• Parents of students with disabilities in Freeport School District may receive certain assistance through Family Matters, a Parent and Information Center funded by the U.S. Department of Education. 

    Family Matters
    1901 S. 4th Street, Suite 209
    Effingham, IL 62401
    217-347-5428 voice
    217-347-5119 FAX
    866-436-7842 Toll-Free
    E​mail: info@fmptic.org or deinhorn@arc-css.org
    Website: www.fmptic.org

    Specifically, Family Matters assists parents to:

    1. better understand the nature of their children's disabilities and their educational and developmental needs;
    2. communicate effectively with personnel responsible for providing special education, early intervention, and related services;
    3. participate in decisionmaking processes and the development of individualized education programs (IEPs) under Part B and individualized family service plans under Part C;
    4. obtain appropriate information about the range of options, programs, services, and resources available to assist children with disabilities and their families;
    5. understand the provision of IDEA for the education of, and the provision of early intervention services to, children with disabilities; and
    6. participate in school reform activities.