Parents/Families of a Child with a Disability

How to Search this Site

1. You can use the Google Search box (which only searches within the CDE) at the top right side of the webpage and type in what you are looking for.
   
2. You can use our Topic Index (Alpha Index) - alphabetical list for the Office of Special Education.

Frequently Asked Questions

View a list of Frequently Asked Questions: A Guide for Parents and Family Members of Students on IEPs.

ChildFind and Preschool Special Education

Every school district or Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) has professionals trained to evaluate young children’s development. This service is referred to as Child Find.  The purpose of the child find process is to determine whether a child has a need for early intervention or special education services.

• ChildFind

Has your child been identified as having a Disability?

Fourteen disabilities have been identified under ECEA.  The Disabilities webpage has links to each of the 14 identified disabilities (with more information about that disability) and the appropriate state office contacts.

• Disability Categories

Does your child have an IEP (Individualized Education Program)?

The IEP Link has both forms and resources

• Main IEP Page
• IEP Forms
• IEP Resources

Does your child need related services?

The term "related services" means transportation, and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as may be required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education, and includes the early identification and assessment of disabling condition in children.

• Related Services

Dispute Resolution

Find information on dispute resolution options available to parents and school districts regarding disputes during the Special Education process.

• Dispute Resolution

Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP)

Parents Encouraging Parents

Family-centered conferences designed to offer support, information, and education to parents with children who have a disability, ages birth to 21 years, and professionals.

Looking for a Conference or Training?

• Calendar: PEAK Parent Center [Exiting CDE Website]
  Browse this statewide online calendar of events for families and educators of children and youth with disabilities.
• Special Education Legal Conference - Provides special education legal trends/updates both nationally and those specific to Colorado. TBD

Colorado Special Advisory Committees

• Colorado Special Education Advisory Committee (CSEAC) - A mandated state-level committee with members interested in the quality of education received by children/youth with disabilities.
• Colorado Inter-Agency Coordinating Council - (Exiting CDE Website)
  A federally mandated, governor-appointed council to advise and assist implementation of Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• State Advisory Council for Parent Involvement in Education (SACPIE) - A state council reviewing best practices recommending strategies for increased parent involvement in public education, for the purpose of improving education and raising students' academic achievement levels.

Parent and Family Support List / Lista de apoyo para padres y familias

• Agency List for Families of Students with Disabilities
• Una lista de agencias para cualquier persona que busque apoyo y recursos para personal con discapacidades

Supporting Displaced Students

Homelessness and Natural Disasters (such as fires, floods, etc.)

• Supporting Displaced Special Education Students Fact Sheet

Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities

The Resources for Families of Students with Disabilities page provides access to resources for families and caregivers of children with disabilities, as they support their children.

Peak Parent Center [Exiting CDE]

Thrive [Exiting CDE]

Disability Law Colorado [Exiting CDE]