Kitsap County Parent Advocacy

Kitsap County Parent Advocacy Empowering parents at the IEP table through our experience.

Look at what Brian has to say about the recent growth of Dads Get TogetherDads Who Get It — We Went From Two Dads to Fiv...
09/04/2026

Look at what Brian has to say about the recent growth of Dads Get Together

Dads Who Get It — We Went From Two Dads to Five
When I first posted here looking for other dads, I honestly didn't know whether anyone would respond.

Our first meetup was two dads.

This week, five of us sat around the table, and we already have more dads interested in joining us next time.

So I want to clarify a little more about what we're building.

Dads Who Get It is a Christian fellowship for dads and father figures raising and caring for children with autism, disabilities, and other special needs.

Our faith is part of the reason we're gathering. We want a place where dads can talk honestly about caregiving, marriage, exhaustion, victories, fear, faith, doubt, prayer and everything else that comes with this life, with guys who don't need the backstory explained.

At the same time, I want to be respectful of this community: I'm not posting here to evangelize, debate religion, or suggest that faith needs to be part of anyone else's journey. If Christianity isn't part of your life, that's completely okay. I'm simply trying to help the dads for whom it is important find one another.

And apparently, we're out here. 🙂

We have two upcoming opportunities to connect:

💻 Online — Thursday, September 24 at 4:00 PM

👥 In Person — Thursday, October 15 at 4:00 PM in Port Orchard

No experts. No presentations. No pretending we have this figured out.

Just Faith • Fatherhood • Fellowship with dads who get it.

If that's something you've been looking for, call or text me:

Brian — 253-549-1477

You're not alone on this road.

Capernaum Kitsap has their fall calendar out! Take a look if you would like to join in one of their places. Young Life ...
09/04/2026

Capernaum Kitsap has their fall calendar out! Take a look if you would like to join in one of their places.

Young Life Capernaum gives teens and young adults with disabilities a place for fun and belonging. You were made with a purpose! So excited to be serving Kitsap County.

I saw this letter posted by another parent about transportation issues that South Kitsap District has been going through...
09/03/2026

I saw this letter posted by another parent about transportation issues that South Kitsap District has been going through for the last few weeks since the bus schedules were released.

Sensory Processing Calm Down IdeasWhat are some sensory calm down ideas that you would add to this list that have been h...
08/26/2026

Sensory Processing Calm Down Ideas
What are some sensory calm down ideas that you would add to this list that have been helpful for your child?
Calming music
Yoga poses
Deep pressure
Blowing bubbles
Coloring
Sensory bottles
Play with slime
Jump on trampoline
Scented play dough
Nature walk
Heavy work activities
Breathing activities
Blow pinwheels

Our website has tons of resources, activities and information to help you while parenting a child with Sensory Processing Disorder.
sensoryprocessingdisorderparentsupport.com

08/26/2026

Coming up August 27: Region 3 Community Engagement Forum
We hold Region 3 quarterly Community Engagement Forums on the 4th Thursday of February, May, August and November. All meetings are online, using Teams.

The next meeting is Thursday, August 27, 2026.

Time: 4—6:30 p.m.

How to Join the Meeting
Please join the Teams call using the link below (no registration needed):

Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 285 652 970 540 00
Passcode: LE2Pz9Cr
Dial in by phone:

+1 564-999-2000,,704 853 760 # United States, Olympia
Find a local number
Phone conference ID: 704 853 760 #
Microsoft Teams Need help?

For questions or accommodations requests, please email Michelle Sturdevant, Community Partner Engagement Program Manager.

Dads Raising & Caring for Kids with Disabilities — Let's Get TogetherA few of us local dads have started getting togethe...
08/24/2026

Dads Raising & Caring for Kids with Disabilities — Let's Get Together
A few of us local dads have started getting together, and we're opening the invitation to others who might need this too.

We're fathers and caregivers raising children with autism and other disabilities. Our families and experiences are different, but there's something valuable about sitting across the table from another dad who understands that this life can be incredibly rewarding, incredibly hard, and sometimes both on the same day.

