Island County Parent to Parent

09/01/2026

Through my eyes….

09/01/2026

Join us Saturday for our Sensory Friendly Movie at Oak Harbor Cinemas at 2:00pm. $8 per person. Looks like it gets good reviews.

This movie might actually be worth the ticket price.

Photo: Ketchup Entertainment

09/01/2026

I couldn’t say Down syndrome for 6 months after my daughter was born without crying. Part of it was postpartum depression. I had to grieve the daughter I thought I was having, but be grateful for the daughter I had.

Grieving your child's disability diagnosis is complex and often shamed. I've been all over the place with my own grief, and here's what I've learned. It's ok.

09/01/2026

South Whidbey Schools Start on Tuesday, September 8th. School buses will be back on the road. For everyone's safety, please know when to stop! As students return to school, please remember that school bus safety is everyone’s responsibility. During a 2026 one-day survey, Washington school bus drivers reported 960 illegal passes, a number that could exceed 172,000 violations over a 180-day school year if repeated daily. When a school bus has its flashing red lights and stop sign activated, drivers traveling in the same direction must stop, and on two-lane roads, drivers in both directions must stop. Passing a stopped school bus carries a mandatory $500 fine in Washington. Please slow down, stay alert, and watch carefully for children getting on and off buses. When in doubt, stop!

09/01/2026

I feel this…I hope you feel this from us.

I mean that with my whole chest.

08/31/2026

Parent to Parent is safe, for now. Thank you to all that helped make it known that P2P is a vital part of your journey.

Washington state officials are keeping a longstanding program seen as vital to parents of children with developmental disabilities, but cutting its funding, ending weeks of unease about its future.

The state Department of Social and Health Services is trimming the Parent to Parent program by 10%, but won’t eliminate it as was feared this summer. Its budget for the next year is around $877,000.

Photo Credit: FLICKR PHOTO/AMISHROBOT

Full Story in Comments

08/31/2026

Hot off the presses. Get your copy of our September Newsletter. Workshops with a variety of topics start October 1st. Plus a Resource Panel to kick things off September 24th. Our fall and winter events, Halloween Dance Party and Holiday Party with Santa has been added. Back to school anxiety plus school refusal resources. New guardianship toolkit, Helping Parent Training, and more. If you would like to be added to our email or snail mail list, send us a message.

08/31/2026

What Parents Need to Know when Disability Impacts Behavior and Discipline at School
Behavior is a form of communication. When a student struggles with behavior at school, it may be a sign that they need additional support, services, accommodations, or instruction. For students with disabilities, schools must look beyond discipline and consider what will help the student participate meaningfully in school. Repeated requests for early pickup, shortened school days, suspensions, or other lost instructional time can be signs that a different approach is needed to keep the student engaged in learning and making progress at school.

A Brief Overview
Behavior support can be part of a student’s right to Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).
Schools must consider a student’s disability-related needs when behavior affects learning.
Repeated requests for early pickup, shortened school days, suspensions, or other lost instructional time can be signs that a different approach is needed to keep a student engaged in learning and making progress at school.
Families can request evaluations, school meetings, and the development or revision of behavioral supports.
Students continue to have educational rights during disciplinary removals.
Families have the right to ask questions, request records, and seek review or appeal when they disagree with discipline decisions.

A Brief Overview Students with disabilities are disciplined twice as often as non-disabled peers. Washington is taking actions to remedy the inequities. Read on for examples of the new state rules and where to go for more information. Schools are required to provide education and support before reso...

08/31/2026

Special Needs Financial Planning
Monday, September 21, 2026, 7:00pm- 8:00pm
Mary McDirmid will be joining The Arc of King County for an amazing, informative session regarding financial planning for your loved one with IDD.
Mary takes a holistic approach to planning by considering the needs of your entire family. RSVP below and take advantage of the information and knowledge Mary brings to this presentation.
This virtual session is for families with loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/XogLZoaKSBq5wSHQ-l8PJQ #/registration

08/31/2026

Calling all dads, granddads, uncles, males helping raise and support those with disabilities

Calling all dads, grandfathers, and male caregivers!

Caring for a child with disabilities or special healthcare needs brings unique challenges—and having a community of peers who truly get it makes all the difference. Your perspective, voice, and leadership are vital to our peer support network.

Join Parent to Parent USA for the virtual 2026 Support Parent Summit to connect with fellow Support Parents nationwide, sharpen your peer mentoring skills, and help ensure no family walks this journey alone.
Parent to Parent USA

Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Parent to Parent USA

Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET
Parent to Parent USA

Where: Virtual via Zoom
Parent to Parent USA

Register: https://www.p2pusa.org/event/2026-support-parent-summit/

Tag a dad or male caregiver who makes an impact in your community, and reserve your spot today!