Yesterday I had a Facebook message from Nevada PEP (Parent Encouragement Program) that they were in need of help to wrap presents at Amazon as a fundraiser. I'm off school, and I really believe in their mission, so I showed up. Got to know Karen Taycher, the Executive Director and Stephanie, the Community Development Director and saw the inside of the southwestern distribution center for Amazon.com. It was fun and I like doing good while I have fun. Also, I will be going on the database at PEP, so I will get notices of activities and programs for families.
Nevada PEP offers individual support to families in Nevada who contact them with questions about services and how to meet their children's and family's needs. Not only will they provide referrals, they also provide opportunities for parents to get together, as well as providing programs and presentations to inform and educate families about their rights and the resources that are available to them.
I'm thrilled. I teach children with autism, and it is a disability that presents parents with lots of challenges. Children with autism often have difficulty in public, and either embarrass parents or create situations that parents are so reluctant to repeat that they end up feeling isolated in their own homes. My parents need support, and I'm thrilled that I will not just get the Facebook posts, but regular emails and mailings that I can share with parents. I already send some notices to them by email, especially for special sports programs that provide extra support.
Of course, there's an unspoken need. As special educators, we often secretly side with parents against our school districts, especially when it comes to receiving sufficient services, like OT and Speech and language. We can refer families to agencies like Nevada PEP so they can find out exactly what their rights are and how they can get the kind of program their child needs.
I hope you will take the time to build relationships with agencies that support your students and their families in your communities. There's enough challenge and heartbreak in having children with disabilities: parents need to know that they can find the support that they need.
Comments
It was a great surprise to have Jerry show up to volunteer. We had so much fun and got to know each other better. Nevada PEP believes that our children with disabilities will have great outcomes when parents and professional work together. We need great teachers and therapists to help our kids reach their potential. Thank you, Jerry, for helping to bridge the gap for parents, between school resources and a host of community providers who can make a difference for our kids.
It’s amazing what Nevada PEP does for the children with special needs in the community. Not only does PEP help the children reach their full potential by advocating for them in their schools, but also by training parents on attainable goal paths their children can work towards. I admire PEP!
-resource>> http://www.nvpep.org
It was an honor to have Jerry come to Nevada PEP’s Amazon fundraiser “Wrap for PEP’. Working together with Community Partners builds a stronger community for all of our children. Thank you Jerry we look forward to working together in the new year.
I met Jerry at an Autism pic nic a couple of years ago and we had the most interesting conversation about children and young adults on the autism spectrum.As the volunteer coordinator here at Nevada PEP, I was so pleased to hear how he participated at the Amazon gift wrapping.I wish to take this opportunity to invite him into the central office for a tour any time he finds convenient.