Quitman P.A.W.S. to present children’s advocate on May 13

QUITMAN – Pam Dollar, director of the Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center, will conduct the first of a series of scheduled programs sponsored by the parent partnership initiative Quitman P.A.W.S. (Parent Advocates Working for Solutions)

Dollar will present "Building Blocks for Strong Parent-School Partnerships in the IEP Process, on May 13, at 6 p.m. in the Parrish Hall of First United Methodist Church, 203 East Franklin St.

Through P.A.W.S. – a parent-supported and parent-operated non-profit group – training programs are made available to community leaders, clergy, parents, guardians, retired educators, caregivers, teachers, administration and those interested in the success of children and youth attending school with the district, said Becky Watkins, a spokesman for the group.

Dollar works for improved services and programs for people with disabilities on a state and national level. She supports others parents by attending IEP meetings, serving as a contact person for parents statewide.

As part of her ongoing efforts to see all individuals with disabilities succeed as valued, contributing members of their communities, Dollars serves on numerous boards, committees and task forces. She travels throughout the state speaking to various groups about autism, special education and parental issues and concerns.

Through her work with Parents United Together, Dollar was instrumental in bring Peter and Pam Wright to Mississippi to conduct the Wrightslaw Boot Camp, a conference that educates participants in special education laws. She also was involved in the development of – and conducted training on – the Extended School Year Handbook issued by the Mississippi Department of Education.

For more information about Quitman P.A.W.S., go to the Web site www.quitmanpaws.com