The first annual Family and Educator Conference, put on by the Family Focus Resource Center at California State University, Northridge, will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 6, at Granada Hills Charter School, 10535 Zelzah Ave. in Granada Hills.

"For so many of these conferences there tends to be an Ôus vs. them' environment, with parents against the educators," said Ivor Weiner, assistant professor of special education at Cal State Northridge and one of the conference's coordinators. "What we've asked the speakers to do is help create a positive environment where people can communicate ideas and gain an understanding of each other's perspective."

The day's theme is "Empowered Families Have Thriving Children" and the keynote speaker will be Donnalyn Jaque-Ant—n, associate superintendent in the division of special education for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).

Throughout the conference, parents and educators will have an opportunity to talk one-on-one about the variety of issues and concerns that face families with special needs children or people who work with special needs kids.

The conference's speakers include professors Fred Frankel of UCLA; June Downing, Beth Lasky, Wendy Murawski, Tamarah Ashton, Kathy Peckham-Hardin, Sue Sears, Sally Spencer and Brandie Rosen from Cal State Northridge; and Kate Esposito from Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Also taking part are John Youngbauer with the North Los Angeles County Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled, Melinda Doctor and Ricardo Sosapovon with LAUSD, and Trisha Jernigan with National University as well as several other advocates for the disabled, including parents.

The cost of the conference is $15, with scholarships available for those needing assistance. For more information, call the Family Focus Resource Center at (818) 677-6854.

The Family Focus Resource Center (FFRC), housed in Cal State Northridge's Michael D. Eisner College of Education, is an information, referral, support and education organization serving families of infants at-risk for developmental delays, children and adults with developmental disabilities, and professionals that care for them in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys.

The FFRC's staff works with Northridge faculty and students to promote awareness in the community and education system of children and adults with special needs. The center collaborates with the North Los Angeles County Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled, LAUSD and the Special Education Local Planning Area of the Santa Clarita Valley to provide timely referrals for assessments or resources.