Resources & On-Demand Webinars

a computer and a cup of coffee

IPUL's On-Demand Webinars

These are archived copies of training videos produced by Idaho Parents Unlimited as our monthly training series that are typically done on the second Wednesday of each month.

2023 On-Demand Webinars

March 2023
Understanding the YES Program

On March 14 we held our monthly statewide training with special guest Michelle Batten from FYI Idaho - Understanding the YES Program. We covered the various types of supports the program provides, as well as how to access it, and held a Q & A session following the main training.

February 2023
Parents as Paid Caregivers and Power of a Personal Story Special Event

On March 1 we hosted a joint zoom/facebook live discussion and training regarding the ending of the Parents as Paid Caregivers execption, with information on what you can do to work towards keeping it. This is hosted on our Facebook, which is where this link will take you.

Here's a link to the Padlet we created with the documents
Here's a link to the videos discussed in the event shared on Powerindepenednetliving.org
Here's a link to a Google drive with Federal and State contacts

Working on a permanent 1915(c) paid family caregiver waiver program through CMS is the long term goal. Section 1135 Waivers have provided these allowances during the pandemic. Section 1135, allowed homecare agencies to hire parents and spouses of individuals with disabilities as caregivers for their loved ones under Home & Community Based Services (HCBS).

Parents are encouraged to share their stories of how this program has impacted their lives and how removal could be catastrophic in some cases, without providers to step in. Letters can be either sent by you to legislators, or we at IPUL will be accumulating them as well. Sample letters and tips on how to write letters of support, can be found on the Padlet and Google drive links posted above. If you would like us to send your letter, please email those to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

February 2023
Developing Strength-Based IEP's

This On-Demand Webinar was recorded live, and has had both English and Spanish captions professionally added

2022 On-Demand Webinars

2022 - December
The Dispute Resolution Process for Special Education Services

This On-Demand Webinar was recorded specifically for this and has had both English and Spanish captions professionally added

2022 - September Part 1
Survival Guide to your IEP Meeting

This On-Demand Webinar was recorded specifically for this and has had both English and Spanish captions professionally added

2022 - September Part 2
Understanding the IEP: Reading the Actual Document

This was recorded in July, 2021 and has had both English and Spanish subtitles professionally added.

2022 - August 2022
Back to School Basics

This On-Demand Webinar was recorded specifically for this and has both English and Spanish captions professionally added

2022 - June 2022
The Power of Positive Partnerships

This On-Demand Webinar was recorded live and has both English and Spanish captions professionally added

2022 - March 2022
Steps To Independent Living - ON DEMAND WEBINAR!

This On-Demand Webinar has been recorded specifically for this purpose, and has both English and Spanish captions professionally added

2022 - February 2022
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports - ON DEMAND WEBINAR!

This On-Demand Webinar has been recorded specifically for this purpose, and has both English and Spanish captions professionally added

This year sees a change in format - The Video from January was the last one to be recorded and reposted, going forward the Monthly trainings will still be live but not recorded, and instead we will be doing a specific video just for the website.

2022 - January 2022
Start the New Year Organized

This was recorded in January 2021, and has both English and Spanish subtitles professionally added

2021

2021 - December 15, 2021
Dispute Resolution Services for Special Education in Idaho

This was recorded in December, 2021 and has both English and Spanish subtitles professionally added

2021 - November 17, 2021
ABC's of Katie Beckett and the Children's DD Program

This was recorded in November 2021, and has both English and Spanish subtitles professionally added.

2021 - October 13, 2021
Self-Advocacy for Youth: Creating Positive Change

This was recorded in October 2021 and has both English and Spanish subtitles professionally added.

2021 - September 8, 2021
Understanding Idaho Medicaid Services

This was recorded in September 2021 and has both English and Spanish subtitles professionally added.

2021 - August 18, 2021
Back To School: What Families Need to Know

This was recorded in August 2021 and has both English and Spanish subtitles professionally added

2021 - July 14, 2021
Understanding the IEP: Reading the Actual Document

This was recorded in July 2021 and has both English and Spanish subtitles professionally added.

2021 - June 22, 2021
Lunch and Learn: What is a Center for Independent Living?

