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Since 1983, the Office of Special Programs has coordinated the WV Parent-Educator
Resource Center (PERC) Project. The purpose of the project is to build
partnerships between parents and educators to ensure that children receive
the highest educational opportunities and achievement possible. Local
education agencies in 37 counties participate in the project by establishing
centers to work with families of children in the school system, educators,
and others
A team consisting
of a parent of a special needs child and an educator staffs each PERC.
Although basic services are listed below, how each PERC provides these
services depends on the individual community strengths, resources and
needs. All PERCs have certain common functions and responsibilities
including:
Providing
information, resources, and training for parents on important issues
such as parenting skills, problem solving, educational planning for
their child, behavior management, home learning activities, and other
topics to strengthen home-to-school partnerships; Assisting families
on an individual basis to better understand their children's educational
needs and to discover opportunities and options for meeting these needs;
Connecting families with appropriate community services; and Offering
information, resources, and training to educators to increase the skills,
knowledge and attitudes needed to encourage and strengthen family involvement
and positive school-to-home partnerships.
PERCs are
housed within various locations throughout the state, usually in a centralized,
accessible location such as a school, community center, board of education
office or library. Local education agencies provide the financial support
for their PERCs by blending fiscal resources such as special education,
Title I, state and local funds and grants. In addition, local community-based
organizations, service agencies, businesses and other service organizations
may provide other supports for the PERCs.
The WV PERC
Project is coordinated by the WV Department of Education, Office of
Special Education. A State Team provides leadership for the project.
Team members are:
Betsy Peterson, Parent Coordinator
Ginger Huffman, Educator
Kathy Knighton, Educator
The State Team provides the
PERCs with parent-professional team training, information on state and
national issues, and technical assistance. Federal funds support the
coordination of the project from the state level.
For more information about
parent involvement in your area, contact your local Parent-Educator
Resource Center. For areas not listed, contact any member of the state
team by calling (800) 642-8541 or (304) 558-2696.
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