Courtney announces $828,000 grant from Department of Education to Niantic-based CT Parent Advocacy Center

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Joe Courtney today announced that the CT Parent Advocacy Center in Niantic secured an $828,108 grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The CT Parent Advocacy Center will use the competitive funding to provide information and resources to parents of children with the full range of disabilities (birth to age 26). The overall goal is to help them fully and effectively participate in educational decisions for their children, and to help them meet their developmental and functional goals so the children can lead productive, independent adult lives, to the maximum extent possible.

"This targeted, competitive investment will pay huge dividends in Niantic for families across eastern Connecticut," said Congressman Courtney. "Parents of children with disabilities face unique challenges, but thanks to this funding and the expertise of the CT Parent Advocacy Center, they have new support and a strong ally who will help ensure that their children reach their full educational potential."

The CT Parent Advocacy Center will use the funding to: provide information to increase parents' knowledge of their rights and responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; facilitate targeted training and individual assistance to develop skills so parents can use relevant information to make decisions about their child's education; target families whose children are enrolled in high-poverty or persistently low-achieving schools; and enhance collaborations with local school district personnel, state agency representatives and community-based providers.

The $828,108 will be awarded over the course of three years, with $276,016 being awarded each year.