OUR MISSION

The Mission of West Virginia Parent Training and Information, Inc., is to enhance education, inclusion, and transition opportunities for children and youth with disabilities by empowering parents and caregivers to be effective self-advocates for their children and youth through training, information, resources, and building leadership skills.

OUR HISTORY

The West Virginia Parent Training and Information, Inc. (WV PTI) is a statewide 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Since 1991, WV PTI began as a grass-roots effort of parents, professionals, and community leaders determined to provide information, resources, and support for parents and families of children and youth with disabilities and special healthcare needs. WV PTI supports families to develop the skills necessary to effectively participate in their children’s and youth’s planning and decision-making for early intervention, education, and transitional services. WV Parent Training and Information, Inc.’s philosophy is that parents and caregivers are full partners in the decision-making processes that direct their child’s education and services.  We believe parents must be provided with accurate information and be allowed to make informed decisions.

The struggles of a child with special needs can be so brutal that they can tear at the very fabric of your heart, but the love shared and the pure strength and heroism observed is the needle and thread that mends all tears.
Colin Farrell

Our Values

Quality Leadership

Education and Knowledge

Caring Emotional Support

Advocacy

Collaborative Partnerships

ABOUT US

West Virginia Parent Training and Information, Inc. provides quality, relevant, and useful information and resources to support the families of children and youth with unique needs and young adults with disabilities.

WV PTI is part of the National Technical Assistance Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) and Region C Parent Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), which promote the partnership of families, professionals, and advocates for the involvement of parents and caregivers as valued decision-makers in meeting the unique needs of their child or youth. We support youth with disabilities in becoming self-advocates and leaders as they prepare for their future and life experiences using supported decision-making (SDM) or guardianship, as applicable.

West Virginia Parent Training and Information, Inc. is not a legal services agency and cannot provide legal advice or representation. Any information on the WV PTI, Inc. website or supplied by WV PTI, Inc. is not intended as legal advice and should not be used as a substitution for legal advice. WV PTI, Inc. has a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of parents, consumers, and professionals who provide governance and guidance. The Board is responsible for the organization’s policies, finances, programs, and property. The majority (more than 50%) of the WV PTI, Inc. board members are parents and families of children, teens, and youth with different abilities and unique needs.

West Virginia Parent Training and Information is a statewide project of WV PTI, Inc. WV PTI (Parent Training and Information Project) and is funded by the U.S. Dept. of Education. WV PTI provides training, resources, information, and support for children and youth with all types of disabilities (birth through 26 years old), their parents, caregivers, professionals, and youth with disabilities.

Meet WVPTI

Our Vision

WV PTI, Inc. ENVISIONS children and youth with disabilities and special healthcare needs being prepared to lead productive and independent adult lives to the maximum extent possible.

WV PTI, Inc. ENVISIONS a world where individuals of all abilities are valued, respected, and included.

Our Values

WV PTI, Inc. affirms the right of all individuals, with or without disabilities – to have an appropriate education and other needed services. In doing so, we value the intersectionality of diversity and equity of all.

impact

Learning & Participation

All children and youth can learn and have the right to a quality education and to fully participate in their schools and communities.

Collaboration

Communication and collaboration between parents and teachers support inclusive education and student needs through our leadership training and support group.

Informed Decision-making

We believe parents and caregivers must have the information to make informed decisions about their child’s education and empower them through our training and resources.

Community Understanding

We foster community understanding by affirming the uniqueness of all individuals and reducing isolation through education and community outreach activities.

Engagement

Providing and promoting active engagement and informational support for parents through interactive workshops.

Our Staff

Meet the staff at WV Parent Training and Information. The Parent Engagement Specialists (PES) and staff are family members of children and youth with disabilities. Parent Engagement Specialists (PES) are experienced with navigating the special education maze and searching for information and resources in West Virginia. It can be a comfort to speak with someone who has traveled the same path you are currently on. At WV PTI, we attend a limited number of IEP and 504 meetings and truly understand how overwhelming the process can be.

Brenda Lamkin

Executive Director, M. Ed.

Cara Price

Parent Engagement Specialist

Tammy Lane

Parent Engagement Specialist

Valerie Gallagher

Data and Transition Outreach Specialist

Dianne Carpenter

Transition Coordinator

Elizabeth Garton

Newsletter Editor

Marlena Broschart

Transition and IEP Specialist

The West Virginia Parent Training & Information, Inc. is committed to providing access to our web pages for individuals with disabilities. The content of this site has been tested for usability and accessibility using a combination of standards-based, automated procedures and accepted heuristic methods. We make every effort to comply with the requirements of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Compliance is an ongoing process and we encourage notification when information on our website is inaccessible. If for any reason you are having difficulty accessing any of our resources please call us at (304) 472-5697 or contact us at https://wvpti-inc.org/contact/.

The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the US Department of Education, #H328M140005, Project Officer David Emenheiser. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.