Children's Trust

Parental Information and Resource Centers (PIRCs) give moms and dads a place to turn if they need help understanding their rights regarding their children's school systems or if they need pointers on making sure their children enter school ready to learn and stay on the path toward success once they're enrolled.

With nine centers across the state and the administrative office in Columbia, PIRCs are funded through federal grants aimed at making parents aware of their options and at offering supplemental services under the national No Child Left Behind Act.

PIRCs' specific duties include:

• Reaching out to parents of low-income, minority and limited English proficiency children enrolled in schools;
• Helping these parents understand Parent Report Cards, Supplemental Educational Services,and Public School Choice as described in the No Child Left Behind legislation;
• Helping parents communicate effectively with schools.
• PIRCs also partner with school districts on parental involvement policies, programs and activities such as:
• Early childhood parent education programs (Parent-Child Home Program, Parents As Teachers)
• Preteen and teen parenting groups
• Developmental screenings for pre-school aged children
• Parent-to-parent peer groups
• Drop in and play with your child sessions
• No Child Left Behind information about parental rights
• Mandated Title 1 parent involvement
• Coordination with School Improvement Councils
• National, state, and local Parent-Teacher Associations/ Organizations
• In addition, each center may provide referrals to community resources. The centers are responsive to their individual communities; programs and services vary accordingly.