A teacher and student sitting at a table in a classroom working together
Families, Agencies, and Schools Together (FAST)

ยป Families, Agencies, and Schools Together

FAST logoThompson Autism and Neurodevelopment Center at CHOC collaborate with the Thompson Policy Institute on Disability for the Families, Agencies, and Schools Together (FAST) program. This program's goals are to educate families, agencies, and the medical community about the Special Education process; build collaborative and effective family/school relationships; increase knowledge and skills of school and community-based service providers; and create high-quality learning plans for school aged kids. 

 

Fast Team

Dr. Gomez and Dr. Carriere posing for a picture

FAST is a group of educational professionals and graduate students from Chapman University’s Attallah College of Educational Studies’ Counseling and School Psychology Program. FAST provides meaningful support and solutions to families and schools through consultation, parent workshops, and professional development.

The FAST team members have collective expertise in:

  • IEP (Individualized Education Plan) development and implementation
  • Psychoeducational assessment and multidisciplinary assessment interpretation
  • Behavioral, socio-emotional, and academic interventions
  • Developing collaborative family/school relationships
  • Helping families understand Special Education legal guidelines, policies and procedures
  • Supporting families with Transition planning

Families

FAST intern embracing and laughing with FAST participants

For families, we offer educational workshops and consultations which are designed to provide the knowledge and support to successfully navigate through the Special Education process. 

  • Workshops
  • Consultation

 Schools

FAST intern sitting with students at a table

For school communities, we offer personalized consultation and professional development opportunities to increase the knowledge and skills needed for educational professionals to support the needs of the students and families they serve. 

  • Consultation
    • Student consultations
    • Professional Development
  • Linking and collaboration with outside agencies

Medical and Clinical Community

Dr. Carriere playing on the ground with a child

FAST team member sitting around table talking

We offer personalized consultation and professional development opportunities to increase the knowledge and skills needed for medical and clinical professionals to support the educational needs of the students and families they serve. 

  • Consultation
  • Professional Development
    • Special Education 101

Educational Consultation

Consultation for Agencies

FAST provides guidance, clarification, and next steps (as appropriate) on educationally related topics and questions that focus on special education, interventions, and 504 plans for preschool - 22 years of age.    

Educational Consultation rates:

Please contact TPI@chapman.edu for a quote. 

Sample topics that are addressed in educational consultation (the list is not exhaustive):

  • Assessment Process for Special Education
  • Requests for assessments
  • IEP process 
  • IEE requests
  • Preparing for a IEP
  • Goals
  • 1:1 aides
  • Free and Appropriate Public Education
  • Procedural Safeguards
  • Transition
Consultation for Families (included in the FAST program):

FAST provides guidance and clarification on educationally related questions that focus on special education, interventions, and 504 plans for preschool - 22 years of age.  

*If you do not have a FAST program and would like to inquire about educational consultation services please contact TPI@chapman.edu.

Group of FAST volunteers pose for a picture

Location

Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopment Center at CHOC
Elissa Green Kaustinen, Director
170 S. Main Street, Orange
714-628-2825
greenkaustinen@chapman.edu

 

Interested in FAST?

If you do not have a FAST program and are interested in having a FAST program at your agency, contact TPI@chapman.edu.