Jeffco Parents Encouraging Parents

Registration for the 2026 JPEP event is now closed.

Workshop Topics

Attendees have the opportunity to attend two workshops throughout the day. This year, workshops are open choice, which means you will not pre-select your workshop choices. Participants are invited to explore and attend sessions that align with their interests and needs at the time of the event. Additional workshop topics may be added.

Advocating for Your Child: Tips and Tricks for Successful Advocacy 

• ALP, IEP, 504, Transitions, 2e | All Grades | The Arc of JCCGC
• In this session, we will explore effective advocacy strategies for engaging with a child's school team, covering key steps to take before, during, and after 504, IEP, and ALP meetings. Parents will leave empowered with practical tips and tools to effectively support and enhance their child's educational journey.

Ask an Attorney 

• EP, 504, 2e | All Grades | Jeffco Special Education
• In this session, we will address your preselected questions and explore common topics related to Special Education and Section 504 law. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of these areas to better support their child’s Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).

Asynchronous Development, Perfectionism, and Underachievement

• ALP | Elementary, Middle School | Jeffco Gifted Education
• In this session, we will explore asynchronous development, perfectionism, and underachievement and discuss strategies to help parents address these topics. Parents will leave with practical takeaways to support their gifted learners 

College-Ready Skills: Accessing Accommodations for Post-Secondary Education

• ALP, IEP, 504, Transitions, 2e | All Grades | AutismNERD

In this session, we will explore the essential skills students need for college and post-secondary success and discuss how those skills develop over time. Parents will leave with practical strategies for planning ahead for life after high school and concrete approaches to building college and life readiness skills with a long-term launch runway in mind.
 
Decoding 504: Empowering Parents

• ALP, IEP, 504, Transitions, 2e | Elementary, Middle School, High School | Jeffco 504
• In this session, we will demystify the Section 504 process and explore how it supports students with disabilities in the education environment. Parents will leave with a clear understanding of the 504 process and practical knowledge on how to collaborate with school teams to advocate for effective, need-based accommodations.

Dyslexia 101: An Introduction for Families

• IEP, 504, 2e | Elementary | Jeffco Division of Teaching & Learning
• In this session, we will build an understanding of what dyslexia is and how it impacts student learning. We will also discuss common signs and strengths, literacy hurdles, and the Jeffco screening process. Parents will leave with an understanding and enhanced empathy for what dyslexia-related challenges could look like and the knowledge of the steps Jeffco is taking to support struggling readers.

Dyslexia Mini Simulation

• IEP, 504, 2e | Elementary, Middle School | JeffcoKID
• In this session, we will explore the daily reality of living with dyslexia through hands-on simulations of classroom experiences. We will discuss the emotional impact of learning hurdles. Parents will leave with an empathetic perspective on their child’s specific strengths and needs and ways they can help their child. 

Empowered Voices: Guiding & Growing Healthy Relationships & Independence

• ALP, IEP, 504, Transitions, 2e | All Grades | The Arc of JCCGC
• In this session we will explore a practical approach to discussing relationships and sexuality in ways that are respectful, age appropriate, and grounded in your family’s values. Parents will leave feeling more skilled, comfortable, and confident navigating these important conversations with their children. 

Executive Function and Finding Your Lead Domino

• ALP, IEP, 504, Transitions, 2e | All Grades | Untapped Learning
• In this session, we will explore common executive function challenges seen in students with ADHD, anxiety, perfectionism, and other learning differences, how to pick the right place to start to support your student's success, and how to implement those changes effectively at home.

F.A.C.E. Your Fears: What I need to Know About Anxiety

• ALP, IEP, 504, Transitions, 2e | All Grades | Jeffco Student Services
• In this session, we will explore anxiety and discuss what anxiety is, different ways it may present, and current best practices by the work of Dr. Scott Cypers of Anxiety Force. Parents will leave with practical strategies and tools for all ages to support their children (friends and family, too!) in managing anxiety, building resilience, and creating a supportive home environment.

2e: Navigating the Dual Journey

• ALP, IEP, 504, 2e | Elementary, Middle School, High School | Jeffco Gifted Education
• In this session, we will review pathways and supports available for twice-exceptional learners in Jeffco K-12, including tips for effective collaboration with school teams. Parents will leave with a toolbox of resources and strategies for supporting their 2e learner’s areas of strength and challenge. 

GT and 2e Transitions: Elementary to Middle School to High School

• ALP, Transitions | Elementary, Middle School, High School | Jeffco Gifted Education
• In this session we will explore what it looks like in Jeffco Schools for Twice Exceptional students to transition between elementary and middle school as well as middle to high school. Parents will leave with a detailed understanding of what the educational professionals in their child's lives do to help this process.

