PACER Center
952-838-9000
Champions for Children with Disabilities
In the event of inclement weather, PACER Center may cancel workshops. If you are registered for a workshop, we will contact you about cancellations. Also, please check this site the day of the workshop for a possible cancellation due to weather problems.
The Minnesota Parent Center is a unique statewide project designed to help families and schools build stronger ties to benefit students.See all the upcoming MN PIRC workshops >>>
Workshops
PACER Center offers free workshops throughout Minnesota to parents of children with disabilities and the professionals working with families.
Workshop topics include areas of interest in special education, including information on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) program, early childhood, the area of transition for students 14-21 (housing, post secondary, employment, and community), assistive technology, and many more!
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Workshops Ordered by Date
Alternative workshop listings are available:
Workshops Ordered by Name
Workshops Ordered by Program
Workshops Ordered by Location
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Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Manifestation Determination: What Parents Need to Know - see flyer
Dan Stewart, an expert in special education law will speak on manifestation determination. Before a child in special education can be expelled, suspended for more than 10 days, or placed in a different school, a manifestation determination meeting must be held. The goal is to find out if the behavior is related to the child’s disability and if the behavior was caused by the school’s failure to implement the child’s IEP. This session will include a role play of a manifestation determination meeting.
7:00pm-9:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Thursday, March 18, 2010
Special Education: What Do I Need to Know - see flyer
Special education is instruction designed specifically to meet the requirements of children with special needs. It is provided in the most appropriate setting for children and at no cost to parents or families. Parents of children with special needs and professionals will learn about: why it is important for parents to be involved, how to work effectively with the school, the evaluation process, how to make an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that fits that child, and how special education and regular education work together.
6:30pm-8:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Monday, March 22, 2010
IDEA: Understanding the Special Education Process - see flyer
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its regulations affect how children in special education are served. This workshop will cover topics including: understanding special education, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), keeping special education records, and how to become an effective advocate for your child.
6:30pm-9:30pm (New Ulm - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Understanding School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports - see flyer
A positive school environment helps all students do better academically. School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SW-PBIS) can help schools achieve that positive school climate, especially when parents are involved. Come learn about how positive behavioral skills are taught and reinforced for all children, effective alternatives to punishment, and how schools are implementing SW-PBIS.
6:30pm-8:30pm (Andover - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Early Childhood and Assistive Technology - see flyer
Children from birth to age 5 with developmental delays or disabilities may be entitled to certain services and may be helped by assistive technology (AT). This workshop will help parents and professionals understand the evaluation process used to determine if early intervention or early childhood special education services are appropriate. It will also address how AT, from low-tech devices to high tech tools, may benefit young children.
6:30pm-9:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Thursday, March 25, 2010
Focus on Transition - see flyer
At this workshop, parents will learn the importance of planning for their young adult’s future employment and independent living. Participants will learn about transition legislation, the five transition areas, how to gather information about your young adult’s interests, preferences, strengths, and challenges, and more!
7:00pm-9:00pm (Northfield - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Thursday, March 25, 2010
Exploring Charter Schools - see flyer
This interactive workshop will help parents of children with disabilities explore topics they should consider when choosing a charter school. Topics will include: why do parents choose a charter school, what questions should be asked of a charter school, how is special education implemented at a charter school, and what do other parents say about charter schools?
7:00pm-9:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Understanding Challenging Behaviors in Young Children - see flyer
Behavior is communication and everyone develops a style of communication that works for them, Attend this workshop to discover a new and positive approach to changing problem behaviors and supporting improved behaviors. This workshop will focus on preschool through elementary school-aged children.
7:00pm-9:00pm (Winona - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Thursday, April 08, 2010
IDEA: Understanding the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for Children with Autism - see flyer
Children with autism have unique issues to cover in the child’s IEP. Parents of elementary-age children will learn about IEP development, including ways to address executive function, self-regulation, communication, and social cognition. This workshop will be co-presented with the Autism Society of Minnesota.
6:30pm-9:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Saturday, April 10, 2010
Creation Station: All About Beading - see flyer
Come join the fun and use colorful plastic beads to create your own cool jewelry, special key chains, and more.
10:00am-noon (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Monday, April 12, 2010
Housing and Services: Putting the Pieces Together - see flyer
What housing options are available to your son or daughter? What supports will your young adult need to function as independently as possible? This workshop is designed to help parents think creatively about how to put the pieces together for their young adult.
7:00pm-9:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Monday, April 12, 2010
IDEA: Understanding the Special Education Process - see flyer
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its regulations affect how children in special education are served. This workshop will cover topics including: understanding special education, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), keeping special education records, and how to become an effective advocate for your child.
6:30pm-9:30pm (International Falls - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Tech For Girls: Be a CSI!
Put on your lab coat and come to PACER to be a crime scene investigator (CSI)! We will explore the science of forensics by fingerprinting, analyzing powders, making teeth impressions, and determining someone’s height based on her shoe size. We will test our CSI skills by analyzing data and solving a mock crime.
6:00pm-8:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Tuesday, April 13, 2010
IDEA: Understanding the Individualized Education Program (IEP) - see flyer
Attend this free PACER workshop to learn about IEP development including: IEP requirements, overview of evaluation, team planning, writing measurable IEP goals, adaptations, implementation, and methods for resolving disagreements.
6:30pm-9:30pm (Duluth - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Thursday, April 15, 2010
Transition: Pathway to the Future - see flyer
Transition planning is an important step in preparing your student for life after high school. Participants will learn how to help their students achieve their dreams and goals. Topics include: using the IEP to develop transition services, having high expectations, understanding age of majority and transfer rights, and learning about adult services.
