Family Liaison

Caroline Nelson, J.D., M.Ed.
Family Liaison
Department of Special Education

Ph: (512) 732-9000 ext. 20423
Fax: (512) 329-3691

The Family Support Project, coordinated by the Special Education Family Liaison, is a link between school and families. Families seeking support or information about the Special Education process, resources relating to disability, family issues that arise when a child has a disability, community connections or even just a sounding-board can call on the Family Liaison for help. This new initiative of the Special Education Department has goals of outreach, education, support, and community-building. As the Family Support Project grows, the hope is that it will benefit not only among EISD special needs families, but also will extend into the overall Eanes and greater Austin communities.

Family Liaison Goals

Outreach

• Linking families to resources outside the EISD community
• Increasing community awareness of issues relating to youth with disabilities

Education

• Helping parents learn and navigate the ARD/IEP process
• Bringing topics of interest to the parent community

Support

• Connecting families with each other
• Facilitating dialogue and mentoring among parents of children with special needs

Community-building

• Coordinating positive community events
• Encouraging volunteerism
• Working towards further integration of special needs students into the general EISD community

 Family Liaison Services

• One-on-one availability for families seeking community information, resources or support
• Information/consulting sessions on the ARD and IEP process
• Support and networking opportunities
  
• Offerings responding to community needs
• Outreach to staff and community on issues of importance to families of children with special needs