FAMILY MATTERS PARENT TRAINING ANDINFORMATION CENTER

What FAMILY MATTERS PARENT TRAINING ANDINFORMATION CENTER does

Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center (FMPTIC) is a 501(c)-style nonprofit organization headquartered in Effingham, Illinois, founded in 1989 as a Family Support Program under the Illinois Department of Human Services and operating as a federally funded Parent Training and Information Center since October 2002. FMPTIC is the sole federally funded Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC) in Illinois, a designation awarded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) under grants #H328M150037 and #H328M200072. As of October 1, 2025, the organization expanded its service area to cover all 102 Illinois counties, having previously served 94 counties outside the Chicago area. Its mission is to provide education, support, resources, and community linkages to families of students with disabilities ages 0-26 navigating the special education system under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).

The organization's core service portfolio is delivered for free to families and comprises three integrated layers: (1) direct human support, including individualized 1:1 Educational Support Coaching, IEP document reviews, a toll-free helpline (1-866-436-7842), and administration of the Educational Surrogate Parent (ESP) Program on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education; (2) group programming, including virtual and in-person workshops, webinars, and a training calendar covering IDEA rights, IEP planning, Section 504, transition planning, and behavior/mental health topics; and (3) self-paced digital resources, including the COMPASS online course hosted on Thinkific, podcasts, printable materials, educator resources, and bilingual English/Spanish resources. The technology infrastructure is intentionally lightweight, relying on standard web and communication tools (Zoom, email, website) rather than proprietary platforms. Impact metrics reported for the current year include 5,241 families helped, 93 trainings provided, $10,038.08 in donations raised, and 75 volunteers onboarded.

FMPTIC's revenue model is government-grant-dependent, with primary funding from OSEP federal grants and secondary funding from the Illinois State Board of Education for ESP Program administration, supplemented by tax-deductible public donations. The organization receives no fees from end-user families. Distribution is delivered through a multi-channel approach: virtual self-serve (Zoom registrations via the public training calendar), direct one-on-one coaching (telephone/email), in-person enterprise events (minimum 15 attendees), and a community-based volunteer arm (COMPASS volunteers providing parent-to-peer support at educational meetings). The organization maintains a broad partnership ecosystem that includes Chicago Public Schools Office for Students with Disabilities, Illinois Elevating Special Educators (IESE), Birth to Five Illinois, STAR NET, LifeCourse Nexus, and various financial planning and assistive technology providers.

Name

FAMILY MATTERS PARENT TRAINING ANDINFORMATION CENTER

Legal name

Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center

Website

https://fmptic.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Family Matters PTIC is the sole federally funded Parent Training and Information Center in Illinois, providing free special education training, IEP coaching, and advocacy support to families of children with disabilities ages 0-26 across all 102 counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Special Education Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Family Advocacy, Parent Training & Support Services (EDAJAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parent & Caregiver Training for IEP Navigation (EDAKACAJ), Family & Parent Support Services (Parent Coaching, Advocacy) (EDAJALAK), Family Coaching, Parent-Mediated & Home Visiting EI Services (EDACAFAJ)

Keywords

• Parent training services
• Special education support
• IEP advocacy services
• Disability family services
• Educational surrogate parent

Headquarters

HQ city

Illinois

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Grants: Primary funding comes from federal grants administered by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), through grant numbers #H328M150037 and #H328M200072. The organization also receives funding from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to administer the Educational Surrogate Parent (ESP) Program.
2. Donations: The organization accepts tax-deductible donations from the public to support and expand services for families. Donations go directly toward supporting and expanding services and supports offered to families.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Family Matters Parent Training and Information Center (FMPTIC) is the only federally funded Parent Training and Information Center in Illinois, providing free education, training, individualized coaching, IEP reviews, and community linkages for families of children with disabilities ages 0-26. Services are delivered through one-on-one coaching, virtual and in-person workshops/webinars, an online self-paced course (COMPASS), a volunteer Educational Surrogate Parent (ESP) program, and a toll-free helpline. All services are provided at no cost to families, funded primarily by federal grants from the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

