Conference held for parents with special needs children

ELLSWORTH — More than 80 people attended Saturday’s conference at the Ellsworth Holiday Inn for parents of special-needs children. Sponsored by Hancock County Parent Awareness, the conference focused on informing parents of their rights to quality education for their children with special needs.

Gail Fletcher, secretary of the parent-awareness group, said Tuesday that the volunteer organization may eventually establish an office in Ellsworth to serve as a clearinghouse of information and support for local parents. Representative Ruth Foster, Fletcher said, has indicated her support of the group’s plans.

“We were thrilled by the response to the conference,” Fletcher said, “and people are already waiting for another conference next year.”

The one-day seminar, titled “Building a Team by Bridging the Gap,” brought together parents and professionals who explored a variety of issues, ranging from a parent’s rights under the law to raising a child with a disability.

Fletcher said that many of those in attendance at the conference “don’t feel listened to” by local school systems. “Some schools are not willingly providing the services that the child is entitled to,” she said.

Fletcher added that several parents learned that “they need to be assertive. They need to learn the law and regulations” so that they can more effectively advocate for their special-needs children in the schools.

Hancock County Parent Awareness is hoping to establish a peer support group for special-needs students, Fletcher said. “We’re also hoping to work on the education of school administrators,” she added, with a future workshop addressed to the professionals working with children in local schools.

Those interested in the services provided by Hancock County Parent Awareness should call 667-2183, 667-7379, or 667-2475. The organization’s address is P. O. Box 5053, Ellsworth, 04605.