This link opens on Facebook

2021 - June 9, 2021
Life After 18

This was recorded in June 2021 and has both English and Spanish subtitles professionally added.

2021 - May 26, 2021
Lunch and Learn: Oral Health discussion with Stephanie Walters

This link opens on Facebook

2021 - May: Planning a Healthy Transition to Adulthood

This recording had a technical issue that rendered it unusable

2021 - April 14, 2021
Developing a Strengths-Based IEP

This was recorded in April 2021 and has both English and Spanish subtitles professionally added.

2021 - March 10, 2021
Getting and Keeping the First Job

This was recorded in March 2021 and has both English and Spanish subtitles professionally added.

2021 - February 10, 2021
Understanding IDEA Rights and Responsibilities - with special guest Jeff Brandt, Idaho State Department of Education

This was recorded in February 2021 and has both English and Spanish subtitles professionally added.

There were sound quality issues, and we strongly reccomend using the subtitles for this recording.

2021 - January 13, 2021
Start the New Year Organized

This was recorded in January 2021 and has both English and Spanish subtitles professionally added.

2020

2020 - November (The Power of a Personal Story)

2020 - October (Online Safety)

2020 - September (Understanding Idaho Medicaid)

2020 - August (Strategies For a Successful Start to School)

2020 - July (IPUL, DRI, and SDE Back to School Special Education Conversation)

2020 - June (Ask an Expert - Service Dogs in Idaho With Cheryl Bloom)

2020 - May (No Webinar for this month)

2020 - April (Planning for a Healthy Transition to Adulthood)

2020 - March (Getting and Keeping the First Job)

2020 - February (Understanding Idaho Medicaid and Navigating Systems)

2020 - January (The Power of a Personal Story)

2019

IPUL Productions (Not part of the monthly training series)

Videos IPUL Participated In

IPUL Scholarships

Parent Scholarship Form - for event attendence.

Idaho Parents Unlimited is happy to make scholarships available to parents who wish to attend conferences or events that may be relevant to your child's disability. Payment is in the form of a reimbursement after the event has occured.

About this process

Dear Parent Scholarship Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in participating in our Parent Scholarship Program.

Please complete the application online. Please also include a copy of your completed registration to the event you are attending, as well as a brochure or agenda describing the event. You must request funds at least 30 days prior to the event you hope to attend. Please note that scholarships are reimbursements only. We cannot forward scholarship funds prior to an event.

In addition to the application and other prior approval documents, you must also complete a report form that you will need to submit after the event. You can view this form here: Reviewing this form in advance will help you understand the “sharing” component of this scholarship program and assist you in formulating your plan to fulfill this requirement. In order for us to fulfill our grant requirements for the scholarship program, we must collect and report information regarding how parents have shared the information they have gained with others. You will need to submit your final report within 30 days of attending your event and reimbursement can take up to 30 days following our receipt of this form.

An Idaho Parents Unlimited representative must speak with you by telephone once we receive all your information to verify all actual costs and application components and also to be sure you are asking for a qualifying activity in order for us to proceed with the final approval of your application.

Please feel free to call if you have any questions.

Sincere best wishes,
Angela Lindig
Executive Director
Idaho Parents Unlimited

Govermental Resources

Federal .gov Websites

National Council on Disability Resources Page
US Department of Labor Disability Topics Page
US Department of Labor Disability Resources Page
US Department of Education IDEA Page
USA.Gov Disability Services Page
Health and Human Services - Programs for People with Disabilities
ADA.Gov - Information and Technical Assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act
US Department of Education - Office of Special Education Programs
Health Resource Services Administration
National Family Voices

Idaho .gov Websites

State of Idaho Disability Page
Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities
Idaho Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Infant Toddler Program
Idaho Department of Labor Disability Determination Information Page
Idaho State Department of Education
Idaho State Department of Education - Special Education
State Independent Living Council
Idaho Sound Beginnings Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Idaho Commission on Aging - Aging and Disability Resource Center
Idaho Commission on the Arts
Idaho National Guard Family Programs
Idaho Medicaid Health Plan Booklet (English and Spanish)

Organizations

National Organizations

Center for Parent Information and Resources
PACER center
American Association on Health and Disability Resource Center Page
Western States Regional Genetics Network

United for ALICE - information regarding people who are living asset limited, income constrained, employed

Statewide Organizations:

Find Help Idaho - A tool for locating financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost help.