Product overview

Family Matters PTIC is a federally funded Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC) providing a comprehensive suite of services for families of children with disabilities ages 0-26 across the state of Illinois. The organization operates as a single integrated service model combining direct family support (Educational Support Coaching, IEP reviews, toll-free helpline) with group programming (workshops, webinars, training events) and self-paced digital resources (COMPASS online course, podcasts, printable materials). Core offerings include the Educational Surrogate Parent volunteer program, Charting the LifeCourse planning tools, and bilingual resources in English and Spanish. As of October 1, 2025, FMPTIC expanded to cover the entire state of Illinois as the only federally funded PTIC in the state, funded by the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Parent Training and Information Services Federally funded Parent Training and Information Center providing education, support, resources, and community linkages for families navigating the Special Education system, serving students with disabilities ages 0-26 and their families statewide in Illinois.
• Educational Support Coaching Individualized 1:1 support for families working with Educational Support Coaches who help parents understand the IEP process, review required IEP forms, explore goals and concerns, and provide preparatory meeting strategies.
• Educational Workshops and Webinars Free training events and virtual webinars covering special education rights, IEP planning, Section 504, behavior and discipline, transition planning, and other topics upon request. Most trainings are conducted virtually with in-person options for groups of 15 or more.
• COMPASS Program A self-paced online course (COMPASS: Special Education Navigation) offered through Thinkific that equips families with tools and knowledge to navigate special education successfully. Also includes COMPASS Volunteers who provide parent-to-parent support at educational meetings.
• Educational Surrogate Parent (ESP) Program A volunteer program administered by the Illinois State Board of Education where trained volunteers attend IEP meetings, review educational records and evaluations, and advocate for services for students who need extra support.
• IEP Document Reviews Educational record reviews and IEP document guidance to help families understand their child's Individualized Education Program and ensure appropriate services and supports.
• Charting the LifeCourse Tools and Resources LifeCourse-based planning tools and monthly lunch and learn series that help students and families explore strengths, interests, goals, and support needs while learning self-advocacy skills and creating personalized planning tools for IEP meetings and transition planning.
• Toll-Free Helpline Free telephone hotline (1-866-436-7842) providing assistance with special education problems, concerns, information requests, and training opportunities.
• Self-Advocacy Programs Programs and tools including Youth Advocacy Groups and Self-Advocacy Skills training to help individuals with disabilities understand their rights and responsibilities.
• Educator Resources and Professional Development Resources for teachers, paraprofessionals, and school administrators including inclusion guidance, printable resources, and professional development content. Includes the Student-Centered Transitions FMPTIC Learning Series for educators.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Illinois DeafBlind ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026Co-host of the Family Leaders Collaborative Conference 2026: Caring for the Whole Child. Partnership brings together trusted Illinois family-serving organizations to address mental health, financial planning, caregiver supports, and disability services.
• Heart of Illinois Down Syndrome AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026Co-host of the Family Leaders Collaborative Conference 2026: Caring for the Whole Child.
• STAR NETcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026Co-host of the Family Leaders Collaborative Conference 2026: Caring for the Whole Child.
• The Arc of Illinois Life Span ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026Co-host of the Family Leaders Collaborative Conference 2026: Caring for the Whole Child.
• The Arc of Illinois Family to Family Health Information CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026Co-host of the Family Leaders Collaborative Conference 2026: Caring for the Whole Child.
• U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)coreOthersPrimary federal funder of Family Matters PTIC. The organization is funded by grants from OSEP to serve as the Parent Training and Information Center for Illinois. Grant numbers: #H328M150037, #H328M200072.
• Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)coreOthersISBE administers the Educational Surrogate Parent (ESP) Program. FMPTIC receives federal funding from ISBE to provide training and ongoing support for Educational Surrogate Parents. Also publishes the Illinois Dyslexia Handbook referenced in FMPTIC training.
• Illinois Department of Human ServicesminorOthersOriginal funder of Family Matters PTIC as a Family Support Program in 1989.
