Parent  Groups & Organizations

FISA Foundation is a charitable grantmaking foundation that is proud to fund and partner with nonprofits across southwestern Pennsylvania who are changemakers working to advance equity and justice for women, girls, and people with disabilities. In addition to grantmaking, FISA extends its capacity by convening grantees and partners, hosting education opportunities, and advocating with and for women, girls, and people with disabilities. Through these efforts, we seek to fulfill our mission:

FISA Foundation champions equity, justice, safety, and inclusion for women, girls, and people with disabilities, combatting systemic racism that impedes progress for these populations in southwestern Pennsylvania.

This is a one coordinated network that helps you connect with the right care, no  matter where you start. 

The mission of the Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh is to enrich the lives of individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the communities in which they live. They accomplish this through communication, education, advocacy, fellowship, and support for the community members’ well-being through alliances with the Pediatric and Adult Down Syndrome Centers of Western PA.

The FASD United Family Navigator program provides individuals living with FASD, their families, caregivers, and supporters with expert, confidential support and referrals. This includes people who are pregnant or intending to become pregnant who have questions about alcohol or substance use.

Navigators serve members of the FASD community and anyone in need of one-on-one peer support, referrals to resources and services, information about prenatal alcohol exposure, or with a question about any facet of FASD. This service is free and does not require a referral. Professionals who serve the FASD community or who would like information on alcohol or substance use and pregnancy are also welcome to connect.

The Local Task Force on the Right to Education is a parent majority organization that works collaboratively with school administrators and community agencies to improve, strengthen, and expand educational services for students with disabilities in every school district in Pennsylvania. Membership of the Local Task Force is made up of parents of children with special needs, school officials, and representatives of agencies serving school age children. If you have questions about special education in your school district, contact your Local Task Force. 

• Washington County (LTF1) - 724-938-3241 ext. 205

• Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) Local Task Force 412-529-2300

• City of Pittsburgh (LTF2) - (412) 323‑3996

• Allegheny County (LTF3) - (412) 394-5930

• Butler County (LTF4) - 724-458-6700

• Beaver County (LTF 27) - 724-774-7800 x7800

• Westmoreland County (LTF 7) 724-836-2460 

PA Families Inc. (PFI) is a not for profit Statewide Family Network providing support to families raising children and youth with emotional, behavioral, and special needs, as well as serving as an advocate.

At Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania, when someone asks what we do, we say we empower and support parents throughout our great state. We connect them with families of children & adults with special needs or disabilities who’ve had similar journeys.

Every state has at least one Parent Training and Information Center (PTI)  that assists parents as they work to ensure their children receive a free, appropriate public education as guaranteed by federal law. In Pennsylvania, our PTI is The PEAL Center, with offices in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The PEAL Center provides parent mentors who help educate parents about special education and how to work collaboratively with school systems to improve outcomes for their children.  

Sharek Law Office was built with the needs of growing families in mind. They want to know you’ve made the best decisions for your family and that your plan will work when your loved ones need it most. They want to make sure your minor children would be raised by the people you choose, and never by anyone you wouldn’t want, and that your teens and adult children are properly prepared to care for you and what you leave behind. 

The Spina Bifida Association of Western PA is a nationally recognized, charitable, nonprofit provider of information and direct services to children and adults with spina bifida and their families. The organization annually serves nearly 1000 children, teens and adults living in 28 counties within Western Pennsylvania and portions of New York, Ohio, and West Virginia.

Stronger family, school, and community partnerships help ensure that relational trust is at the foundation of schools, and that all the actors can work together toward a shared vision of education in their communities. This shared vision of education is critical to education systems transformation.
This report is the result of the participation of hundreds of students, families, school educators, and researchers who dedicated their time and energy to investigating the critical role that families and communities play in ensuring students and schools can flourish.