ABOUT PEN
The Parent Education Network, Wyoming State PIRC, is the Parent Information and Resource Center (PIRC) under No Child Left Behind. Funded by a discretionary grant under the US Department of Education, Office of Innovation and Improvement, Parent Choice and Options, PEN is one of 64 PIRC’s in every state across the nation.
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PEN is a project of Parents Helping Parents of Wyoming, Inc a statewide non-profit parent organization since 1990. First funded in 1998 as one of the Goals 2000 Parental Assistance Program, PEN’s purpose as Wyoming’ State PIRC offer learning strategies to parents, technical assistance to schools and families to boost parental engagement, both of which ultimately increase student success.
Our Beliefs
- All parents have dreams for their children and want the best for them.
- All parents have the capacity to support their children’s learning.
- Parents and school staff should be equal partners.
- All parental engagement must be linked to learning.
- The responsibility for building partnerships between school and home rests primarily with school staff, especially school leaders.
*Adapted from Anne Henderson, Karen Mapp, Vivian Johnson & Don Davies
Our Partners
Parent Information Center, (PIC), is a statewide parent center for families of children with disabilities. PIC provides information, support and referrals to families on their rights and responsibilities under the special education law IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. With PEN, PIC helps families of children with disabilities to understand the accountability and assessment systems of No Child Left Behind, and how they align with special education supports and services to increase students with disabilities potential and achievement. PIC offers workshops and trainings to families and educators on IDEA, IEPs, Positive Behavior Interventions, and other related topics as well as specific disabilities such as Autism, Sensory disorders, Down Syndrome, Attention disorders and more.
Wyoming Afterschool Alliance, (WYAA) is a statewide organization created to support and promote quality school-based and school-linked afterschool environments and programs focused upon improving positive outcomes for youth and families. The WYAA is developing a continuum of services and resources for youth, aged birth to young adult, by creating a system of strategies and key partnerships based on "like-minded" goals. Working with PEN, WYAA will provide ideas and strategies on intentional activities to afterschool programs across Wyoming on how to increase meaningful parent engagement with links to learning to increase student achievement.
About PHP
Parents Helping Parents of Wyoming, Inc is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1990. Governed by a board of directors, the majority who are parents or family members of children with disabilities, PHP 's mission is to provide a means of communication, cooperation, and education to parents and professionals who wish to serve and support children with and without disabilities. We aim to help families become more active in their children's learning and education, and obtain better programs and services through education, support, and referral.
