Of course, on-line training and education cannot adequately substitute for the direct, face-to- face experience of the workshop; however, it will give you great training and information for being a Supporting Parent, and it does have certain advantages to it. You can access this on-line training any time, day or night, and can complete it at your own pace. This "pace" will give you some time to really think about all the material presented. The final "test" (don't worry, it's just a final, non-graded essay--not a real test :-) will give you an opportunity to think and write about your experience as a parent of a child with a special need.

You will be given your own, private password in this program and can use it to access your training account anytime.

Each module can be read at your own pace. At the end of each module you will be asked to read this statement: "I have read all this module and understand it." Then you will click on the button 'which says "Next Module." You will not be able to go on to the next module until you have clicked on this button. It will be best if you finish a full module (or more) each session. Then, each time you log on to the program you will automatically go to the module that is next for you in the sequence.

When you have finished all the modules there will be the opportunity to write a final, brief essay which includes 1) your experience as a parent raising a child with special need, 2) what you have to offer another, new parent that you would match with, and 3) your understanding of the roles and responsibilities and limitations of a Supporting Parent.

Once you have completed the whole training and submitted your essay on-line we will have a cadre of two to four veteran supporting parents who will read your essay and leave their thoughts and responses to it. They will also leave their email addresses, for you to correspond with them about the Supporting Parent experience if you wish to do so. This system will substitute somewhat for the lack of face-to-face interaction by the on-line training.

Also, upon signing up as a Supporting Parent, you will be assigned a veteran Supporting Parent who will make a direct phone call to you to welcome you to the Parent Network and then will be available by phone and/or email all during your on-line training process -- to discuss ideas and questions and supply a more personal touch to the training process. This mentor parent will also be available for consultation when you get your first Match.

While Supporting Parent training - whether on-line or in a workshop - can never substitute for basic experience combined with common sense, the training will enhance your capacity to relate to new/referred parents in a productive and helpful way. As a result of this you will:

• Have a better awareness of the history and philosophy of Parent to Parent
• Have a firm understanding of the Supporting Parent role with its responsibilities, its expectations, its limits, its value for new or referred parents
• Know the steps and procedures of matching up with any parent
• Have a better understanding of how to share your own experiences - of raising a child having special needs - with new parents
• Acquire additional communication skills and empathic listening abilities
• Have a better awareness of available community resources
• Acquire some more information about various disabilities