Parent and Family Services

FDLRS PAEC Parent Services assists districts in development of partnerships between families and professionals which allow for shared responsibility for improving the education of children and youth who are exceptional and/or have special or unique needs. FDLRS PAEC supports parents through the following project priorities:

  • Collaborates with schools and districts in the development of family friendly schools

  • Supports development of parenting skills and an understanding of disabilities, abilities, educational rights, due process procedures, education, and developmental and transitional needs.

In an ongoing effort to reach as many parents as possible, FDLRS PAEC Parent Services develops and disseminates to the nine FDLRS PAEC districts the “Extra Special Edition” Parent Newsletter. These newsletters bring parents information to keep them updated on events in their area, federal/state updates and strategies to help their children. The “Extra Special Edition” Parent and Family Services Newsletters are developed quarterly and customized per district.

Parent Resources

Facilitated IEP Process

Learn more about the Facilitated IEP process via this exciting new video (available in English with subtitles and Spanish with subtitles) that introduces the process to parents in order to encourage IEP team resolution.


Madalyn Thorne, Resource Specialist, madalyn.thorne@paec.org


Phone: (850) 638-6131

Click Here to Access
FDLRS PAEC - Child Find


Web Links for Families:

Special Education & Disabilities

Local School Districts

  • Bay County School Board
  • Calhoun County School Board
  • Franklin County School Board
  • Gulf County School Board
  • Holmes County School Board
  • Jackson County School Board
  • Liberty County School Board
  • Walton County School Board
  • Washington County School Board

Local VPK, School Readiness, and Head Start