Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP)

What is PEP?

PEP Is Parents Encouraging Parents!

The Exceptional Student Services Unit at CDE plans conferences throughout the year that are family-centered and designed to offer support, information, and education to parents and professionals. We call these gatherings PEP Conferences!

FAQs About PEP

PEP Conference Information

2019-2020 PEP Conference Dates and Locations

The 2019-2020 PEP Conference dates have not yet been scheduled. Please check back in August 2019 for new information.

2019-2020 PEP Conference Application

Please check back in August 2019 for the new link to apply for a 2019-2020 PEP conference.

General PEP Conference Information

Three PEP Conferences are offered throughout the school year - one in the fall, one in winter and one in the spring. The purpose of these conferences is to bring Colorado parents (might include an adoptive parent(s), grandparent(s) or other relative(s), or a single parent) and professionals together to allow them an opportunity to share ideas, discuss concerns, celebrate success, and obtain information relating to parenting, educating and supporting a child with a disability. PEP and its conferences promote partnerships that are essential in supporting and including children with disabilities and their families in schools and the community.

Each two and one-half day PEP conference begins Thursday evening at 5:00 p.m. and continues through to Saturday afternoon until 3:00 p.m. The CDE pays for lodging for registered participants who live more than 35 miles from the conference venue. Meals are provided as well: Thursday night's dinner; Friday's breakfast and lunch; and Saturday's breakfast and lunch. With lodging and food provided for participants, we hope all interested families will be able to benefit from the PEP experience!

Note: During PEP conferences, no children will be permitted to the sessions or small group rooms. Transportation and childcare are not provided.

Who Should Attend a PEP Conference?

Are you a Colorado parent or guardian who has a child with a disability?
Are you a Colorado administrator, principal, teacher, medical or other service provider who is interested in the family-professional partnership?

We encourage and invite you to participate in a PEP Conference.

Read what past PEP Conference participants have said!

"I was truly inspired with this conference! The amount of information and resources made available to us was so valuable. I could not be more grateful for the opportunity. My daughter will benefit big time!" – Parent
"It is probably the best educational conference I’ve been to because of the content and participants. I think administrators should be encouraged to attend!" – School Professional

More Information about PEP

Joyce Thiessen-Barrett
Family and School Partnering
Phone: 303-866-6757
Email Joyce Thiessen-Barrett

David Ramer, Program Support Assistant
1560 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-866-6943, Fax: 303-866-6767
Email David Ramer

Help us spread the word! Share this information with neighbors and families at your local schools and in your community!

Add me to the PEP Mailing List

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