7:00pm-9:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Monday, April 19, 2010
Is Your Child the Target of Bullying? - see flyer
This workshop offers intervention strategies for parents of children with disabilities who may be a target of bullying at school. Learn how to identify types of bullying, develop strategies to prevent bullying, identify responses to bullying, talk to your child about bullying, obtain help from professionals, and find out about disability harassment laws.
7:00pm-9:00pm (Fergus Falls - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Monday, April 19, 2010
Special Education: What Do I Need to Know - see flyer
Special education is instruction designed specifically to meet the requirements of children with special needs. It is provided in the most appropriate setting for children and at no cost to parents or families. Parents of children with special needs and professionals will learn about: why it is important for parents to be involved, how to work effectively with the school, the evaluation process, how to make an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that fits that child, and how special education and regular education work together.
6:30pm-8:30pm (Hutchinson - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Tuesday, April 20, 2010
IDEA: Understanding the Individualized Education Program (IEP) - see flyer
Attend this free PACER workshop to learn about IEP development including: IEP requirements, overview of evaluation, team planning, writing measurable IEP goals, adaptations, implementation, and methods for resolving disagreements.
6:30pm-9:30pm (Fergus Falls - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Everything You Need to Know Before Your Child Turns 3 - see flyer
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires states to provide certain services to eligible children with disabilities. Children up to age 3 receive early childhood services under Part C of IDEA. Children ages 3 to 5 receive preschool services under Part B. This workshop will help parents understand the important aspects of transitioning from Part C to Part B services.
6:30pm-8:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Thursday, April 22, 2010
Youth with Mental Health and Other Disabilities in the Juvenile Justice System: Questions and Strategies for Professionals - see flyer
This workshop is for professionals including attorneys, social workers, probation officers, and other correction staff. Participants will learn about: information and trends in the juvenile justice system and youth with disabilities, truancy charges and the role of special education, school-based charges involving youth with disabilities, positive and cost-effective strategies and models.
9:00am-12 noon (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Thursday, April 22, 2010
Planning for Educational Inclusion - see flyer
Participants will learn tips for including students with significant disabilities in grades K-12. This workshop will address the following questions: What is educational inclusion, how can parents use the IEP process to plan for inclusion, how does the IEP team determine the least restrictive environment, why is it important to have access to general curriculum, why and how should a child with disabilities participate in district and state assessments, and what is the state of educational inclusion nationally and in Minnesota?
6:30pm-8:30pm (Owatonna - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Thursday, April 29, 2010
Transition Issues for Young Adults with ADHD - see flyer
Join Matt Cohen, nationally known special education attorney with a passion for helping children with disabilities, and Norma Echavarria, child psychiatrist and ADHD specialist, as they take a compassionate look at the behavioral and developmental challenges youth with this disability face. Participants will learn about clinical, educational, and legal strategies that can help.
9:00am-11:00am (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Thursday, April 29, 2010
Diagnosis of ADHD:Promoting Acceptance by Self and Others - see flyer
Join Matt Cohen, nationally known special education attorney with a passion for helping children with disabilities, and Norma Echavarria, child psychiatrist and ADHD specialist, as they look at what the impact of ADHD can have on others. Learn ways to understand the diagnosis and develop effective strategies to deal with the symptoms and emotions affecting the whole family.
7:00pm-9:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Saturday, May 01, 2010
Family Leadership Summit - see flyer
The Family Leadership Summit is an opportunity for parents of young children with special needs or health concerns who want to gain leadership skills and improve outcomes for other children and families facing similar concerns. Participants will have an opportunity to network with other family leaders, learn how to influence public policy and advocacy skills, and enhance leadership skills.
8:30am-3:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Monday, May 10, 2010
Transition Planning and Community Resources: What You Need to Know
The transition from school to community can be a difficult time for youth with disabilities and their families. This workshop, designed to help parents understand the critical need to plan for transition while a youth is still in school, will feature speakers Jayne Spain, a transition specialist from the MN Dept of Education, Sean Roy, of PACER Center, will discuss community based supports, and successful strategies for youth with disabilities to find employment, and a representative from Vocational Rehabilitation Services will discuss eligibility and goals of their program.
6:30pm-8:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Practice the Positive: Tips for Supporting Your Child with Behavior Needs
More information will be coming soon!
7:00pm-9:00pm (Maple Grove)
Register for this workshop
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Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Response to Intervention - see flyer
Response to Intervention is an approach some school districts are using to provide additional instruction to elementary-school students who have academic or behavior issues. Students who do not benefit from the interventions may be referred for a special education evaluation. Victoria Weinberg, from the MN Department of Education, will present information regarding: what is RTI, how does it work, how does it affect students with and without disabilities, and what role does the MN Dept of Education play?
6:30pm-8:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Thursday, May 13, 2010
Life Planning for Persons with Disabilities
More information will be coming soon!
7:00pm-9:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Saturday, May 22, 2010
Creation Station: True Grit - see flyer
What do you get when you mix colorful sand and cool designs on sticky paper? Artisands-a creative craft for artists of all abilities. Come discover how to create a masterpiece…with sand!
10:00am-noon (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Monday, May 24, 2010
Transition Planning and Community Resources: What You Need to Know
The transition from school to community can be a difficult time for youth with disabilities and their families. This workshop, designed to help parents understand the critical need to plan for transition while a youth is still in school, will feature speakers Jayne Spain, a transition specialist from the MN Dept of Education, Sean Roy, of PACER Center, will discuss community based supports, and successful strategies for youth with disabilities to find employment, and a representative from Vocational Rehabilitation Services will discuss eligibility and goals of their program.
6:30pm-8:30pm (Duluth)
Register for this workshop
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Thursday, May 27, 2010
Life Planning for Persons with Disabilities
More information will be coming soon!
7:00pm-9:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
PACER's site offers many PDF files for download, which require 