• Illinois Elevating Special Educators (IESE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the Student-Centered Transitions: The FMPTIC Learning Series, a professional development series for educators.
• INFINITECminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner presentation on assistive technology topics. INFINITEC presents sessions on AT implementation and support for families.
• Chicago Public Schools Office for Students with DisabilitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership on the 'Your Child, Your Voice' Special Education Summer Series, presented by CPS OSD in collaboration with Family Matters PTIC.
• Early Intervention Training Program (EITP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of the Family Data Leaders Series for parents/caregivers of children with disabilities ages 0-5. Partnership focused on using data to improve programs and systems.
• LifeCourse Nexus Training and Technical Assistance CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Charting the LifeCourse Monthly Lunch & Learn Series, using LifeCourse tools to empower students through self-advocacy.
• Birth to Five Illinois: Region 1-B-BminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBirth to Five Illinois hosts FMPTIC for the 'Healthy Minds From the Beginning' workshop. Partnership includes Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society and The Children's Clinic.
• Thrivent FinancialminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on 'Planning for a Loved One with Special Needs' educational series. Michele Westmaas, Thrivent Financial Advisor, co-presents financial planning tools including special needs trusts and ABLE accounts.
• Every Step of the Way Resource CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFMPTIC promotes the Catch-22 Resource Venue event hosted by Every Step of the Way Resource Center for individuals with disabilities ages 18 and older.
• Parents of Extraordinary Children (United Communities for Diverse Abilities)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFMPTIC promotes the United Communities for Diverse Abilities Disabilities Resource Fair hosted by Parents of Extraordinary Children.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• PACER Center: PACER Center is a Minnesota-based Parent Training and Information Center (PTIC) that provides identical services to FMPTIC—free parent training, IEP advocacy, workshops, and special education resources for families of children with disabilities. It is the most directly comparable PTIC operating in a different state under the same federal OSEP funding model.
• The Arc of Illinois: The Arc of Illinois is a statewide disability advocacy organization that FMPTIC partners with for conferences and resources. Provides overlapping family advocacy and disability services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Illinois, sharing customer segments and partnership footprint.
• Federation for Children with Special Needs: Federation for Children with Special Needs is the Massachusetts PTIC offering parent training, IEP support, and special education advocacy services. Operates under the same federal PTIC designation model as FMPTIC and serves an analogous role in a different state's disability services ecosystem.
• Parent Center Hub (CPIR): Parent Center Hub is the national network and technical assistance center for all OSEP-funded PTICs and Community Parent Resource Centers, of which FMPTIC is a member. Operates the same parent-centered training model at a national coordination level.

Emerging players

• Understood.org: Understood.org is a digital-first resource platform serving families of children with learning and attention issues. Offers online special education information and IEP tools that complement FMPTIC's in-person and coaching services, representing a digital-native emerging alternative for parent education.
• Wrightslaw: Wrightslaw provides online special education law and advocacy training resources for parents, including IEP training materials. Competes with FMPTIC's training calendar in digital content distribution while operating as a specialty resource rather than a full PTIC service provider.
• INCLUDEDEd: INCLUDEDEd provides special education advocacy and IEP coaching services in a multi-state model. Represents a potential emerging competitor offering parent coaching services similar to FMPTIC's Educational Support Coaching program but across multiple state markets.

Regional players

• Disability Rights Illinois: Disability Rights Illinois is a statewide protection and advocacy organization for people with disabilities. While focused on legal advocacy rather than training, it shares Illinois geography and overlapping client base (families of children with disabilities) with FMPTIC.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFopy7wRTq61Yg0VLedivUw/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/FamilyMattersPTIC
• Instagraminstagram.com/familymatters_il_ptic?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/family-matters-parent-training-andinformation-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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