Succeeding in School and Life Program
Succeeding in School and Life: A Parent Empowerment Program
Our Purpose
The Arc Pikes Peak Region Succeeding in School and Life: A Parent Empowerment Program’s primary focus is to empower parents of students with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities to become their child’s primary educator and advocate. However, our program works with parents whose children are at any level of support need. This includes children with mild to moderate to significant needs, or those who receive accommodations through a 504 Plan or services through an Individual Education Plan (IEP). We work with families whose children are from preschool age to those participating in district Transition programming. We work with families whose children attend public schools, charter schools, or who are home-schooled. At no cost, our program provides Navigation services which includes parent/caregiver instructional strategies, coaching, and learning materials as needed.
What Are Navigation Services?
Navigation Services are parent support services provided to empower and further parents’ educational and social goals for their children. Ultimately, students themselves will become empowered through the Navigation process. Navigation services look different for every family because they are so highly individualized. Navigation takes a variety of forms, depending on the needs of the parent and the student. For example, Navigation could provide parent coaching, or Navigation could be directly modeling educational strategies for a parent by an Educational Navigator. Navigation could be done within the home, at an Arc facility, or in the community. Navigation could also be conducted virtually if a child is immunocompromised. When needed, Navigators provide families with supplemental materials to support the educational goals the parent has for their child. There is no cost to our program or to our Navigation services. Each of our Educational Navigators brings their own unique background, training, and areas of expertise to their navigator role, so we are sure to match your needs and goals with a Navigator that will be a good fit for you and your child.
Navigator Robert during a navigation session
Family Support/Social Programming
In addition to Navigation services, which are highly individualized and based on family and student needs, we also offer family educational and social programming. A major component to building connections starts with establishing an extended “family network.” This process takes place through our Monthly Family Socials where families come together, share a meal, listen to a guest speaker on a topic of interest, and/or engage in a fun family activity. We also offer monthly family music classes for families to connect, engage, and explore how the power of rhythm and music positively impacts brain development.
November 2023 Family Social
Teen enjoying Music and Rhythm Class
Music and Rhythm Class Fun!
School and Life Teen Social Programs:
We offer opportunities for connection and learning through social programming to support students’ overall wellness. We understand that learning is not isolated from social development. Our connections with others are critical in successfully navigating unfamiliar situations and applying newly acquired skills. Through our unique social programs geared to specific age groups, we are empowering young people with varying abilities to build the skills they need for positive social experiences to carry them throughout their lives.
Our teen-to-transition-age social programs are designed to build leadership, self-advocacy, self-confidence, and healthy habits for self-care in youth with varying abilities. Through fun activities, our program provides the opportunity to make authentic social connections among peers while exposing them to new concepts through guest speakers, small group discussions, and experiences that will support learning and growth while having fun!
Our program weaves in topics, discussions, and themes that youth with varying abilities encounter in less structured environments outside of the home. Our goal is to help this age group learn the language of self-advocacy as they develop the social confidence to effectively navigate various situations and develop leadership skills to positively impact their community.
Blooming Friendships Girls Night Out!
Teen Guys Improv Night
Teen Girls Spa Night
Parent Empowerment and Education Opportunities
While parent empowerment is at the focus of everything we do, we additionally offer group learning opportunities such as parent support groups and parent workshops on topics of interest. Parent development, connection, and education are vital to empowering parents with the knowledge and skills they need to be their child’s first and best lifelong advocate.
Our program offers many learning opportunities throughout the year on various topics that meet parents’ needs or requests. Come join us in learning, growing, laughing, and sharing your journey with others who will understand your perspective and who will be able to identify with your challenges. All parent development and learning opportunities are free, and Spanish translation and/or other accommodations are available by request at registration for each event. Come be a part of our growing parent community!
Spanish Parent Empowerment Through Art
Sensory Workshop Series
Spanish Parent Empowerment Workshop
All of our programs and opportunities are free of charge. We are excited to connect with you to see if the Succeeding in School and Life Program would be a good fit for your family! Please click the “Register” button above or below to get started.
“When I saw the form to apply for the School and Life Program it seem like the program was designed for us. From the first interaction with our Educational Navigator, we felt heard and Jonatan was so comfortable with her. During this 5 months, we have been able to evaluate how much reading he can actually do, how everything we have been working on is adding up.
Having an educational professional to validate and guide us in our teaching techniques, approaches, educational resources and brainstorm plans to move forwards, has been of great value. Every meeting we discover something about Jonatans learning style, brainstorm ideas, and evaluate his progress. Thanks to this educational support program, we now have software and equipment to work with Jonatan in a more efficient way; we now feel more reassured and not so much doubtful about his education outcome.”
Subscribe To Our Newsletter and SMS Reminders
The best way to ensure that you receive our newsletter, our event invitations, SMS reminders and other important information is to become a member of The Arc of the Pikes Peak Region.
The best way to ensure that you receive our newsletter, our event invitations, and other important information is to become a member of The Arc of the Pikes Peak Region.
