It’s not just you, the special education system is complex for many parents. Fortunately, there are resources that can help! We know your time is precious, so we did the research for you! Keep reading for the 10 best Colorado special education parent resources.
1. Procedural Safeguards Notice
Advocating for your child starts with knowing your rights. If you don’t know where to begin, start with the Procedural Safeguards Notice. This document is the foundation for the protections in place for you and your child. Colorado’s Procedural Safeguards Notice was written with parents in mind, and their Guide to Parents Rights is user-friendly. However, if you need help understanding the Notice or have questions, we will cover additional resources that can help!
2. Colorado Department of Education – Parents Encouraging Parents
Have you heard of the Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP) conference? These conferences seek to empower and educate parents and guardians of children with disabilities. PEP conferences offer workshops and opportunities to connect with other special education families. All costs are covered by the Colorado Department of Education, including lodging if you live over 50 miles away. They are typically held from Friday to Saturday a few times a year. Additionally, they occasionally offer PEP conferences virtually! Visit the Colorado Department of Education’s website for more information!
3. Kidvokit for Colorado
Advocating for your child keeps you busy! The last thing you have time for is organizing IEP emails and paperwork. Kidvokit is an online tool that can help! It automatically detects and files IEP emails and creates an organized timeline with your documents. Additionally, Kidvokit can answer your IEP questions with its AI assistant. Stay prepared for all your IEP meetings by letting Kidvokit do the organizing for you. Visit our “How It Works” page to learn more!
4. PEAK
If you are seeking personalized referrals and guidance, PEAK is where you should look. PEAK is Colorado’s Parent Center and a resource hub for special education families! They offer many online resources, but the best thing they provide is access to Parent Advisors. Parent Advisors can answer your special education questions and help you find the resources you need. If you have questions about your rights, the Notice, or the special education process, PEAK can help.
5. Show & Tell
Show & Tell is another Parent Center in Colorado. They primarily serve the Denver Metro area, but their online resources are available to all. Show & Tell seeks to serve BIPOC families of children with disabilities. They offer resources similar to PEAK, such as parent workshops, online resources, and a helpline. However, all their resources are specifically designed to serve BIPOC families. Visit Show & Tell’s website to learn more!
6. Parent to Parent Colorado
A great resource available to Colorado families is Parent to Parent. This program pairs families with a volunteer Parent Mentor who has experience navigating the special education system. Parent Mentors are parents of children with disabilities who have been trained to support other families. They are equipped to provide guidance through training and lived experience. Visit their website to be connected to a Parent Mentor!
7. Disability Law Colorado
Special education is a system formed by laws, and Disability Law Colorado can help you navigate it. Disability Law Colorado is the state’s non-profit Protection and Advocacy organization. They offer advocacy and legal resources to all individuals with disabilities in Colorado. Their website includes multiple guides and fact sheets on special education law. Additionally, they can provide legal and advocacy assistance if a problem with the system occurs. Explore Disability Law Colorado’s website and refer back to them if you ever encounter a problem.
8. Wrightslaw
Speaking of your rights, Wrightslaw is a hub for special education laws. Wrightslaw can keep you up to date on all special education laws, and their easy-to-navigate website allows you to easily search for past laws. Additionally, they provide helpful guides on knowing your rights while navigating the special education system. Wrightslaw empowers you to become an even stronger advocate for your child!
9. Youtube
Do not overlook YouTube as a valuable resource! There are many special education videos on YouTube, but two channels worth checking out are The Center for Parent Information and Resources and The National Center for Learning Disabilities. Both provide helpful videos on the special education system, learning disabilities, and resources available. Additionally, check out your district’s YouTube channel. Some school districts have playlists dedicated to special education resources.
10. Facebook Groups
Connecting with parents who are also navigating the special education system can be very helpful. Sharing with parents who understand the journey can strengthen you by providing a sense of support and solidarity. Additionally, connecting with other parents creates opportunities to share advice and referrals. A convenient platform for connecting with other parents is Facebook. Many niche Facebook groups exist, but a few worth mentioning are: Denver Special Needs Parent Community, Special Needs Parents in Colorado Springs and the State of Colorado, Denver Autism Parents, Autism in Colorado, and Colorado Parents with ADHD/ADD Children.
Colorado Special Education Resource Recap
Advocating for your child is not for the faint of heart. Take a moment to appreciate all the hard work you are already doing! We hope this list reminds you that help is available. Colorado parents have access to multiple parent centers, advocacy assistance, parent mentors, and online tools. Take advantage of these resources and keep up the good work!
Learn more about how Kidvokit can save you time and keep you organized!
