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Parents/Families of a Child with a Disability
This webpage is for parents and those who work with parents. It is dedicated to providing information on special education issues, practices and resources to families who have children with disabilities.
Quick Links
Parents - Do you want to contact the Office of Special Education?
Special Education:
Questions about Special Education or the Special Education process, please contact:
Beth Donahue
Family Engagement Specialist
Phone: 720-926-1453
Email: Parents_ESSUquestions@cde.state.co.us
Young Children (Birth to age 5) or Preschool:
Questions about young children (birth to age 5) or Preschool Special Education?
Please visit CDE's Preschool Special Education and Child Find Contacts, or contact the Early Childhood Special Education Team:
Heidi White
Director
Phone: 303-501-0837
Email Heidi White
Looking for Child Find ages 3 through 5?
Visit CDE's Child Find for Children Ages 3 Through 5 Years Old or contact the Early Childhood Special Education Team:
Melissa Taucher
Child Find Specialist
Email Melissa Taucher
720-822-6239
Gifted Education:
Questions about students in Gifted Education?
Please contact Gifted Education Team:
Phone: 720-774-0908
Email Rebecca McKinney
School and Family Partnerships
Family, school, and community partnering can be defined as the collaboration of families, schools and communities as active partners in improving learner, classroom, school, district and state outcomes.
Parents play an important role in the education of their children, especially parents of children who are identified as having disabilities. The law requires that parents and school personnel work together to provide children with appropriate educational services
Resolving Issues
- Parents are encouraged to resolve special education concerns at the local school district or BOCES level. School district staff, parents, and children benefit and build relationships when all work together to resolve problems.
- The Exceptional Services Unit has a family-school liaison who acts as a resource and aids in answering individuals' questions and assists in directing parents to various resources. The liaison serves as a resource to parents in non-legal special education matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
View a list of Frequently Asked Questions: A Guide for Parents and Family Members of Students on IEPs.
Child Find and Preschool Special Education
Every school district or Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) has professionals trained to evaluate young children’s development. This service is referred to as Child Find. The purpose of the child find process is to determine whether a child has a need for early intervention or special education services.
Has your child been identified as having a Disability?
Fourteen disabilities have been identified under ECEA. The Disabilities webpage has links to each of the 14 identified disabilities (with more information about that disability) and the appropriate state office contacts.
Does your child have an IEP (Individualized Education Program)?
The IEP Link has both forms and resources
Does your child need related services?
The term "related services" means transportation, and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as may be required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education and includes the early identification and assessment of disabling condition in children.
Dispute Resolution
Find information on dispute resolution options available to parents and school districts regarding disputes during the Special Education process.
Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP)
Family-centered conferences designed to offer support, information, and education to parents with children who have a disability, ages birth to 21 years, and professionals.
Looking for a Conference or Training?
- Calendar: PEAK Parent Center [Exiting CDE Website]
Browse this statewide online calendar of events for families and educators of children and youth with disabilities. - Special Education Legal Conference - Provides special education legal trends/updates both nationally and those specific to Colorado. TBD
Colorado Special Advisory Committees
- Colorado Special Education Advisory Committee (CSEAC) - A mandated state-level committee with members interested in the quality of education received by children/youth with disabilities.
- Colorado Inter-Agency Coordinating Council - (Exiting CDE Website)
A federally mandated, governor-appointed council to advise and assist implementation of Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). - State Advisory Council for Parent Involvement in Education (SACPIE) - A state council reviewing best practices recommending strategies for increased parent involvement in public education, for the purpose of improving education and raising students' academic achievement levels.
Parent and Family Support List / Lista de apoyo para padres y familias
- Agency List for Families of Students with Disabilities
- Una lista de agencias para cualquier persona que busque apoyo y recursos para personal con discapacidades
Supporting Displaced Students
Homelessness and Natural Disasters (such as fires, floods, etc.)
Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities
The Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities page provides access to resources for families and caregivers of children with disabilities, as they support their children.
Our Partners Who Help Us Help You:
PEAK Parent Center
PEAK is Colorado’s Parent Training and Information Center. They have resources, educational opportunities, and direct support through their trained parent advisors.
Show + Tell
Show + Tell is a Community Parent Resource Center (CPRC) focusing on reaching underserved parents of children with disabilities, including those in particular areas with low incomes. They offer resources, workshops, parent advisors, and other sources of information related to parent and children's rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
(Denver Metro)
Disability Law Colorado
Disability Law Colorado is the Protection & Advocacy agency for Colorado. They work to protect disability rights and improve the human, civil, and legal rights of Coloradans through legal representation, advocacy, and education.