Special Education Organizations and Partnerships

Parent Consultants

The Utah Parent Center (UPC) provides Parent Consultants to provide parents of students with disabilities and/or students with disabilities the information, training, and skills to become an informed and effective partner with school personnel in supporting the individualized leaders of special education by providing relevant services that guide positive systemic change and results thereby ensuring students with disabilities will live, learn, work and participate in their communities.

Service Providers

Esperanza Reyes, Utah Parent Center, Phone: (801) 272-1051, Extension 253 | Phone: (800) 468-1160, Extension 253.

Contacts Content

Susie Estrada
Family and Community Engagement Specialist
Phone: (385) 295-789 | E-mail

Tabitha Pacheco
Special Education Public Information Officer
Phone: (801) 538-7981 | E-mail



Partnerships

Autism Council of Utah (ACU)
ACU is an independent council working to foster collaboration, communication, and learning among families and agencies. The aim is to promote access to resources and responsible information for individuals of all ages who have, or are affected by autism, or related conditions. They support statewide partnerships to collaborate on special projects, research, and training.

Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) Collaboratives
CCSSO provides supports to state agencies to ensure all students participating in our public education system graduate prepared for college, careers, and life.

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC): Utah
CEC ensures the needs of children and youth with exceptionalities are met in educational legislation, establishes professional standards for the field and develops initiatives to improve special education practice.

National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE)
NASDSE supports state leaders of special education throughout the United States and its territories. NASDSE’s mission and vision is to improve individual and organizational success for state children, youth, and young adults with all disabilities to live included, productive lives as members of the community.

Technical Assistance for Excellence in Special Education (TAESE)
TAESE collaborates with state and local education agencies to improve results for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities.

Utah Developmental Disabilities Council (UDDC)
The UDDC is the state's leading source of critical, innovative, and progressive information, advocacy, leadership and collaboration to enhance the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Utah Education and Telehealth Network (UETN)
UETN connects Utah’s K-12 schools, technical colleges, institutions of higher education and public libraries, as well as patients and healthcare providers throughout the state. UETN provides robust infrastructure, applications, and support for education and healthcare.

Utah Parent Center (UPC) Upcoming Events
The UPC helps parents help their learning and behavioral needs of students with disabilities. Parent consultant services are designed to encourage and assist parents to improve communication and collaboration with schools in support of dispute resolution. Parent consultant Services are available at no cost to the family.

Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (USDB)
USDB serves as a resource to the educational programs, age birth to 21 years of age, in the state of Utah. USDB provides direct and indirect, high quality, educational services and consultations to children with hearing and/or vision impairments as well as to their families and service providers.

Utah State Instructional Materials Access Center (USIMAC)
USIMAC provides assistance to local education agencies in meeting the accessible instructional materials requirements of the IDEA. The USIMAC offers the opportunity for students with print disabilities to gain increased access to the general curriculum by making core instructional material accessible in alternate formats.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
VR supports individuals with disabilities in obtaining competitive, integrated employment through professional vocational counseling and guidance, and through partnerships with employers, school districts, higher education and other agencies. VR also serves Utah businesses by offering training on hiring individuals with disabilities and workplace accommodations.

Utah Special Education Advisory Panel (USEAP)

The Utah Special Education Advisory Panel is an advisory panel appointed by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). The purpose of the panel is to provide policy guidance to USBE with respect to special education and related services for students with disabilities in the State of Utah.

Utah Special Education Advisory Panel (USEAP) Membershp 2021-2022

Meetings

USEAP Meetings
YouTube

Schedules

2021-2022 Utah Special Education Advisory Panel (USEAP) Meeting Schedule

Utah Special Education Advisory Panel (USEAP) Public Participation Procedures

Note: Individuals from the public wishing to address the USEAP can contact Leah Voorhies to be included in a meeting agenda.

Member Information

Utah State Board of Education Policies
Utah State Board of Education Policy, Law and Professional Practices 

Training

Disability Awareness A Primer on People First Language Addressing Individuals with Disabilities with Respect

Part B and Part C Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Indicators Annual Performance Report

Primer on Special Education: An Educator, Parent, and Panel Member Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Definitions

Robert's Rules of Order: Short History of Robert's Rules

Special Education Advisory Panel Robert’s Rules of Order Words to Use: Some Basic Common Procedures

Memorandums

July 2020-June 2021

School Reopening Amid the Worldwide Pandemic

Systems Change for Meaningful Inclusion of Students with Disabilities

July 2019-June 2020

Adequate Support Staff - Paraeducators and Related Service Providers

Social Emotional Learning and Students with Disabilities

July 2018-June 2019

Meaningful Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) Parent Involvement, Team Member Involvement, High Expectations for Students with Disabilities

July 2017-June 2018

Teacher Licensure

Youth in Custody

July 2016-June 2017

Diploma Options for Students with Disabilities

Contact Us 

Leah Voorhies
Assistant Superintendent of Student Support
State Director of Special Education
Phone: (801) 538-7898 | E-mail