Jeffco GT 101: Profiles, Characteristics, and Programming

• ALP | Elementary, Middle School | Jeffco Gifted Education
• In this session, we will explore the Gifted and Talented (GT) landscape and discuss what giftedness looks like, official identification methods, and how services evolve from elementary to secondary school. Parents will leave with a clear understanding of programming delivery to support their advanced learners at every stage of their educational journey.

Jeffco Transition Services / School to Work Alliance Program

• IEP, Transitions | Adult Transitions | Jeffco Special Education
• In this session, we will explore the two primary bridges from high school to adulthood in Jeffco—Jeffco Transition Services (JTS) and the School to Work Alliance Program (SWAP)—and discuss the critical differences between school-based pre-vocational training and direct community employment placement. Parents will leave with a clear referral timeline, a quick-start guide for engaging with JTS and SWAP, and the practical knowledge needed to utilize these collaborating programs to ensure their student is both effectively trained and successfully employed.

Life After High School: Medicaid Waivers, Supported Decision Making & Guardianship and Social Security

• IEP, 504, Transitions, 2e | All Grades | The Arc of JCCGC
• In this session, we will explore the transition from school to adult supports & services. We will discuss an overview of Medicaid Home & Community Based Services, Supported Decision Making & Guardianship and Social Security. Parents will leave with expanded knowledge of the key things to consider as their student prepares to transition from primary school system supports into the world of long-term adult services & supports.

Reframing and Understanding Behavior: 10 Behavior Strategies Families Can Use

• ALP, IEP, 504, 2e | All Grades | Colorado Dept. of Education & PEAK Parent Center
• In this session, we will give families hands-on strategies to create successful partnerships with schools and to support positive behavior at home. Parents will leave with strength profiles they create of their child and expectations and routines to support a calm and more positive home environment for all.

State of the State Special Education and Gifted Education

• ALP, IEP, 504, Transitions, 2e | All Grades | Colorado Dept. of Education
• In this session, from the perspective of the Colorado Department of Education, participants will hear about where we are and where we are going when it comes to Special Education and Gifted Education in Colorado. Paul Foster, Ed.D, CDE Assistant Commissioner of Exceptional Student Services, and Rebecca McKinney, Ed.D, CDE Gifted Education Director, will answer questions participants submitted during the registration process.

Supporting the Unique Health Concerns of Students with Significant Needs

• IEP | All Grades | Jeffco Health Services
• In this session, we will explore the unique health and physical needs of students with significant needs (SSN) and how these needs are addressed in the school setting by multidisciplinary teams. Parents will leave with a greater understanding of how to address their child's significant needs with the school-based IEP team.

The Gifted Trajectory: Early Identification and Support

• ALP | Elementary | Jeffco Gifted Education
• In this session, we will dive into the world of early giftedness, exploring common traits and the steps toward formal identification. Parents will leave with a clear toolkit of ideas to help their bright young learners thrive. 

Utilizing Conflict to Build Trust in the IEP Process

• IEP, 2e | All Grades | Colorado Dept. of Education
• In this session, we will explore the idea of conflict within the IEP Team meeting process and discuss how to use times of disagreement as an opportunity to collaborate and to grow as a team.   Parents will leave with an increased understanding of conflict as a resource and strategies to use to lean into challenging conversations that can result in stronger plans of support for their students.

Your Voice Matters: A Conversation with the CSSO

• ALP, IEP, 504, 2e | All Grades | Jeffco Public Schools
• In this session, we will explore the current state of student success across the district and discuss what’s working, what we’re learning, and where we’re headed. Families will leave with a clearer picture of how student success efforts support their children — and the opportunity to ask questions, share perspectives, and engage in an open conversation with district leadership.

Event Schedule

Time	Schedule
8–8:45 a.m.	Doors open, light breakfast is served, resource fair is open
8:45–9:55 a.m.	Opening Session: Welcome and Keynote
9:55–10:15 a.m.	Transition
10:15–11:15 a.m.	Small Group Discussion 1
11:15–11:30 a.m.	Transition
11:30–12:45 p.m.	Workshop 1
12:45–1:45 p.m.	Lunch & Resource Fair
1:45–3 p.m.	Workshop 2
3–3:15 p.m.	Transition
3:15–4:15 p.m.	Small Group Discussion 2
4:15–4:30 p.m.	Transition
4:30–5 p.m.	Closing Session, Student Panel & Celebration