10/20/2026
Starts TODAY! Family Matters PTIC Virtual Special Education Parent Summit
Join Family Matters’ FREE Virtual Special Education Family Summit, October 20–22! Choose from 15+ sessions packed with practical information to help parents and advocates navigate special education, strengthen IEP advocacy, and prepare children and young adults with disabilities for the future.
From IEPs, accommodations, behavior, and mental health to transition planning, PUNS, ABLE accounts, and adult services, choose the sessions that matter most to you. Day 3 features sessions presented in Spanish.
Register once. Attend one session or join us for all three days. https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xIJCfVDJRV6YPXqjlp8xuA #/registration
Explore the full schedule below and save your seat today!
Day One Tuesday, October 20,2026: Special Education Basics
8:30 AM-8:40 AM Welcome, Megan Mutti, FMPTIC Executive Director
8:40 AM-9:30 AM Accommodations, Modifications, and How They Help Your Student , Jennifer Kaufmann, Corkery Elementary School (CPS
9:40 AM-10:30 AM Beyond Behavior: Supporting the Mental Health of Students with Disabilities, Nadjeh Awadallah, Arab American Family Services
10:40 AM-11:30 AM, Supporting Communication in Minimally Speaking and Non-Speaking Students, Daj Mitchell, UniVie Therapy Solutions
11:30 AM-12:15 PM Lunch and Learn: Empowering Families: Understanding High-Leverage Practices for Student Success, Stephanie Woodley, IESE Network
12:15 PM-12:30 PM Become an Educational Surrogate Parent, Program Overview, Paula Wills, FMPTIC
12:30 PM-1:20 PM Going to School with Complex Medical Needs, Susan Agrawal, The Arc of Illinois
1:30 PM-2:20 PM Developmentally Appropriate Practices: Early Childhood Education and Care, Ann Oswalt, Family Matters Board of Directors
2:20 PM-3:20 PM Early Childhood Inclusion – What Families Should Know,
Ann Kremer, EC LRE/Early Choices
3:20 PM-4:10 PM Discipline and IDEA – An Overview, Zoubida Pasha, FMPTIC
4:10 PM-4:50 PM The IEP at a Glance: Understanding your Child's IEP, Melinda Miethe, IESE Network
4:50 PM Closing, Megan Mutti, FMPTIC Executive Director
Day Two Wednesday, October 21, 2026: Transition To Adulthood
8:30 AM-8:40 AM Welcome , Abbi Mars, FMPTIC Transition Facilitator
8:40 AM-9:30 AM Ready or Not, Here it Comes: A Transition to Adulthood Primer for Parents , Suzanne Aaron, The Arc of Illinois / Illinois Life Span
9:40 AM-10:30 AM, Know Your Options: PUNS & Waiver Services,
Annie Bruno & Jerin Olson ,The Arc of Illinois – Family Advocate Program
10:40 AM-11:30 AM, Navigating the Maze: Understanding Agencies and Acronyms
Suzanne Aaron, Tiffany Steinhauser, The Arc of Illinois / Illinois Life Span
12:30 PM-1:20 PM ABLE Accounts: What Parents, Guardians, and Families Need to Know, Rosemary Laudani, Office of the Illinois State Treasurer
1:30 PM-2:20 PM School Records and Transition, Laura Hart, IGAC
2:25 PM-3:20 PM Beyond the IEP: Transition Planning and Community Resources for Life After High School, Stephanie Woodley Melinda Miethe, IESE Network
3:20 PM-4:15 PM, Using AI to Develop a Strong Transition Plan, Abbi Mars & Paula Wills FMPTIC
4:15 PM Closing, Abbi Mars, FMPTIC Transition Facilitator
Day Three Thursday, October 22,2026: Sesiones en Español
9:30 AM – 9:50 AM Resumen FMPTIC / Overview of FMPTIC, Carmen Butron, FMPTIC Educational Support Coach
9:50 AM– 10:30 AM Conozca sus opciones: PUNS y servicios de exención (Waiver)/Know Your Options: PUNS & Waiver Services, Ruth Aguilar, The Arc of Illinois
10:40 AM – 11:30 AM Cuentas ABLE, Elizabeth Campos Hamilton , Oficina del Tesorero del Estado de Illinois
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM Conceptos basicos de education especial/ Special Education Basics/ Special Education Basics, Gladys Guerra, FMPTIC/ggtranslation
1:20 PM-2:10 PM De IDEA a ADA /From IDEA to ADA, Oscar Gonzalez, Great Lakes ADA Center
2:30 PM-3:10 PMRequirements & Process for ISBE-Certified Interpreters, Gladys Guerra, FMPTIC
3:10 PM Finalizan, Gladys Guerra and Carmen Butron, FMPTIC
