM)
October 22
December 10
February 25
April 22

*All of these dates and times are tentative and advance notice will be provided, if possible, if there is any adjustments made
**Topics for these events will be shared once confirmed.

Below you will find the resources and recordings (if able to be recorded) for the 2025-2026 Lunch & Learn and Empower Hour Virtual Parent Trainings

2025-2026 Parent Training Resources

September 2025
FND PEN "Helping with Homework" 9/3/25 (Lunch & Learn)

Project 10: “Powerwalk through Project 10's Publications, Trainings and Website” 9/17/25 (Empower Hour)
Project 10: Transition Education Network is Florida’s statewide IDEA funded state project supporting the secondary transition of youth with disabilities. It is funded by the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS), within the Florida Department of Education (FDOE). Project 10’s primary charge is to assist school districts in providing appropriate planning and timely transition services and programs to assist youth with disabilities in their transition to adulthood

The training featured the following Project 10 publications:

Middle School Secondary Planning Trail Map for Families
This resource will assist families to identify ways to support their youth as they transition to middle school, to high school and, ultimately, to adult life. The resources and references are contained in a separate document

Secondary Transition Roadmap for Families
This resource assists families to become familiar with graduation and post-school options available to students with disabilities. This sixteen-page booklet shares easy-to-follow directions that guide families and students toward transition destinations, including high school graduation and beyond.

Considering Age of Majority
This resource describes the age of majority and what families and schools can expect with the transfer of rights from the parent to the student at age 18. New related legislation that went into effect on July 1, 2023 is included. Other topics addressed in this resource are an overview of decision-making options from guardianship to supported decision-making and a list of additional related resources.

The 411 on the Big 5
This resource offers vital information, including contacts and links, regarding five organizations outlined in Section 1003.5716, Florida Statutes, dedicated to assisting students and their families with secondary and postsecondary transition. These organizations comprise the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), Division of Blind Services (DBS), Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living (FACIL), Florida Center for Students with Unique Disabilities (FCSUA), and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). The provided information is organized to address three fundamental inquiries: 1) How each agency supports transition-age youth with disabilities, 2) The process and age requirements for students to apply for agency services, and 3) Key insights that families and school districts should grasp regarding each agency.

October 2025

Simply Health Carelon “Effective Communication Skills” 10/1/25 (Lunch & Learn)
Effective Communication Powerpoint Presentation

Simply Health/Carelon Effective Communication Parent Training (Re-recorded)

FDLRS “Developing an IEP” 10/15/25 (Empower Hour)
This training was not recorded—FDLRS trainings are not able to be recorded. The following resources were shared for the training:

Exceptional Student Education Acronyms
Parent Questions to Ask for IEP Meetings Guided Notes for Developing an IEP FDLRS Training

November 2025

FND PEN "Social Security: SSI and Supplemental" 11/5/25 (Lunch & Learn)
FND SSDI/SSI Resources and Links

Project 10 “Transition Basics” 11/19/25 (Empower Hour)
Transition Basics Empower Hour Handout

Links to various websites referenced:
VR Youth Services Webpage
Graduation Options Charts
Florida Centers for Students with Unique Abilities (Postsecondary Programs)

December 2025
Simply Health Carelon “Talking to Children About Mental Health” 12/3/25 (Lunch & Learn)
Talking to Children About Mental Health PowerPoint Presentation

Simply Health/Carelon Talking to Kids About Mental Health Parent Training (Recording)

January 2026
FND PEN "Tips for Caregiver Stress & Burnout" 1/7/26 (Lunch & Learn)
Resource: 2026 Caregiver Stress & Burnout | Smore Newsletter

FDLRS “Successful Home Communication” 1/22/26 (Empower Hour)
Parent Questions to Ask for an IEP Meeting

February 2026
FIN “Tips to Build Executive Functioning” 2/4/26 (Lunch & Learn)
This training was not recorded however the following are resources on the topic that are provided by FIN in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.

Tips for Families of Students with Disabilities: Executive Functioning
Consejos para las familias de estudiantes con discapacidades: funcionamiento ejecutivo
Konsèy pou fanmi yo Elèv ki gen Andikap Fonksyon egzekitif

Project 10: “Deferment” 2/18/2025 (Empower Hour)

Links to Publications:

Predictors of Postsecondary Outcomes
This product, designed for families, describes the 20 research-based predictors of positive post-school outcomes and provides suggested actions that families may take to help their students engage in activities/experiences that support the transition to life after high school.

Deferment FAQ (will be updated in 2026)
This reference document contains fourteen commonly asked questions and answers about the deferral of the standard diploma for students with disabilities. Find a description of deferment on the Project 10 website

The 411 on the Big 5
This resource offers vital information, including contacts and links, regarding five organizations outlined in Section 1003.5716, Florida Statutes, dedicated to assisting students and their families with secondary and postsecondary transition. These organizations comprise the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), Division of Blind Services (DBS), Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living (FACIL), Florida Center for Students with Unique Disabilities (FCSUA), and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR). The provided information is organized to address three fundamental inquiries: 1) How each agency supports transition-age youth with disabilities, 2) The process and age requirements for students to apply for agency services, and 3) Key insights that families and school districts should grasp regarding each agency.

Project 10's Postsecondary Options At-a-Glance
This document summarizes the various options available for students following their exit from K-12 enrollment. Included in the summary are the names of the postsecondary options and a brief description and relevant considerations of each option. When used digitally, this document also contains numerous embedded hyperlinks to direct resources.

For a complete list of publications, you can visit the Project 10 Website

March 2026
FIN “Tips for Supporting Organizational Skills” 3/4/2026 (Lunch & Learn)
This training was not recorded however the following are resources are available:
Florida Students Resources (CPALMS)
FIN Family Resources
Organizational Skills Tips (PDF)

April 2026
FND PEN “Beginning the Journey I & II” 4/1/26 (Lunch & Learn)
Resource: 2026 Beginning the Journey II | Smore Newsletters

FDLRS “Early Literacy” 4/15/26 (Empower Hour)
Resources:
Standards/Benchmarks for learning: CPALMS website
Reading Website: Just Read, Florida
Free Registration for Special Education Connection:Special Education Connection link
FDLRS Local website: Local FDLRS link
Presenters Contact Information:
Anjanette McGee-Cason
Email address: anjanette.mcgee-cason@fdlrsaction.org
Phone number: 407.317.3660 ext:6283674

May 2026
FIN “Building Independence” 5/6/26 (Lunch & Learn)
Resources:
Building Independence- English
Building Independence- Spanish
Building Independence- Creole
Building Independence PowerPoint

Project 10 “Self Determination & Self Advocacy” 5/20/26 (Empower Hour)
Self-Determination and Self-Advocacy: This guide provides an overview of self-determination and self-advocacy which includes the following: definitions, teacher-led instruction, instructional strategies and the requirement to consider the student's need for self-determination instruction in the individual educational plan (IEP).

Considering Age of Majority: This resource describes the age of majority and what families and schools can expect with the transfer of rights from the parent to the student at age 18. New related legislation that went into effect on July 1, 2023 is included. Other topics addressed in this resource are an overview of decision-making options from guardianship to supported decision-making and a list of additional related resources.

I'm Determined :This is a great website with many assessments and strategies for self-determination and self-advocacy.

Below are the Archives of videos for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years.