About Idaho Parents Unlimited
What is Idaho Parents Unlimited?
Founded in 1985, 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, Idaho Family Voices and IPUL Arts.
IPUL Education: The Parent Training and Information Center ensures 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, educational, and transitional services.
IPUL Health: As the State Family Voices Affiliate and the Family to Family Health Information Center, IPUL assists families in making informed choices about health care; provides training, information, and resources to families of children with special health care needs.
IPUL Arts: Artist in Residence Program and Work of Art. IPUL empowers and engages people with disabilities in the creative process through opportunities which are fully inclusive, educational. and participatory. IPUL Arts connects teaching artists with students both with and without disabilities in Idaho schools and community centers through our Creative Access Artist in Residence program ensuring children and youth have access to high-quality arts education. IPUL Arts also houses the Work of Art program in partnership with the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to provide pre-employment skills to youth with disabilities through a unique and collaborative design thinking process.
Idaho Parents Unlimited’s programs fulfill a mission to educate, empower, support and advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families.
You can view a short video about who IPUL is and what we do that below:
Engage + Educate + Bridge + Lead
Engage
We are the families we serve. We are allies who build relationships and assist parents to be involved in supporting the needs of their children and to be leaders who are a resource to other parents.
Educate
We support your journey and decision making as parents with credible information, training, and technical assistance, so you feel empowered to act on behalf of your children.
Bridge
We serve as a bridge between families, children, and youth and the partners who provide services to understand needs, access resources, and support mutually beneficial solutions.
Lead
We are leaders in providing credible information and research-based data to support systemic change that removes barriers and creates equitable access to services, education, and opportunities.
Our Vision
Idaho Parents Unlimited, Inc. envisions inclusive and accessible communities, services, education, and opportunities for children and youth with disabilities and/or unique and special healthcare needs.
Our Guiding Principles and Beliefs
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 provide information 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 believes in the full participation of people with disabilities and their families in all decision-making 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 believes parents should be informed of the options and opportunities that their children, upon adulthood, have to make their own life decisions, to the maximum extent possible. To facilitate this process IPUL provides the tools and resources families need to best advocate in the transition to adult service systems process.
Our Ethical Standards
Idaho Parents Unlimited adheres to the Ethical Standards for Human Services Professionals, as found on the National Organization for Human Services website.
What we do:
- Provide individual assistance to families through calls, emails, and in-person meetings
- Provide options that you may have to resolve any individual issues
- Present monthly training workshops and webinars on a variety of topics
- Provide special request workshops at community events and/or conferences as well as for parent or professional groups
- Advocate for systems, programs, policies, and rules that have an impact on Idaho families
- Provide effective advocacy training and information for families and youth to best advocate for themselves.
- Provide Parent Leadership Development training annually to build on a growing list of parent mentors who can amplify our work across the state.
- Provide scholarships to parents to attend conferences or events related to your child’s disability.
- Provide arts education through our in-school/community center residencies and Work of Art Programs
- Listen and provide support
What we do NOT do:
- Provide general parenting training (ie: court ordered classes)
- Advocate on behalf of an individual child or family
- Attend IEP meetings
- Tell you what you should do
- Provide legal assistance or advice
- Endorse or promote specialty care providers, legal services, or schools/districts
- Provide 24-hour crisis services (we are not a crisis agency)
- Provide routinely scheduled art classes
Who do we serve?
Idaho Parents Unlimited works with parents, family members, and caregivers of children and youth with disabilities and special health care needs and the professionals who are a part of their lives. While our office is in Boise, we work statewide using technology, and we frequently travel to all regions of the state throughout the year. We assist families who have children of any diagnosis from birth to age 26.
Who are Children and Youth with Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs?
Children and youth who have or are at increased risk for chronic, physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions and who also require health, education, and related services beyond that required by children generally (http://familyvoices.org/ncfpp/f2fs/). To keep things simple, Children and Youth with Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs will be referred to by using the acronym CYSHCN.
- 68% have 2 or more health conditions
- 45.5% have health conditions that affect their daily activities
- 37.5% require specialized medical care
- 33.2% require mental health care
- 47.2% needed mental/behavioral health care but did not receive it (2)
- 12% of Idaho’s student population receive special education services
In Idaho, there are approximately 34,000 children ages 3-21 receiving special education services. Furthermore, an approximate 4,500 students receive services under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (access accommodations). (NCLD) https://www.ncld.org/identifying-struggling-students
This does not account for infants, toddlers, or students who may be homeschooled or in private school settings. It is estimated that one in five children are living with a disability or special health care need.
Idaho Parents Unlimited provides assistance and training to approximately 5,000 families and professionals each year. Our services are always at no cost to families and are available to anyone who seeks them.
