The objective of the GA Parental Information and Resource Center (GA PIRC) is to strengthen partnerships among parents, teachers, principals, administrators, and other personnel in meeting the educational needs of children.

• Improved home-school communication

• Increased student achievement

• Increased school academic achievement

• Increased parent involvement in school planning

• Increased parent involvement in school review

• Increased parent involvement in school improvement

• Increased school readiness

The GA PIRC is a federally funded initiative of Communities In Schools of Georgia. The funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Innovation and Improvement. GA PIRC works with state and federal programs to provide information and resources on early childhood through high school parent involvement. Parents are provided with technical assistance in communicating effectively with teachers, principals, counselors, administrators and other school personnel.

The GA PIRC is required to provide statewide services which include making resources available to all schools and school districts in the state. GA PIRC provides assistance to schools and districts to address the parental involvement requirements of Title 1 and information regarding key No Child Left Behind provisions. The target audience includes parents of low-income, minority, and limited English proficient (LEP) children. Activities include helping parents understand (1) data that accountability programs make available to parents and (2) significance of that data as it relates to supplemental services and public school choice. In addition, parents receive support in becoming active participants in the development, implementation and review of school improvement plans.

The service delivery involves two major components: the GA PIRC and the GA Parents as Teachers (GA PAT) Network. The GA PIRC is responsible for answering the immediate needs of the state. This includes developing and/or maintaining a cohesive connection between the family, school and community as it relates to school and student success. Resources available from GA PIRC include a website with downloadable information, information on state and federal guidelines, support for school-situated parent centers and workshops. The GA PAT Network supports the Parents as Teachers certified parent educators serving parents of children from birth to the age of 5. Parents as Teachers is a parent education and support program serving families throughout pregnancy and until their child enters kindergarten.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GA PARENTAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCE CENTER:

Julie Hollis ~ jhollis@georgiapirc.net  404-881-3292 1-800-838-5784

600 West Peachtree Street, Suite 1200, Atlanta, GA 30308

www.georgiapirc.net