The Parent Center Standards for Excellence were developed by the national Parent Center network of more than 100 Parent Training and Information Centers, Community Parent Resource Centers, and National and Regional Parent Technical Assistance Centers funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs. The standards consist of a variety of indicators in the areas of nonprofit management and family-centered services and were developed using current best practices in the field as well as specific grant requirements for OSEP-funded Parent Centers. Indicators are categorized in three levels: Required, Effective, and Best Practice.

The Standards are a self-assessment tool that Parent Centers can choose to use in order to engage in a process of continuous improvement. In order to be considered for an award, Parent Centers must submit their self-assessment tool to be reviewed by a panel of their peers. A cover sheet signed by the executive director and board chair must accompany the submission. The panel reviews the number of indicators achieved across the three levels and a summary of the Parent Center’s plan for improvement. Based on the review, one of three awards is granted:

Excellence Award

The "Parent Center of Excellence Award" is given to Parent Centers achieving 100% of the "Required" indicators, at least 75% of the "Effective" indicators, and at least 75% of the "Best Practice" indicators.

Exemplary Award

The “Exemplary Parent Center Award" is given to Parent Centers achieving 100% of the "Required" indicators and at least 75% of the "Effective" indicators.

Achievement Commendation 

The "Nonprofit and Family Centered Standards Achievement Commendation" is given to Parent Centers that complete the self-assessment and peer review process and achieve 100% of the indicators denoted as "Required" on the self-assessment and up to 74% of "Effective" indicators.

The date on the seal of the award indicates the year the award was received. Parent Centers can reapply every three years to renew their excellence award or every year if they wish to advance to the next level.

We congratulate all Parent Centers for their commitment to high quality services to families of children with disabilities!

 
 

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The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the US Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

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