EPICS Project

EPICS - Education for Parents of Indian Children with Special Needs

The EPICS Project is a community parent resource center for American Indian families who live in New Mexico and who have children with special needs.

EPICS' mission is to assist American Indian parents by providing information and training that helps them fully participate in their children's educational and school programs. Our "no-cost to parents" services are aimed at Indian parents whose children are ages birth to 26 and:

• have disabilities or special needs;
   
• live in New Mexico;
   
• attend public schools, BIA schools, or are enrolled in the state's birth-three Family-Infant-Toddler program.

EPICS provides opportunities for:

• meeting, sharing and networking with other American Indian parents whose children have disabilities;
   
• learning how disability laws, i.e. IDEA, ADA Section 504, can help their children;
   
• developing communication and advocacy skills that help their children get the services they need.

Goals of the EPICS Project:

• To provide training and information directly to American Indian parents.
   
• To support educational and health care professionals to involve American Indian parents.