Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership (PEAL) Center

It is with extremely heavy hearts that the PEAL Center shares the news of the passing of longtime board member and president Paul A. Fogle. “Paul was a passionate advocate, a trusted leader, and a compassionate friend,” said Tanya Manning-Yarde, PhD, current PEAL board member. “His desire to empower people with disabilities, as well as his vision of an inclusive society, guided every decision and interaction he made. His work inspired many, and he approached every challenge with a gentle spirit and fierce determination.” Continue reading: https://lnkd.in/eKrsvWY6

Have you wanted to attend a previous session of PEAL's Family Leadership Institute (FLI) but the dates and times didn't work for you? Consider joining us for the upcoming virtual FLI. The Family Leadership Institute is a multi-session, in-depth training for families to build knowledge and leadership skills related to inclusive special education and health care. Learn more about the FLI and how you can apply to participate at: https://lnkd.in/eZ5-SMie

We're #hiring a new Board Director (Non-Profit) in Pennsylvania. Apply today or share this post with your network.

The PEAL Center and KidsVoice invite you to a virtual session focusing on Special Education for Foster and Kinship Families. The webinar is geared toward all foster families in Pennsylvania trying to navigate the special education system. We hope that you can join us on Wednesday, November 13, at 12:00 PM. Register for the virtual event at: https://lnkd.in/eHPG6_vx

The PEAL Center's Youth Team encourages young adults to make a difference in the community with their upcoming webinar, Civic Participation. Throughout the session, participants will learn about the history of disabilities and civic participation, fair voting laws, rights of youth with disabilities, accessibility barriers and more. Register for the online event at: www.tfaforms.com/5144014

The PEAL Center is hiring a Youth Training and Leadership Coordinator to develop and deliver youth-focused training and leadership activities in Western Pennsylvania, supporting teens, young adults, and families in advocating for their futures. If you're interested in learning more about the position, visit our website for the complete job positing: https://lnkd.in/e54aGXR8

August is flying by, and there are less than three weeks until the application deadline for PEAL's upcoming Family Leadership Institute. If you're considering applying, don't wait! Find all of the information and a link to apply here: https://lnkd.in/eZ5-SMie

The last session of the PEAL Center's Summer Series is next week, August 7, at 12:00 PM. We hope you'll join us to learn about creating a Transition Grid. If this is your first session, you can register at: https://lnkd.in/etf5YhfP

PEAL's first Youth Empowerment Drop-In of the summer is next week! Is your teen/young adult registered? Drop-Is begin on July 24 and take place online every other Wednesday from 6:00-7:00 PM. Register at: https://lnkd.in/eEc9ySyf

Register to join PEAL for Honest Conversations: Safe Relationships & Sexuality online on July 17 at 12:00 PM. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/exCddacr Young people with disabilities need and want to learn about relationships and sexuality, which is important for healthy development and well-being. Those with disabilities and special health care needs need information from their trusted adults! In this way, they are prepared to engage in relationships that are safe, make safe decisions, effectively communicate consent or non-consent, and have positive relationships. Parents and caregivers will examine barriers to talking about sexuality; gain knowledge about sexuality, sexual abuse, and developmental disabilities; and acquire and practice skills in communicating with your child with a disability about sexuality.