Idaho Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
DisAbility Rights Idaho
Idaho Assistive Technology Project
Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc.
Wrightslaw Idaho Yellow Pages For Kids
Idaho Training Clearinghouse
Libraries Linking Idaho
Idaho Caregiver Alliance

IPUL's Community Partners

Idaho Parents Unlimited's Community Partners:

US Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs
Health Resource Services Administration
National Family Voices
Idaho Caregiver Alliance
Idaho Commission on the Arts
Idaho State Department of Education
Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (Divisions of: Medicaid, Behavioral Health, Family and Community Services, The Idaho Infant Toddler Coordinating Council, The Regional Early Childhood Committees, Title V - Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Children's Mental Health)
Idaho Council of Developmental Disabilities
I daho Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
State Independent Living Council
Idaho State Rehabilitation Council
Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Idaho Assistive Technology Project
Disability Rights Idaho
Western States Genetics Services Network
Centers for Independent Living:
    LIFE
    LINC
    DAC-NW
Act Early Idaho

IPUL Publications

Guide to Transition Wheels
These transition wheels are designed to give you useful information on what you should be focusing on at different stages of your child's growth. It helps to lay out milestones and goals for the Transition to Adulthood. We have one for School, Career, and Health and one for Life Skills and Family.

To obtain a copy of our transition wheels contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or fill out the general (non-support) Question form at the bottom of any page of our website.

Parent Support Groups

List of Support Groups
Submit Your Support Group

List of Support Groups

Support Group List

We've split the listing up by the locations served - Local areas first, then Statewide, and National - and in cases where a group is national and has a statewide presence, we've combined that information in the statewide listing.

Local Area Support Groups

Neurodivergent Social Gathering

Group Name:	Neurodivergent Social Gathering
Serves:	Boise Area
For:	18-25 year olds.
Offers:	We meet weekly on Wednesdays at Smoky Mountain Pizza on Parkcenter Blvd. We eat pizza, have time for connection and then engage in an activity such as bingo, chess, board games, trivia, etc. Please make sure to RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as we have discussed going bowling or other activities in the future. Donation of $10 to the non-profit Tools for the Trail to cover cost of food and supplies.
Meets at:	Weekly on Wednesdays at Smoky Mountain Pizza on Parkcenter Blvd. 415 East Parkcenter Blvd. Boise, Idaho 83706 5-630 PM
Contact (Phone, Email)	208-203-2781 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Moms Like Us

Group Name:	Moms Like Us - Inland Northwest
Serves:	Inland Northwest
For:	Moms Like Us is dedicated to the Support, Education, and Advocacy of families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs.
Meets at:	Online
Website: (Facebook)	https://www.facebook.com/groups/477532812420922

Wholehearted Living Guideposts

Group Name:	Wholehearted Living Guideposts
Serves:	Boise Area
For:	Women - Wholehearted Living Guideposts is a place for women to get together to work on letting go of perfectionism, comparison, the need for certainty, self doubt and other barriers to living fully.
Meets at:	in person - 161 E Mallard Dr Ste 100 Boise, ID 83706 Wednesdays 5:30-6:30
Contact: (Phone and Email)	208-209-2781 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Frazzled Mothers of Southeast Idaho

Group Name:	Frazzled Mothers of Southeast Idaho (Disability Support Group)
Serves:	Southeast Idaho
For:	A group of mothers from Southeast Idaho that have children with special needs
Meets at:	Online
Website: (Facebook)	https://www.facebook.com/groups/796698450427294

Secular Home Schoolers of the Treasure Valley

Group Name:	Secular Home Schoolers of the Treasure Valley
Serves:	Treasure Valley
For:	Must be a parent living in, or considering a move to, the Treasure Valley area. who is homeschooling their child(ren) using secular curriculum.
Offering:	A warm, and welcoming group for parents who are homeschooling their children. While not 100% related to special needs, you will find that there are many parents, the group creator included, who are homeschooling because the public school system is not set up to meet the unique challenges of our special needs children. Homeschooling can be a wonderful way to help your children thrive in a world that may not be set up to help them do so. Let us help you navigate the challenges you may face as you get started (or continue!) on your homeschooling journey.
Meets at:	Various Parks, Libraries, and other Meetups.
Website:	https://m.facebook.com/groups/533214910172175?ref=bookmarks