You can download a PDF version of this report by clicking this link: 2023 IPUL Annual Impact report
IDAHO
PARENTS UNLIMITED
IMPACT REPORT
As we bring another transformative year to a close, Idaho Parents Unlimited is honored to present our annual report, reflecting the remarkable journey we have embarked on together. Through the pages of this report, we hope to convey the impact of our collective efforts and the strides we’ve made in empowering families and individuals in Idaho.
2023
ABOUT US
IPUL Education: The Parent Training and Information Center ensures that parents of children with disabilities receive training and information on their rights, responsibilities, and protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to develop the skills necessary to cooperatively and effectively participate in planning and decision making relating to early intervention, educational, and transitional services. The United States and its territories have almost 100 Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs), and we are lucky to be part of this network.
IPUL Health: As the State Family Voices Affiliate and the Family to Family Health Information Center, IPUL assists families in making informed choices about health care; and provides training, information, and resources to families of children with special health care needs. Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2F) are found in each state, the District of Columbia, five US territories, and three F2Fs serving tribal communities. We are proud to be Idaho’s Family Voices affiliate and Idaho’s Family to Family Health and Information Center.
IPUL Arts: Artist in Residence Program and Work of Art. IPUL empowers and engages people with disabilities in the creative process through opportunities that are fully inclusive, and educational. and participatory. IPUL Arts connects teaching artists with students both with and without disabilities in Idaho schools and community centers through our Creative Access Artist in Residence program ensuring children and youth have access to high-quality arts education. IPUL Arts also houses the Work of Art program in partnership with the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to provide pre-employment skills to youth with disabilities through a unique and collaborative design thinking process.
Idaho Parents Unlimited’s programs fulfill a mission to educate, empower, support and advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families.
BY THE NUMBERS
3300
Families and Youth
through training, workshops and support IPUL provided to parents and youth
3253
Professionals
through training, workshops and support IPUL provided to professionals
31%
Record Volume of Calls
our instances of assistance increased by over 31% from 2022
406
Meetings Attended
with agencies and professional partners to ensure we are always at the table representing parents and moving systems forward.
WE ARE AT EVERY TABLE
Our partnerships and collaborations are vast. Idaho Parents Unlimited supports parents through committees, councils and collaboration with (not limited to): Cultivating Readers State Development Project, Pyramid Model Collaborative, Title V Got Transition Replication Project, Co-Director of Region D Technical Assistance Center, Consortium for Idahoans with Disabilities (CID), Regional Early Childhood Committee’s (RECC) statewide participation, Idaho Transition Institute and Committee, Idaho State Rehabilitation Council (SRC), Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP), Infant Toddler Coordinating Council (ITCC), Youth Empowerment Services (YES) Family Advocates Meeting (FAM), School-Based Medicaid Advisory Panel (MAC), Western States Regional Genetic Network, Genetic Support Foundation, Idaho Newborn Screening Committee, Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities Person Centered Planning Round-Tables, Charting the LifeCourse and the Cultural Outreach Committee.
IMPACT REPORT
IPUL Arts programs are provided under a contract with the State Department of Education, a grant from the Idaho Commission on the Arts and a contract under the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Work Of Art is a joint program from Idaho Parents Unlimited and the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
The program provides paid pre-employment skills experience for students with disabilities ages 15-21 through the creation of artistic products for professional businesses and non-profits.
The IPUL Arts Residency Program has been placing teaching artists in public schools statewide for residencies in visual, performing, literary, and media arts for over 20 years. Residency sites include grades pre-K–12 as well as community centers. Residencies can occur in general or special education classrooms and are tailored to meet the needs of students as well as accommodate teaching schedules. Residencies are provided annually throughout the state, and our teaching artists are all experienced in teaching arts to special populations. We are thrilled that because of this program, so many students were able to take part in art education!
7
Work of Art
Statewide
Sessions
67
Students who
participated in
Work of Art
22
Art
Residencies
344
participated
in IPUL Art
Residencies
201
classroom
hours for
residencies
IPUL
PARENT LEADERSHIP
Idaho Parents Unlimited’s Parent Leadership Development offers parents of children with disabilities and/or special health care needs the opportunity to take their experiences and hone their story into a tool that can influence change, with the hopes for a better community for all and systems that promote progress.
PARENT
LEADERSHIP
DEVELOPMENT
We were in Athol, Idaho in April to train Parent Leaders. We laughed, cried, and gained valuable knowledge and skills. In collaboration with IPUL, Parent Leaders brainstormed, networked, and bonded. By the end of our time together, each new Parent Leadership graduate had a personal leadership goal and actionable next steps.
