Idaho Parents Unlimited, Inc.

News at IPUL

Check out our new Family to Family project . If you have any comments or suggestions on the website email the webmaster. If you would like to contact one of our parent education coordinators please email parents@ipulidaho.org

What Is IPUL?

Idaho Parents Unlimited, Inc.(IPUL) is a statewide organization which houses the Idaho Parent Training and Information Center, the Family to Family Health Information Center, and VSA arts of Idaho (Formerly Very Special Arts). IPUL’s activities are supported by funding from various state and federal agencies, by fund-raising events, and through parent memberships. Founded in 1985, IPUL isestablished as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation in the state of Idaho.

IPUL is headquartered in Boise, Idaho, and has additional staff and contractors in other locations of the state. IPUL is governed by a Board of Directors which consists of parents of children with disabilities, individuals with disabilities, professionals (such as teachers, counselors, education administrators), disability service providers, and others who serve the interests of children with disabilities.

The Parent Training and Information Center programs work to ensure that parents of children with disabilities receive training and information on their rights, responsibilities, and protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in order to develop the skills necessary to cooperatively and effectively participate in planning and decision making relating to early intervention, education, and transition services. In addition, all IPUL programs work closely with families whose primary language is Spanish.

VSA arts of Idaho works to empower and engage people with disabilities in the creative process through opportunities which are fully inclusive, educational and participatory. VSA arts of Idaho creates these opportunities by providing professional training and workshops, developing state initiated projects, and implementing successful national programs.

The Family to Family Health Information Center works to help sustain the health and well-being of Idaho’s families, their children and youth with special health care needs. The program values family-centered care and honors the strengths, cultures, traditions and expertise in the familyprofessional partnership.

Activities and Services Available through IPUL:

• Individualized, one-on-one assistance, by phone or in the office, to families of children and youth with disabilities from birth to age 26, provided by trained staff.
• A statewide toll-free telephone line which enables families throughout the state to access IPUL services at no cost.
• Workshops around the state designed to inform families and others on special education laws and other topics relevant to raising a child with a disability
• Written materials and general information about disabilities, including local and national resources
• A quarterly newsletter, The Idaho Parent Network.
• E-mail access to staff at: parents@ipulidaho.org
• Information, education, and links through our website: www.ipulidaho.org
• A statewide conference held in Boise, Idaho featuring local and national speakers and sessions on a wide variety of topics of interest to families
• Parent leadership training
• Spanish translation services on disability related information
• Educational or career opportunities in the arts for people who have disabilities
• Technical assistance on cultural accessibility

All of the IPUL activities and services listed are provided FREE OF CHARGE, with the exception of a few programs, to families of children and youth with disabilities. These fees are typically minimal; and scholarships are available to family members or to people with disabilities who are unable to pay the fees.

Guiding Principles

• Parents, guardians, and other interested parties who seek IPUL’s assistance will receive, on a timely basis, accurate, culturally appropriate, understandable information and referral services on their children’s disabilities and their children’s rights under the laws that serve children/adults with disabilities. Additionally we will give guidance on effective participation in team decision-making and finding service options/opportunities to meet their children and families’ needs. IPUL’s services must be accessible to all families in Idaho, regardless of language, disability or cultural differences.
• IPUL recognizes that families whose primary language is Spanish represent a significant percentage of Idaho’s population. IPUL will strive to offer services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate for Spanish-speaking families.
• IPUL believes that by supporting the full participation in the arts, people with disabilities obtain a means and an audience to express themselves artistically in a variety of mediums.
• IPUL believes in the full participation of people with disabilities and their families in all decisionmaking processes that affect the services their children receive.
• IPUL believes that people with disabilities and their families have the right and the responsibility to be actively involved in the local, state, and national decision-making that affect their lives. To that end, IPUL will seek to identify and facilitate the involvement of parents of children and youth with disabilities on policy-making committees and activities.
• Based on established priorities, IPUL will participate in systemic change efforts that promote the interests of individuals with disabilities and their families.
• IPUL recognizes that one of the greatest barriers in obtaining services, experiencing a positive quality of life and gaining community inclusion is the lack of positive public perception of the contributions and abilities of people with disabilities and their families. In order to inform our community, IPUL works to educate on the abilities, contributions and challenges of people with disabilities, which will thereby reduce negative stigmas or stereotypes.
• IPUL believes that people of all diversities must have the opportunity to learn, work, and socialize with one another in their communities. While parents will be encouraged to seek community-integrated opportunities for their children with disabilities, we recognize that community integration is individualized and that ample supports must be provided for successful community participation.
• IPUL believes parents should be informed that their children, upon adulthood, should make their own life decisions, to the maximum extent possible and desirable, and should be supported in their efforts to be interdependent. To facilitate this process IPUL will work as a bridge to the adult service systems so youth with disabilities and their families have the opportunity to avoid a lack of support as they progress from childhood to adult life.
• IPUL board members have the responsibility to determine the direction of IPUL and assist the agency to meet its financial long- and short-term goals. In order for them to fulfill this responsibility, board members are entitled to regular, timely, and accurate information on agency finances and agency progress in meeting program obligations.
• IPUL values its staff and believes in providing adequate compensation and benefits, regular and relevant employee education, and a pleasant, positive atmosphere. Employess must be scheduled for the amount of time necssary to allow them to successfully complete their assignments.