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Belonging

By Leann Springer / March 5, 2019
Now that the flurry of conference mania has settled at PEAK Parent Center, life has returned to normal. We continue our daily work of ensuring inclusion in our Colorado communities and beyond. The parent advisor line is ringing as we prepare for the spring IEP season to commence. Let’s take a few moments to reflect on the 2019 Conference on Inclusive Education. What are some of your favorite takeaways? How will you implement the tools you took home? What movedRead more
Tags: 
Community
Conference on Inclusive Education
Diversity
Inclusion

What to Bring in Your Conference Carry-On: Essentials for the 2019 PEAK Parent Center Conference on Inclusive Education

By Leann Springer / February 5, 2019
How many of you have been on a trip where you've packed an empty bag inside your suitcase to bring home all the goodies, treasures, and keepsakes to remember your travels? Those of you who will attend the 2019 Conference on Inclusive Education will bring a lot of keepsakes home with you. These will be in the form of renewed perspectives, fresh ideas, an expanded toolkit, new resources, and a broader circle of friendship and community! You'll need to bringRead more
Tags: 
Acceptance
Advocacy
Community
Conference on Inclusive Education
Differentiated Instruction
Disability Awareness
Evidence-Based Practices
Family Involvement
Inclusion
Parent Leadership
Professional Development
School Improvement
Self-Advocacy
Teaching Strategies
Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Youth Ability and Power: Come Build Your Voice at the Youth Leadership Summit

By Leann Springer / January 2, 2019
Dan and Emily foto
I recently had the opportunity to spend some time with PEAK's two youth trainers, Emily Tamayo and Dan Smith. A road trip across I-70 was in order for the three of us to conduct a training in Grand Junction. As we maneuvered the ess curves up and over snowy Vail Pass alongside the Colorado River and on through DeBeque Canyon I took the time to ask them about something they are both very passionate about-working with youth! If you haveRead more
Tags: 
Advocacy
Conference on Inclusive Education
Self-Advocacy
Youth Leadership Summit

Forward on the Path to Possibility: New Year’s Wishes

By Leann Springer / December 31, 2018
These last few weeks of December have given us time for brief pause and reflection at PEAK Parent Center. Looking back, another year of blessings has been laid on our path; our grants from the U.S. Department of Education were renewed, the newly formed Region D of the Parent Technical Assistance Center Project has expanded our work in assisting other Parent Centers, and we've helped over 2,000 Colorado families. Looking forward, a new year of continuing this important work isRead more
Tags: 
Advocacy
Conference on Inclusive Education
Inclusion
Outreach
Self-Advocacy
Youth

What’s Your Why?

By Leann Springer / December 19, 2018
PEAK Logo
Parents of children with disabilities try to provide the best possible help for their children that they can - often with little to no resources. PEAK Parent Center provides help through information, classes, support hotlines, and events to families each and every day to families throughout Colorado. Navigating medical, educational, and daily living support systems can be a daunting task for many families. PEAK Parent Center is a nonprofit that works every day to ensure that all children with disabilitiesRead more
Tags: 
Advocacy
Family Involvement
Inclusion
Parent Leadership
Parent Rights
Self-Advocacy

Belonging: Being Accepted No Matter What

By Emily Rome / December 6, 2018
Jenn and Evelyn Photo
At PEAK we are honored to work with families and youth that call us, come through our doors, or meet at workshops and conferences. PEAK is touched by the success that families who work with us create for themselves after gaining the tools needed to successfully navigate systems and situations. We are driven by the work we do because of the results that families report to us. Read about one family’s experience: “Before Parker was born, I dreamed of theRead more
Tags: 
Advocacy
Community
Inclusion
Outreach
Parent Leadership
Systems Change

PEAK Brings You the Very Best

By PEAK Parent Center / November 28, 2018
Hi - Deana Heisler here, coordinator for the 2019 Conference on Inclusive Education. I’ve been wandering around the conference vault again and stumbled upon the speaker file. Wow! I’m taken aback by the stellar line up over the years. I guess when you’ve been doing this for 33 years like PEAK Parent Center has, you’ve got HISTORY! Oh the impactful speakers we have had! Speakers who have enabled us to stay current on emerging issues, professionals who have connected usRead more