For LEAs

How Family CAFÉ Supports LEAs

The Family CAFÉ Project is a federally-funded initiative created to help Local Education Agencies (LEAs) strengthen partnerships with families of children with disabilities. The project provides practical, research-based strategies and resources that help LEAs communicate and support highly mobile families of children with disabilities to engage in the special education process.

Through Family CAFÉ, LEAs can access:

  • Professional learning opportunities for educators and staff focused on effective communication, IDEA laws and procedures, and best practices for engaging families and managing conflicts.
  • Opportunities for collaboration with Family CAFÉ coaches’ learning of the special education process and other topics related to IDEA to ensure that services are responsive to families’ needs.
  • Family-friendly resources to build understanding of IDEA rights and supports available for students with disabilities.

Training Materials for School District Personnel

Team Session 1
Family CAFÉ Overview

Team Session 2
Communicating with Families

Team Session 3
Empowering Families

Coaching Guide

A clear, structured guide to help Family CAFÉ coaches support families with confidence and care.

The Family CAFÉ Coaching Guide is a practical resource for Family CAFÉ coaches working with highly mobile families of students with disabilities. It provides clear session outlines, tools, and strategies to help coaches build trust, guide families through special education processes, and strengthen communication between families and schools. The guide also includes key special education references and information to help coaches explain laws, terminology, and procedures in simple, accessible language.