Families, Agencies, and Schools Together (FAST).
What we Do.
Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center at CHOC, a part of Rady Children’s Health, partners with the Thompson Policy Institute on Disability to lead the Families, Agencies, and Schools Together (FAST) program. FAST aims to educate families, service agencies, and the medical community about the Special Education process; foster strong, collaborative relationships between families and schools; enhance the skills and knowledge of school and community-based providers; and support the development of high-quality learning plans for school-aged children.
How We Do It.

For Families:.
- Workshops on navigating Special Education, IEPs, and Transition Planning
- One-on-One Consultations to support IEP development, assessments, and understanding legal rights
- Support Building Family-School Partnerships to promote collaboration and student success

For Schools and Educational Professionals:.
- Professional Development on topics such as IEP implementation, behavioral and academic interventions, and inclusive practices
- Consultation Services tailored to school sites for case-specific student support and staff capacity building
- Assessment Interpretation & Planning assistance using psychoeducational and multidisciplinary approaches

For Medical, Clinical, and Community Partners:.
- Training and Consultation to strengthen collaboration between clinical/medical professionals and educational systems
- Workshops on Educational Processes to improve understanding of Special Education and school-based supports
- Specialized Workshops for First Responders on working effectively with neurodiverse individuals
Families, Agencies, and Schools Together (FAST).
.Resources.
Additional Funders.
