Parents as Collaborative Leaders: Improving Outcomes for Children with Disabilities is a national partnership between the University of Vermont, PACER Center, and several other parent and advocacy organizations. The project will develop research-based training materials and internship experiences to support parents of children with disabilities in becoming active leaders in policy development and evaluation. Active parent leadership will lead to improved educational outcomes for children. Key project activities have included:
- Development of a core curriculum on collaborative leadership has been developed, delivered, and evaluated by 32 parent leaders from across the country who participated in leadership orientations;
- Implementation of leadership internships for each of the participating parent leaders, with support and mentorship from coordinators in each parent’s home state;
- Development of 10 modules, based on the core curriculum, now available on this website for national dissemination;
- Ongoing dissemination of materials and key findings to parent centers and parent membership organizations focused on children with disabilities and their families.
Project Partners
The University of Vermont has a national reputation in training future educators and human services professionals, as well as in conducting research on topics such as family centered approaches to disability, implementation of educational policies, and leadership development. The University of Vermont is also home to the National Institute for Leadership, Disability, and Students Placed at Risk (NILDSPAR).
PACER Center is a national parent center for families for children and young adults with all types of disabilities—physical, cognitive, learning, emotional and other health impairments. PACER is dedicated to supporting the development of leadership skills among parents.
Co-Principal Investigators
Katharine Shepherd, Ed.D., University of Vermont
Susan Hasazi, Ed.D., University of Vermont
Paula Goldberg, PACER Center
State Coordinators
Jennie Gibson and Helen Post, Utah Parent Canter, Salt Lake City, UT
Connie Hawkins, Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center, Davidson, NC
Susan LaVenture, National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments, Watertown, MA
Irene Martinez, Fiesta Educativa, Los Angeles, CA
Virginia Richardson and Jodi Baker, PACER Center, Minneapolis, MN