The Colorado Department of Education

Offices | Staff Contacts | Colorado.gov

Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP)

The Exceptional Student Leadership Unit and Early Childhood Initiatives Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP) Conferences are family centered conferences designed to offer support, information, and education to parents and professionals.  PEP promotes the partnerships that are essential in supporting and including children with disabilities and their families in all aspects of the school and community.

These conferences are available to persons residing in Colorado who have a child with a disability - ages birth to twenty-one. Administrators, principals, teachers, medical and other service providers interested in the family-professional partnership are invited to participate in a PEP Conference.

The two and one-half day PEP Conference begins Thursday evening, at 5:00 p.m. and continues through Saturday afternoon, until 3:00 p.m.  The Colorado Department of Education pays for all participant meals (excluding Friday evening) and lodging.  Child care and meals for family members are not provided.  With these provisions, we hope to provide the opportunity of the PEP experience to all interested families.

The purpose of this conference is to bring parents and other professionals together, allowing them an opportunity to share ideas, discuss concerns, celebrate successes, and obtain information relating to parenting, educating and supporting a child with a disability.

Activities include:

Large Group Sessions:

  • Parenting a Child with a Disability and Rebuilding Dreams

  • The Law and the Education of Children with Disabilities

  • Early Childhood - Resources and Supports

  • The Individualized Education Program (IEP)

  • Transition IEP

Small Group Sessions: Let’s Talk About...

  • Advocacy

  • Friendships

  • Men Only

  • Questions for Your Doctor

  • Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports

The following information will be helpful to you with respect to attending a PEP Conference.

  • We strongly encourage that both parents participate in the conference.

  • Single parents are encouraged to attend and may bring a support person who will also participate in the conference.

  • This conference is designed to be of greater value to parents/professionals who attend the entire conference.  All topics of discussion flow together from beginning session to the end of the conference.  No one can be accepted on a part-time basis.

  • Dress is casual!

For more information about PEP, please go to PEP's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). (PDF)

On behalf of the PEP Conference Staff, we are looking forward to meeting you at one of the conferences. If you have attended a PEP Conference within the last five years, we ask that you give this information to someone who has not had an opportunity to attend a conference before.

Conference Dates and Locations for the 2010-2011 School Year:

  • October 28-30, 2010 Vail
  • January 20-22, 2011 Fort Collins

***We are in the process of confirming a Spring 2011 PEP Conference date.  Please check back if the above date does not work for you.

To be added to the PEP mailing list please click here and send an email with "add to PEP mailing list" in the subject line.

Application Options

Downloadable PEP Brochure (PDF)

For more information about Parents Encouraging Parents contact:

CDE-ESLU-PEP
1560 Broadway, Suite 1175
Denver, CO 80202
Phone:  (303) 866-6846
Fax:  (303) 866-6767