Parent Information and Training Program (84.235F)

The purpose of the Parent Information and Training (PTI) centers is to support projects that provide impartial training and objective information to enable individuals with disabilities, and the parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or other authorized representatives of the individuals, to participate more effectively with professionals in meeting the vocational, independent living, and rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities. The program offers unique training and information for individuals who live in the areas being served, particularly those who are members of populations that have been unserved or underserved by programs under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Under this program, the Department intends to fund one PTI in each of the eight regions listed below consistent with section 303(c)(3)(A) of the Rehabilitation Act.*

* Note that the Office of Special Education Programs also funds Parent Training and Information Centers under the ALN 84.328M program. Previous cohorts funded under ALN 84.235 have been located at the same site as a ALN 84.328M center.

FY 2026 Funding

Estimated Available Funds: $300,000

Maximum Award: $300,000

Number of Awards: 1

FY 2025 Funding

Estimated Available Funds: $2,400,000

Maximum Award: $300,000

Number of Awards: 8

Program Authority

Section 303(c) of the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. 773(c)).

Applicable Regulations

1. The Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR parts 75, 77, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, and 99. 
2. The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. 
3. The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474.

Applicant Information

FY 2026 Competition

Please refer to the Federal Register Notice below, as well as the following application resources, for more information about this competition:

• FY 2026 84.235F Application Package
• FY 2026 84.235F Application Instructions

Previous Competition Information

• FY 2025 Parent Information and Training Program Notice Inviting Applications

Eligibility

Private nonprofit organizations that meet the requirements in section 303(c)(4) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Rehabilitation Act). An applicant must:

1. Include information demonstrating the capacity and expertise of the organization to:
   1. Coordinate training and information activities with Centers for Independent Living;
   2. Coordinate and work closely with PTIs established pursuant to section 671 of IDEA, the Community Parent Resource Centers pursuant to section 672 of IDEA, and the eligible entities receiving awards under section 673 of IDEA; and
   3. Effectively conduct the training and information activities authorized in section 303(c) of the Rehabilitation Act;
2. Be governed by a board of directors that:
   1. Includes professionals in the vocational rehabilitation (VR) field; and on which a majority of the members are individuals with disabilities or the parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of the individuals (hereafter collectively referred to as “individuals with disabilities and their families”); or
   2. Has a membership that represents the interests of individuals with disabilities; and establishes a special governing committee to operate a training and information program that includes professionals in the VR field and on which a majority of the members are individuals with disabilities and their families; and may include representatives from special education and other public and private agencies on the board, as appropriate; and
3. Serve, and demonstrate the capacity for serving, individuals with a full range of disabilities, and the parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of the individuals.

Note: If you are a nonprofit organization, under 34 CFR 75.51, you may demonstrate your nonprofit status by providing: 

1. Proof that the Internal Revenue Service currently recognizes the applicant as an organization to which contributions are tax deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;
2. A statement from a State taxing body or the State attorney general certifying that the organization is a nonprofit organization operating within the State and that no part of its net earnings may lawfully benefit any private shareholder or individual; 
3. A certified copy of the applicant's certificate of incorporation or similar document if it clearly establishes the nonprofit status of the applicant; or 
4. Any item described above if that item applies to a State or national parent organization, together with a statement by the State or parent organization that the applicant is a local nonprofit affiliate.

Note: A faith-based organization is eligible to apply for and receive a grant under this program on the same basis as any other private organization, consistent with Appendix A to 34 CFR part 75.

FY 2025 Grantees

FY 2020 Grantees