We're getting together again:

📅 Thursday, September 3
🕓 4:00 PM
📍 Port Orchard

Nothing formal. No presentations. No experts. No expectation that you have to share anything you're not comfortable sharing.

Just some dads, conversation, fellowship, encouragement and probably some laughs.

Faith is an important part of this journey for several of us, and there's room to talk about God, prayer, doubt, struggle and hope when we need to. At the same time, we're not getting together to debate religion or tell anyone what they should believe. We're dads supporting dads.

If you're a dad or father figure caring for a child with autism, developmental or intellectual disabilities, medical complexities, behavioral challenges, or other special needs, we'd be glad to have you at the table.

We're keeping the meeting location private rather than posting it publicly, so comment below or send me a private message and I'll get you the details.

You don't have to walk all of this alone.

Maybe you just need another dad who gets it.

You don't have to be an expert in every discipline.You just need to know who does what.OT supports fine motor skills, se...
08/20/2026

You don't have to be an expert in every discipline.

You just need to know who does what.

OT supports fine motor skills, sensory regulation, and daily living tasks.

PT supports gross motor skills, mobility, and physical access to the school environment.

Speech-Language Pathology supports communication, language, and often social skills.

Beyond the "big three": school psychologists support cognitive and behavioral needs, counselors support social-emotional needs, and vision, hearing, and orientation and mobility specialists support students with sensory-specific needs.

Know your team. Lean on your team.

d d add f Def

A goal that just restates grade-level standards is not a measurable IEP goal.Under I.D.E.A., an annual goal has to be me...
08/20/2026

A goal that just restates grade-level standards is not a measurable IEP goal.

Under I.D.E.A., an annual goal has to be measurable, meaning someone can put a number on it and check that same number again later.

It also has to be annual, and it has to cover academic and functional needs, not just grades.

If a goal cannot be scored the same way twice, it does not meet the bar.

Check with your special education coordinator/coach/mentor/director if you want a second look at how your goals are written.

This is where I began my indoctrination on , followed by webinars from, advocates who helped reinforce the teachings.Sp...
08/19/2026

This is where I began my indoctrination on , followed by webinars from, advocates who helped reinforce the teachings.

Special Education Training, Fully Funded

Thanks to scholarships provided by Comcast, The Arc@School is offering free access to their Special Education Advocacy Curriculum, an online, self-paced training available in both English and Spanish.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or professional who supports students with disabilities, this training is for you.

Scholarship slots are limited and will be filled on a rolling basis, so request yours as soon as possible.

Here's what you'll learn about, across eight modules:
• Building a foundation for advocacy
• IDEA and early intervention services
• Special education services
• Individualized education programs (IEPs)
• Procedural safeguards
• Section 504
• Educational records
• Advocacy skills
Once you complete the curriculum, you'll receive a certificate of completion and ongoing access to all course materials.

Questions? Reach out to [email protected].

Request free access here:
https://bit.ly/4xPiQxb

This is a bit of a travel but well worth the adventure.Ready to get out on the water? ⛵️ Get excited for an Adaptive Sai...
08/19/2026

This is a bit of a travel but well worth the adventure.

Ready to get out on the water? ⛵️ Get excited for an Adaptive Sailing Day at Sail Sand Point on Saturday, August 22nd from 1-4pm! This afternoon of adaptive sailing is a great opportunity to enjoy time on the water, connect with the community, and try out adaptive equipment in a welcoming environment.

📍 You can find this event at Sail Sand Point - 7861 62nd Ave NE, Seattle

Make sure to fill out the registration form at least 5 days in advance to help the team prepare. Scan the QR code on the flyer or use the link below to sign up! Questions can be sent to [email protected].

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYgVfeRSauWQiJiKZNSagGqR2o1HeWNoIADvwnRzSL6M6D4Q/viewform

Come spend an afternoon on the water and experience the joy of adaptive sailing!

Address

Port Orchard, WA
98310

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13607103936

Website

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