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PACER Center
952-838-9000

Champions for Children with Disabilities

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A look at PACER in 1977
First PACER office in 1978
PACER's first office
Original 5 PACER employees
Original five employees:
Paula Goldberg, Marci Bergdahl, Marge Goldberg, Evy Anderson, and Joan Schoepke.

PACER opens it doors in a South Minneapolis storefront location with card tables, used office furniture from 3M, and five eager employees, most of them part-time.

Today, PACER is located in a family friendly, accessible building with over 80 staff members.

PACER's entryway PACER's main hallway
PACER's entryway PACER's main hall

Parents Helping Parents Program Overview

father with son's chin on his shoulderWhen PACER was established in 1977, it began with one project: Parents Helping Parents. Then as now, PACER was staffed primarily by parents of children with disabilities dedicated to educating other parents and improving the lives of children with disabilities throughout Minnesota. With a small grant from the Minnesota Department of Education, PACER conducted a five-month pilot project and demonstrated the effectiveness of the "parents helping parents" model.

Although today PACER offers more than 30 programs for parents, students, professionals and other parent organizations, the original philosophy of "parents helping parents" remains the foundation upon which PACER has grown. Whether addressing the issue of juvenile justice or assisting youth in making the transition from high school to work place, parents on our staff share their experiences and their knowledge with others so that all Minnesota's children with disabilities may have a better future.













































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Visit PACER's other sites: National Parent Center Network (ALLIANCE) | Kids Against Bullying | Project C3 | FAPE Project | Minnesota SEACs

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