Partners Resource Network
I don’t want another parent to feel alone when dealing with diagnoses, finding resources, and learning to advocate for their child.
My name is Patricia Reedy, and I am the Regional Coordinator for Partners Resource Network's PACT Project, which serves the North East Texas area. I will gladly tell you all the facts about my job and what I do every day, but I would also like to share how I became familiar with PRN. You see, I am not only an employee, but I am a mom of children with disabilities and special education needs. My youngest daughter, Katherine, was born a micro preemie at 1lb and 15 oz and spent fifty-four days in the NICU. When she finally came home, just shy of 5lbs, we had a book about preemies and a handful of phone numbers. We followed instructions and contacted Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), and through ECI we had therapies and caseworkers available to us until she turned four. When she entered the public school system, things were not the same as what we were used to. I came across a brochure for Partners Resource Network stating that they could help with special education and meetings. Making the call to PRN was a life-changing event for our family. I learned how to communicate better with my school, what my rights were as a parent, and how to start planning the educational futures for my girls.
In 2019, I joined the staff of PRN as a Regional Coordinator. Most of the employees at Partners Resource Network have a personal connection to special education and disability. This connection stems from their advocacy for their own children with disabilities. Our staff members work to serve parents and families because we have been there. I applied for the job in our area because I wanted to give someone else the same opportunity that I received. I have personally used the knowledge I learned as a parent and professional to help my college-aged daughter become a self-advocate and advocate for opportunities for my soon-to-be middle school graduate. If I can assist one person, one family, or one self-advocate, then I am happy knowing I was able to serve and hopefully made the road a little easier for them.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we switched to providing consultations, webinars, and meetings via online platforms. Some of those meetings have stuck around, like our monthly virtual youth hangout, where we work with ages 14-26 on social skills and learning about post-high school activities. We have returned to our regular activities of meeting parents and holding workshops and events in person.
We have two major events each year in our region. In the fall, we organize an event for junior high and high school-aged youth, providing them with the opportunity to meet service providers and listen to speakers discussing topics related to transitioning into adulthood. At our 2023 event, we had 100+ students attend this event. We are also honored to host a one-day conference for families and professionals featuring valuable resources and speakers.
This year's family conference will be held in collaboration with TISD Special Populations and the ASPIRe program. We have speakers planned on Internet Safety, Sensory Processing, Mental Health, Talking to your Children about Finance, and Guardianship for ages 18+. The Making Connections conference will be held at the Texas Middle School Cafeteria on March 2, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We will have our speakers, community resources, and food trucks on-site all day. We would love to have you join us.
Facts about Partners Resource Network
Partners Resource Network (PRN) is a non-profit agency that operates the Texas statewide network of Parent Training and Information (PTI) Centers serving parents of children and youth with disabilities ages 0-26 and youth self-advocates ages 14-26. PTIs are funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).
We help parents and youth self-advocates to:
- Understand the disability
- Find program and service options
- Participate as team members with professionals during IEP preparation
- Understand state and federal laws
- Communicate more effectively with professionals
- Gain needed advocacy skills
- Build a support network
All of our services are free to parents and youth self-advocates.
