118 STAT. 2790 PUBLIC LAW 108–446—DEC. 3, 2004 ‘‘(8) assist parents to understand the availability of, and how to effectively use, procedural safeguards under this title, including the resolution session described in section 615(e); ‘‘(9) assist parents in understanding, preparing for, and participating in, the process described in section 615(f)(1)(B); ‘‘(10) establish cooperative partnerships with community parent resource centers funded under section 672; ‘‘(11) network with appropriate clearinghouses, including organizations conducting national dissemination activities under section 663 and the Institute of Education Sciences, and with other national, State, and local organizations and agencies, such as protection and advocacy agencies, that serve parents and families of children with the full range of disabil ities described in section 602(3); and ‘‘(12) annually report to the Secretary on— ‘‘(A) the number and demographics of parents to whom the center provided information and training in the most recently concluded fiscal year; ‘‘(B) the effectiveness of strategies used to reach and serve parents, including underserved parents of children with disabilities; and ‘‘(C) the number of parents served who have resolved disputes through alternative methods of dispute resolution. ‘‘(c) OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES.—A parent training and information center that receives assistance under this section may provide information to teachers and other professionals to assist the teachers and professionals in improving results for children with disabilities. ‘‘(d) APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS.—Each application for assist ance under this section shall identify with specificity the special efforts that the parent organization will undertake— ‘‘(1) to ensure that the needs for training and information of underserved parents of children with disabilities in the area to be served are effectively met; and ‘‘(2) to work with community based organizations, including community based organizations that work with low income par ents and parents of limited English proficient children. ‘‘(e) DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall— ‘‘(A) make not less than 1 award to a parent organiza tion in each State for a parent training and information center that is designated as the statewide parent training and information center; or ‘‘(B) in the case of a large State, make awards to multiple parent training and information centers, but only if the centers demonstrate that coordinated services and supports will occur among the multiple centers. ‘‘(2) SELECTION REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary shall select among applications submitted by parent organizations in a State in a manner that ensures the most effective assistance to parents, including parents in urban and rural areas, in the State. ‘‘(f) QUARTERLY REVIEW.— ‘‘(1) MEETINGS.—The board of directors of each parent organization that receives an award under this section shall meet not less than once in each calendar quarter to review the activities for which the award was made. Reports. Deadlines.
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