Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)

The Federation has been supporting and empowering families since before the enactment of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) nearly 50 years ago.  FCSN was the first Parent Training and Information Center in the country. Over 50 years ago, parents and legal advocates in Massachusetts pushed for the first Special Education law in the country to make sure all students were included in public education.  

The Federation was formed to support families and students in Massachusetts as special education services began and evolved.  And, they didn't stop there.  The same families and advocates from Massachusetts pushed for a federal law to give all students with disabilities access to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).  With the passage of IDEA, funding was included to create non-profit Parent Centers like FCSN in each state.  

The Federation has been at the forefront of training parents and professionals to become advocates for students for decades.  We focus on education, early intervention, healthcare, postsecondary transition, and supporting children in foster care and group homes.  The Federation focuses on building strong family engagement to support all children, especially those children with disabilities, those at-risk, and those with economic, cultural or linguistic barriers.  

Donations to FCSN will enable us to continue outreach to underserved populations of families throughout Massachusetts who may be unaware of resources available to them for more successful school outcomes and more community support.