PARENTS.QUEBEC: New online tool supports parents in search of resources

The English Parents’ Committee Association of Quebec (EPCA) and the Fédération des comités de parents du Québec (FCPQ) have launched PARENTS.QUEBEC (www.parents.quebec); a singular juncture of parent resources.

 PARENTS.QUEBEC is a complement to the Open School (École Ouverte) government platform launched last spring. Beyond its pedagogical value, this new tool helps parents find the right resources, depending on the needs, the region and the age of the child.

 “This very relevant and helpful tool will fill a void that has long been a source of frustration for parents who often do not know where to turn when they want to support their children,” said EPCA President Katherine Korakakis.

 Whether parents are looking for resources to support their child with special needs, literacy, guidance counseling, human rights, mental health, just to name only a few, resources can be found with ease on this user-friendly site.

 The Inspirations team is proud to be a part of this initiative, with Inspirations featured as the portal to special needs for the Anglophone community. The EMSB Database of Special Needs Resources, hosted on the Inspirations website, shares over 500 resources in the Greater Montreal and surrounding areas. Korakakis often consults this database. “As a special needs parents, life is already so overwhelming. Inspirations helps me find information I need, when I need it. It helps take a little of the load,” she added.

For several years, EPCA and FCPQ have sought to boost support for parents by uniting the resources available to them. The support of the Quebec government for this initiative brings this shared vision to life. “While PARENTS.QUEBEC is being launched during the pandemic, it is the result of many years of hard work, developed partnerships and repeated requests from parents. The daily lives of families have been turned upside down since last March, and the situation shows more than ever the importance of having a tool that answers parents' questions and helps them find resources according to their needs,” said Kevin Roy, President of the FCPQ.

“Each day, Quebec parents play a key role in the development and success of their children, and the support of the Quebec government to PARENTS.QUEBEC demonstrates the importance and recognition we give them. Since the beginning of the pandemic, parents have demonstrated incredible strength and resilience by juggling school and work at home, and their requests for help have been heard. This tool will become a valuable reference to answer their questions. Like Open School, PARENTS.QUEBEC is added to the list of resources and concrete means available to promote student success,” said Education Minister Jean-François Roberge.

Visit PARENTS.QUEBEC at www.parents.quebec.