SANCHEZ ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT GRANT AWARD FOR TASK

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) announced two grants today for Team Advocates for Special Kids (TASK) in Anaheim.  The combined funding will total $4,320,321 over a period of three years and will be used to provide training and information to parents of children with disabilities, to help improve their education and their ability to live independently.

“This funding is great news for families in our community and a tribute to the effectiveness of Team Advocates for Special Kids in Anaheim,” said Sanchez.  “Specialized early education is essential in helping children with disabilities develop and succeed.  I’m proud to have this organization in Orange County and I look forward to seeing their expanded services soon.”

“We are delighted to be able to continue the work that we have started,” said Marta Anchondo, Executive Director of TASK.  “We are now able to build and enhance those services. Families are coming to us with not just education but life issues, and we can respond to those. We are all very excited about the opportunity to continue to serve families. I am so grateful and honored to work with such dedicated staff at TASK.”

In addition to providing direct support and workshops to families of children with special needs, TASK will also be expanding their use of information technology to better reach underserved families and those living in remote or rural areas by offering web-based trainings in English and Spanish.

The grant funds will be provided to TASK by the Parent Information Centers Program, a vehicle of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  The program supports awards to assist parents to better understand their children’s needs and their rights to educational and early intervention services, as provided by the IDEA.