Family and Community Resource Center

The Family and Community Resource Center (FCRC) contains a wealth of information on many disabilities and disability-related topics. The center has more than 3,500 books and 200 videos available to be checked out at no charge, as well as 70 notebook binders filled with hundreds of “take-along” articles. Resource packets, ability awareness materials, brochures, agency pamphlets and catalogs round out the resources that are available. Books and videos can be checked out two at a time for a two-week period and can be renewed if there isn’t a “wait list.”

The center also has a computer for parents to use for word processing, browsing the Internet and making visual supports with Boardmaker software.

The following items – lists of items available to be checked out, bibliographies, resource packets, brochures, an FCRC calendar and the Parent Handbook – are available by calling Judy Presberg at 314.989.8438, Joann Noll at 314.989.8108 or Nancy Martin at 314.989.8194, or by e-mailing fcrcssd.k12.mo.us. Parents interested in receiving copies of any of these items, should include the following information when making a request: Child’s name, disability and school. (Note: These items will be sent to the student’s school. Items will only be sent to public schools in St. Louis County.)

In addition, a tour of the center is available by appointment. The FCRC is located on the lower level of the SSD Central Administrative Offices, 12110 Clayton Road in Town & Country.

Listings of items that may be checked out are available according to these categories:
Books
Videos
Posters
Awareness materials
Bibliographies (book lists), resource packets (outside agencies, definitions and criteria) and brochures (support services and training) are available for various topics. View topics.

An FCRC calendar is updated monthly and lists meetings, workshops and conferences at SSD and in the community.

A Parent Handbook is available in sections or in its entirety. Sections are:
- Overview of Special School District, laws and parental rights in special education
- The evaluation process
- The IEP guide for parents*
- Individual disability sections with state eligibility criteria and resources for each
- Transition process
- Local, state and national resources on disabilities, plus support, advocacy organizations, sibling support and technology
- Guide to people-first language, glossary of terms and acronyms
*The 50-page IEP guide for parents provides information about the IEP process, what to do to prepare before the meeting, how to participate effectively during the meeting and follow-up strategies to use after the meeting.

SSD offers parent workshops throughout the school year on topics such as Helping Children Develop Friendships, Common-Sense Parenting, Understanding Learning Disabilities and College Planning for Students with Disabilities.

Orientations to special education and the IEP process are held each month in morning and afternoon sessions. The orientations give an overview of special education and how it is provided through Special School District. The sessions also cover educational rights, community resources and support, and the development of an effective IEP.

Download a copy of Parent Connection (PDF) for a list of upcoming parent workshops.