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.
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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Thursday, March 11, 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 (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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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
More information will be coming soon!
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
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)
More information will be coming soon!
6:30pm-9:30pm (Duluth - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Thursday, April 15, 2010
Transition: Pathway to the Future
More information will be coming soon!
7:00pm-9:00pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Monday, April 19, 2010
Special Education: What Do I Need to Know
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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Monday, April 19, 2010
Is Your Child the Target of Bullying?
More information will be coming soon!
7:00pm-9:00pm (Fergus Falls - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Tuesday, April 20, 2010
IDEA: Understanding the Individualized Education Program (IEP)
More information will be coming soon!
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
More information will be coming soon!
6:30pm-8:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Thursday, April 29, 2010
Diagnosis of AD/HD:Promoting Acceptance by Self and Others
More information will be coming soon!
7:00pm-9:30pm (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Thursday, April 29, 2010
Transition Issues for Young Adults with AD/HD
More information will be coming soon!
9:00am-11:00am (PACER Center - see Map)
Register for this workshop
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Saturday, May 01, 2010
Family Leadership Summit
More information will be coming soon!
8:30am-3:00pm (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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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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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


