Parent to Parent

Island County Parent to Parent provides resources, information, system navigation, education and support to families that have a child/adult with disabilities, delays or complex special healthcare needs.

Below are upcoming events and a variety of resource guides, including on Autism, Ages & Stages, Adulthood Transition and Behavioral Health. Parent to Parent provides support and resources to families that care for a child or adult with disabilities and/or special healthcare needs. For up-to-date information on resources, events and more, "Like" our Facebook Page  

Want to be added to our monthly newsletter distribution list? We offer U.S. mail and email versions. Contact information below. Send your information, so we can add you to the list. We send out only one, possibly two emails per month. 

Perhaps you would like  a Family Resource Toolkit Kit filled with our resource guide, monthly newsletter, information about Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), events and more. Please provide your mailing address. 

For more information, call or text Tiffany Wheeler-Thompson, Island County Parent to Parent coordinator, at 360-632-7539, or email, call or text Spanish Outreach Coordinator Laiza Ramos at 787-529-6788.

Upcoming Fall & Winter Events

  • Movie Fun: Family Movie  Island County Parent to Parent Facebook Tuesday, Dec. 19 at Oak Harbor Theater. Sensory friendly. Watch a movie with others that will understand if your kiddo/adult doesn't sit still, makes some noises, etc. We will be seeing the second screening of the family movie offered that day, usually around 4 PM. Movie titles are not yet released.  
  •  Holiday Party with Santa Claus at Coupeville Rec Hall  5-7 PM Dec. 20. Come one, come all. Celebrate the holidays with other special-needs families in Island County. Free event, potluck, arts and crafts and, of course, Santa. Santa will be making an appearance at approximately 5:30 PM.
  • Bowling Fun with the Family  RSVP Required  Great fun for all ages and all abilities. $7.50 for 90 minutes of bowling and shoe rental. Visit EventBrite for tickets and information.

All events are for all ages and abilities, unless otherwise stated.  All events are subject to change/cancelation, especially outdoor events. Follow the Island County Parent-to-Parent Facebook Page for up-to-date information.

Special Education: Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)   

  • The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that entitles children to special education services if disability significantly impacts access to education and a specially designed program is needed.
  • IDEA has been federal law since 1990, and key concepts are from the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, passed in 1975. 
  • A primary principle of the IDEA is the right to Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for students eligible for special education services. FAPE rights are also protected by Civil Rights laws, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. 

Read the complete article on the Individual with Disabilities Act here.

Island County School District Special Education Ages 3-21

Special Education Resources

US Department of Education: Office of Special Education Programs 800-872-5327
The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. 

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Act of 2004 (IDEA) authorizes formula grants to states and discretionary grants to institutions of higher  education and other non-profit organizations to support research, demonstrations, technical assistance and dissemination, technology and personnel development and parent-training and information centers.

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction – Special Education 360-725-6075. Special Education serves approximately 143,000 eligible students in Washington state. We are here to fulfill the requirements of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which ensures that all children with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate public education.                     

Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombudsman 866-297-2597. Email to OEOinfo@gov.wa.gov The role of the Office of the Education Ombudsman is to:

  • Listen to concerns and perspectives  
  • Advocate for consumer access to fair processes.
  • Ensure focus is on positive student outcomes  
  • Resolve complaints through alternative dispute resolution techniques   
  • Collect data, identify trends, and report recommendations to policymakers and elected officials to improve educational access and outcomes for students

Special Education Support and Resources 360-725-6075.

Washington PAVE – Partnership for Action. Voices for Empowerment 800-5-PARENT. PAVE is a parent-directed organization that works with families, individuals with disabilities, professionals and community members in all walks of life and with all types of disabilities. Since 1979, PAVE has provided information, training and support for over a million individuals with disabilities, parents and professionals email pave@wapave.org 

Washington Autism Alliance and Advocacy 425-894-7231. WAAA provides access to a support network of families of children on the spectrum who help find providers and school services, as well as personal support. A free online Resource Directory includes statewide autism services of all types with personal recommendations from member families.

Wright’s Law email to webmaster@wrightslaw.com. Information about special education law, education law and advocacy for children with disabilities.

Special Education Technology Center 509-963-3350. Assists with special technology needs of special education students.

Island County Disability Resource Guides

If you would like a hard copy, text or email with your address

  1. 2023 Disability Resource Guide-Print Friendly.pdf
  2. 2023 Disability Resource Guide Spanish.pdf
  3. 2023 Autism Spectrum Disorder Resource Guide.pdf
  1. 2023 Autism Spectrum Disorder Resource Guide Spanish.pdf
  2. 2023 Behavioral Health Resource Guide.pdf
  3. 2023 Transition In Depth.pdf

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Resources                                            Island County Autism Resources for Families website www.pilotace.org

  1. Autism Spectrum Disorder Resource Guide.pdf
  2. Autism Spectrum Disorder Resource Guide Spanish.pdf
  3. Autism Resources for Adults.pdf
  1. Autism Resources for Families Flyer,pdf
  2. ASD Diagnostic Adult Resources.pdf

Ages & Stages Resources

How can Parent to Parent help? We can guide you to community resources, support in a variety of different ways, help with navigating systems, and connections with other families with special needs. All ages, stages and abilities. We may not be therapy, but we sure are therapeutic. We will share knowledge and resources and provide support and guidance. Or, sometimes, you may just want to chat and meet others in our community that is on a similar journey.

  1. Birth to Three.pdf
  2. Three to Six.pdf
  3. Six to Fourteen.pdf
  1. Fourteen to Twenty One.pdf
  2. Twenty One-Adulthood.pdf
  3. Transition From School Age to Adulthood In Depth.pdf

Washington State Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)

Application forms, facts, waivers and more.

  1. DDA Application Consent.pdf
  2. DDA Application Eligibility Determination.pdf
  3. DDA Community Choice Waiver.pdf
  4. DDA Eligibility FlowChart.pdf
  5. DDA Fact Sheets 2021.pdf
  1. DDA Individual and Family Service Waiver.pdf
  2. DDA Letter of Introduction.pdf
  3. DDA Voter Registration.pdf
  4. DDA Why to Apply.pdf

Help With Insurance

Information on healthcare insurance options: Washington State Health Care Authority/ Apple Health (800)562-3022

  1. Understanding Your Medical Insurance.pdf