Treasure Valley/Idaho Special Needs Parents

Group Name:	Treasure Valley/Idaho Special Needs Parents
Serves:	Statewide in Idaho
Offering:	Offering support for Parents or Legal Guardians of special needs indidviduals
Meets at:	Online
Website:	https://www.facebook.com/groups/469468136555328/

Autism Friends of Bingham

Group Name:	Autism Friends of Bingham
Serves:	Bingham, Idaho and surrounding areas.
For:	Serving people with an immediate family connection with persons with Autism/SPD/Developmental Delays
Offering:	We offer: A local Parent Support Group with Certified Child Care A Tween/Teen Boardgame social skills group Mom’s Coffee Talk & Family Fun Events (usually small fee or free) for entire families! All of this once a month!!
Meets at:	Parent Support Dawn Enterprises 280 Cedar Street, Blackfoot, ID 83221 Second Thursday of every month at 6pm
Facebook Page:	Autism Friends of Bingham
Contact:	Phone: 208-680-0235

Magic Valley Autism Parents

Group Name:	Magic Valley Autism Parents
Serves:	The Magic Valley (South-Central Idaho)
Offering:	We are a new group that is hoping to build a network of support for parents with children on the Autism spectrum. The group is currently sponsored by Aspen Grove Family Therapy.
Meets at:	Aspen Grove Family Therapy at 451 Eastland Drive Suite 7 in Twin Falls. Suite 7 is located in the back of the building and parking is available behind the building. Third Wednesday of every month at 6:30 PM
Facebook Page:	https://www.facebook.com/groups/457071424950766/
Contact:	208-258-7681 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Statewide Support Groups

Special Education Parents Alliance of Idaho

Group Name:	Special Education Parents Alliance of Idaho
Serves:	Statewide
For:	A parent support group for Idaho parents who have children with special needs.
Offering:	We are a place for Idaho parents of children with special needs to share life experiences, including but not limited to the highs and lows of family life, education, and advocacy. Our goal is to create a more cohesive special education community, create parents who are strong advocates for their children, and provide a place for parents to learn from each other through shared experiences. Together we can build a better school, community, and life for all our children.
Meets at:	Online
Website: (Facebook)	https://www.facebook.com/groups/234595829945042

Decoding Dyslexia Support Group

Group Name:	Decoding Dyslexia Support Group
Serves:	Statewide in Idaho
For:	A support group for Idaho residents affected by Dyslexia.
Offering:	Decoding Dyslexia - ID is a grassroots movement driven by Idaho families concerned with increasing access to educational interventions and teacher professional development for dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities within our public schools. We aim to raise dyslexia awareness, empower families to support their children, and inform policy-makers on best practices to identify, remediate, and support students with dyslexia in Idaho public schools.
Meets at:	Via Zoom currently with COVID. The 3rd Thursday of every month, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Website:	https://www.decodingdyslexiaidaho.org/ https://www.facebook.com/DDIdaho/
Contact:	Phone: 303-681-7059 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Idaho Autism Moms

Group Name:	Idaho Autism Moms
Serves:	Statewide in Idaho
For:	For mothers with a child diagnosed with autism or in the process of getting diagnosed, living in Idaho
Offering:	This is a gentle, supportive group for mothers parenting children on the autism spectrum. Disagreements are fine, but must be done in a respectful way. We all come from different backgrounds, lead different lives, and face our own unique challenges. Let's connect, learn, share, and help each other out - it takes a village!
Meets at:	Both in person and Online
Website:	https://m.facebook.com/groups/470774033647226
Contact:	On Facebook, please message an admin to join the group.

