By Anna Marcus & Leann Springer Around the world, children are excluded from schools where they belong because of disability, race, language, religion, gender, and poverty. PEAK’s mission, as you probably already know, is to provide training, information, and technical assistance to equip families with strategies to advocate successfully for their children. As a result of these services children and adults will live rich, active lives participating as full members of their schools and communities. We know that an inclusiveRead more

“Someone is waiting for you to be their ‘Hope Dealer,’ an audacious and fearless champion for children.” - Hasan Davis, Written Off. Are you a hope dealer? Do you hand out life chances for the kids you encounter, the kids in your classroom, or your own kids at home? You may be wondering what a hope dealer is or what it even means to be a hope dealer. If you want to learn more about ways you can make aRead more

“The function of freedom is to free someone else.” - Toni Morrison Beginning last spring and into the summer, PEAK Parent Center staff began the momentous task of writing grant proposal applications to continue our work for the Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center project and the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Shift project. After a ton of work, It came down to the final hours and we rallied as a team to produce two proposals that met the stringent setRead more

A change of season is upon us. Crisp cool mornings have made their way into the forecast. One of the earliest snowstorms in state history has passed. The more tolerable temperatures of fall are finally here. Can you hear the aspen leaves quaking in the breeze? Can you see the magnificent autumnal palette that will soon adorn our colorful Colorado landscape? The season at PEAK Parent Center is also changing. Barbara Buswell, PEAK’s co-founder and longtime Executive Director, is takingRead more

I sit here typing in my home office looking out the large windows to our back yard. It’s a patio that at some point was closed in. I hear my son speak into his school computer to two of his teachers via Zoom meeting. His voice echoes from his bedroom, down the hall, through my bedroom, and finally to me while I ponder all the problems we’re facing and glance out at the ponderosa pines dancing in the breeze. IRead more

*Editor's Note: PEAK Parent Center knows the way forward in these uncharted waters amid unprecedented school closures must include collaboration from everyone involved. Education is a community investment. We want each of your voices to be heard; your successes, your struggles, and all that lies between. Therefore, in the coming weeks we will feature tips, questions and answers, and more to provide a way for us to come together (while practicing social distancing) and work toward solutions that help eachRead more

We’ve been busy these last few months creating all things conference. Everyone at PEAK Parent Center is excited and proud to bring you the 34th Annual Conference on Inclusive Education , Discover the Possibilities. Whether you are a veteran attendee or plan to attend for the first time, PEAK’s Annual Conference on Inclusive Education is the premier event to connect you with all things inclusive education. This year’s line-up of keynoters features classic conference names like Jonathan Mooney , who’sRead more

While the days are long and hot, the beginning of the school year is just around the corner! As exciting as the beginning of the year is, it can also be stressful for both parents and children. Whether you need planning or advocacy advice for transitions, tips and tricks for behavior, or information about IEPs, PEAK is here to help! From planning for smooth transitions between grades or schools to navigating the IEP, PEAK is offering a handful of FREERead more

So your child has been identified as having a disability. Perhaps you’ve had some concerns about their development and requested an evaluation for special education services. Perhaps your child is transitioning from Part C services (birth-3 years) to Part B (children ages 3-21). In any case, an evaluation has been done to show that your child qualifies for an IEP. Now what? Congratulations! You are now part of your child’s IEP team - and you are the most important memberRead more