Empowering families to advocate for themselves so that children with special educational needs can reach their full potential in education and life - through support, training, and education. 
Spring has Sprung...and so has IEP Season
Spring arrives in Missouri every year with callous uncertainty. One moment the weather is warm and trees are budding, then within less than 24 hours snow blankets our streets. Just when we resolve to another week of Winter, daffodils peek out from beneath the melting snow. When Spring finally decides that it is here to stay, the season announces its intentions loudly with thunderous rain storms. And then we wake up to frost.

If there's one thing Missouri parents of children with disabilities can usually count on during the Spring season is attending IEP meetings. Even though these meetings are rarely a surprise, parents often find themselves feeling anxious and unprepared.

Since most of our staff have a child or family member with a disability, we know how overwhelming this time of year can be for many parents. We also know that the best way to minimize IEP meeting anxiety and frustration is to get organized and get prepared.

Missouri Parents Act is prepared for IEP season, amping up our trainings and staffing for increased call volume so that we can assist parents in preparing for their child's IEP meeting. If you feel lost, confused, overwhelmed, frustrated, or just need to be reassured that you are on the right track, please contact MPACT.
Individualized Education Program (IEP) Refresher Resources
What is an IEP?

If you need to brush up on IEP basics, you can find some easy-to-follow information at the following websites:
Getting Organized for an IEP Meeting

Getting organized may seem like an uphill climb, but the hardest part is just getting started. Keep in mind that o nce you have your files organized, you can often see the "big picture," possible patterns, and obvious gaps in academic and functional achievement, which will help you better advocate for your child.

The following resources will help you organize your thoughts and paperwork:
Upcoming MPACT Parent Trainings

The Art of Effective Advocacy
April 3 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Knights of Columbus Development Center
3800 Park Ave, 2nd floor
St. Louis, MO 63110


The Art of Effective Advocacy
April 20 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Priority Care Pediatrics, LLC
9405 North Oak Trafficway 
Kansas City, MO 64155
Understanding the IEP Process and the Art of Effective Advocacy
April 5 @ 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Joplin Head Start
1200 North Main 
Joplin, MO 64801

Understanding the IEP Process
April 26 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
First Assembly of God
501 Factory Street
Versailles, MO 65084
Understanding the IEP Process and the Art of Effective Advocacy
April 7 @ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sedalia Public Library
311 West 3rd Street 
Sedalia, MO 65301

IDEA Boot Camp
April 26 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Connections Case Management
1727 West 26th Street
Joplin, MO 64804

* Up-to-date training information is available on our  website .
MPACT is funded in part or whole by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs Grant No. H328M090020-10. The contents of the website, however, and any documents cited herein do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S Department of Education.
Copyright © 2015 MPACT. All rights reserved.
Missouri Parents Act | 800-743-7634 | 
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