Treasure Valley Down Syndrome Association

Group Name:	Treasure Valley Down Syndrome Association
Serves:	Statewide in Idaho
For:	Our age-specific programs let children and adults who have Down syndrome meet peers and connect through social and learning activities. Our family support programs let family members come together to share insight and experiences. We provide support and education through parent meetings, workshops, reading materials, and more.
Website:	idahodownsyndrome.org www.facebook.com/TVDSA
Contact:	Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Phone: 208-954-7448
Meetings:	Posted on TVDSA calendar on idahodownsyndrome.org

Idaho Spina Bifida

Group Name:	Idaho Spina Bifida
Serves:	Statewide in Idaho
For:	Idaho Spina Bifida supports and educates families and individuals in Idaho who are affected by Spina Bifida.
Website:	www.idahospinabifida.org
Contact:	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Idaho Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ISHA)

Group Name:	Idaho Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ISHA)
Serves:	Statewide in Idaho
For:	ISHA is a non-profit professional organization comprised of audiologists and speech language pathologists in the state of Idaho.
Offering:	The mission of ISHA is to empower and advocate for our members and professional communities by providing education and leadership opportunities which foster excellence in services for individuals with communication and related disorders. It's our vision to improve the quality of life for those with communication and related disorders.
Meets at:	Online
Website:	https://www.idahosha.org/
Contact:	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Idaho Hands & Voices

Group Name:	Idaho Hands & Voices
Serves:	Statewide & National
For:	Hands & Voices has been created for children who are deaf and hard of hearing and their families. Idaho Sound Beginnings covers membership fees for families in their first year of membership; thereafter, members pay a $15 annual fee.
Offering:	Idaho Hands & Voices supports families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing without a bias around communication modes or methodology.
Meets at:	Online and In Person
Website:	Idaho: https://www.idhandsandvoices.org/ National: https://www.handsandvoices.org/
Contact:	Idaho: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. National: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Idaho Chapter

Group Name:	Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Idaho Chapter
Serves:	Statewide and National
Offering:	Working globally to ensure that people who are deaf and hard of hearing can hear and talk. We want all families to be informed and supported, professionals to be appropriately qualified to teach and help children with hearing loss, public policy leaders to effectively address the needs of people with hearing loss, and communities to be empowered to help their neighbors with hearing loss succeed.
Meets at:	Both in person and Online
Website:	Idaho: https://www.agbell.org/Connect/Local-Chapters/Idaho National: https://www.agbell.org
Contact:	Idaho: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. National: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

National / International Support Groups

Collaborative Special Education Advocacy

Group Name:	Collaborative Special Education Advocacy
Serves:	Statewide in Idaho
For:	I'm passionate for students with disabilities to have a sense of belonging and appreciated for their gifts. I support parents to advocate for inclusion with valuable 1:1 coaching, a supportive membership group, and virtual and in-person training.
Offering:	A weekly Facebook live show is held on Thursdays at noon Mtn. Time
Meets at:	Both in person and online
Website:	www.facebook.com/VisionsandVoicesTogether
Contact:	Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Phone: 208-340-5874

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

Group Name:	American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Serves:	National
For:	American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Making effective communication, a human right, accessible and achievable for all.
Offering:	ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 204,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students.
Meets at:	Online
Website:	https://www.asha.org
Contact:	800-638-8255 https://www.asha.org/Forms/Contact-ASHA/

Hearing First

Group Name:	Hearing First
Serves:	National
For:	Family members of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing or listening and spoken language professionals
Offering:	Whether you are a family member of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing or an LSL professional, you may be looking to connect with other adults who share your experience. Join a Hearing First Community today and receive helpful resources, access to learning experiences, and support from trusted community members so your child can reach their full potential.
Meets at:	Online
Website:	https://hearingfirst.org/
Contact:	https://hearingfirst.org/en/ContactUs#contact-us

IPUL's Publications

IPUL's Now What? Guide
Building a Bridge - From School to Adult Life for Young Adults with Disabilities in Idaho
Building a Bridge - Spanish Text Only
Idaho Parents Unlimited 4 - Fold Brochure

Boise State Public Radio - Idaho Matters interview with Angela Lindig, Heather Kirk-Skinner, and Amy Nack (January 2, 2019)
Radio Boise - Idaho Speakeasy interview with Angela Lindig (November 30, 2017)

IPUL's e-News Update Past Issues
IPUL's Past Newsletters