7 New Leaders EMPOWERED
7/120
TRAINING AND PRESENTATIONS
IMPACT report
Idaho Parents Unlimited offers comprehensive training programs aimed at empowering parents of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Our training sessions cover a range of topics, including understanding IEPs, Parent/Professional Collaboration, Advocacy, Health Systems etc. IPUL provides resources and workshops to enhance parents’ knowledge and skills in advocating for their children’s rights and accessing appropriate educational services. Through these educational initiatives, Idaho Parents Unlimited seeks to equip parents with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate complex systems, foster effective communication with schools and healthcare providers, and ultimately ensure the best possible outcomes for their children.
54 Trainings and Presentations provided to Parents and Professional partners.
10 Monthly and Self-Guided training opportunities for parents
6 Lunch and Learn’s delivered live on Facebook
IPUL
INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE
1,763
Families
Idaho Parents Unlimited directly assisted families through individual support. Either through phone calls, zoom meetings, emails, or face-to-face we meet our families where they are at.
995
Professionals
We love assisting Professionals too!
This includes informational materials, guides, and toolkits or collaborating to help families. We team with numerous Professionals from thorough the state and disability communities.
Idaho Parents Unlimited plays a crucial role in Idaho assisting parents, families, and professionals who need guidance navigating the complexities of special education and healthcare systems for children with disabilities or special healthcare needs.
The distinctive feature of IPUL lies in its Parent Education Coordinators, individuals who have personally traversed similar experiences and are dedicated to supporting others in deciphering seemingly overwhelming systems. Recognizing that understanding healthcare and educational systems can be daunting, IPUL offers assistance free of charge. Drawing upon their own experiences as parents of children with disabilities, the Parent Education Coordinators blend personal insights with professional development to furnish valuable resources for parents and professionals alike.
Whether it involves navigating Medicaid program applications, cultivating positive partnerships with healthcare providers, addressing questions related to the transition to adulthood, or other concerns, the Parent Education Coordinators stand ready to assist. IPUL stands as a beacon, offering resources and information to empower parents in advocating for their child’s healthcare needs with knowledge and confidence.
IPUL
OPERATIONAL
HIGHLIGHTS
Small but Mighty
We are still a staff of 9, doing all the things! While our workload has increased, our staff size has not.
Growth in Knowledge
Training participants reported increased knowledge and confidence in post-training surveys.
Technical Assistance
IPUL is now co-directing our Region D Technical Assistance Center, alongside our lead partners at PEAK Parent Center in Colorado.
406 Meetings Attended
With agencies and professional partners to ensure we are always at the table representing parents and moving systems forward.
IPUL
PARENT VOICE
SUMMIT
PARENT VOICE SUMMIT:
FAMILY-CENTERED APPROACH:
The PVS aimed to provide strategies to help families advocate for equal access to quality childhood systems, regardless of socioeconomic background, ethnicity, gender or ability. Inclusion and diversity were celebrated and supported. We had attendees representing each region of Idaho.
ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE SERVICES:
The PVS set a priority to ensure the best interests and well-being of families in childhood systems, ensuring that their children’s emotional, physical and cognitive development is supported. Over 120 families participated in this years two day summit.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT:
We promoted the active involvement of parents and caregivers in the decision-making process of childhood systems, recognizing their valuable insights, experiences and perspectives. Families were provided with goal-setting strategies and opportunities for continued involvement with agencies and organizations.
ADVOCACY:
We learned how to advocate for policies and funding that prioritize the well-being of children and support the development and improvement of effective childhood systems. At PVS we recognized the crucial role of governmental support in ensuring quality services for ALL children.
IN 2024…
Looking ahead, we are excited the possibilities that the future holds for our children.
IPUL’s commitment to continuous improvement, collaboration and responsiveness to the evolving needs of our community will remain unwavering. Together, we will continue to be a beacon of hope, a source of support, and a catalyst for positive change.
In the face of challenges, our community has shown resilience, determination, and a commitment to creating a brighter future for the children and families we serve. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the families who entrust us with their stories, the dedicated staff who work tirelessly, and the partners who share in our vision of inclusivity and support.
This year, we witnessed inspiring stories of growth, resilience, and empowerment. From innovative programs fostering independence to advocacy initiatives championing inclusivity, every accomplishment serves as a testament to the strength of our community. Together, we are building a foundation for a more inclusive, compassionate, and supportive Idaho.
We express our deepest appreciation for the unwavering support of our community, partners, and stakeholders. Your belief in our mission propels us forward, and we are eager to embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Together, we will continue to make a lasting impact on the families of those we serve. Thank you for being an integral part of the Idaho Parents Unlimited family.
Phone:
208-342-5884
Website:
ipulidaho.org
Email:
parents@ipulidaho.org
Office Address:
4619 W Emerald St, Ste. E
Boise, ID 8376
