Welcome to the Metropolitan Parent Center

The Metropolitan Parent Center

The Metropolitan Parent Center is a Parent Training and Information Center, which helps families of children with disabilities to obtain free, appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment and access other needed services. It also assists parents to develop skills and knowledge that will help their children achieve functional and academic goals that will lead them to independent productive adult lives to the maximum extent possible.

• The Metropolitan Parent Center is a part of a nationwide network of Parent Training and Information Centers, which are provided with technical assistance by the Alliance National Technical Assistance Center.
• It is also a member of the NYS Parent Center Network.

Who is eligible for our help?

Any child / youth with a disability, ages birth to 26 who is a resident of New York City. Training and information is also offered to professionals from schools and community organizations.

Our Parent center can help parents to:
• Understand the special education system under the federal IDEA and State laws and regulations.
• Better understand their children’s needs and learn to access and identify services and resources.
• Locate information and referrals about a wide variety of services.
• Secure one-to-one advocacy assistance.
• Obtain parent training for parents with developmental disabilities.
• Acquire educational advocacy training.
• Benefit from workshops on Special Education topics (see calendar of events)
• Join parent support groups.
• Connect and collaborate with community-based organizations.
• Resolve disagreements with the school or other agencies.

Our Parent Center includes:

• The Richard M. Lash Resource Library, which has information on Special Education
• Multicultural publications
• Fact sheets
• Brochures
• Disability related books
• Videos / CD-ROM’s

The Dr. Nivia Zavala Family Center provides
• Training
• Workshops
• Conferences