Our Commitment
Part of PACER Center’s commitment to children with disabilities includes ensuring that the state and federal laws protecting the rights of people with disabilities remain strong. PACER works in coalition with other disability organizations to support special education laws and other related legislation.
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2022 State Legislative Priorities
Access to Mental Health Resources
PACER supports increasing student access to equitable and appropriate mental health approaches, services, and supports in and out of school.
Students’ Academic Recovery from COVID-Related Learning Loss
PACER supports efforts to ensure that students with disabilities can access all necessary supports and services needed to continue making academic progress and recover from COVID-related educational losses.
Paid Training for Paraprofessionals
PACER supports funding for paraprofessionals to receive paid orientation and professional development that will enable them to better support the individual needs of students with disabilities. Providing paid opportunities for paraprofessionals to receive training and meet with students’ teachers will be beneficial to students, teachers and paraprofessionals.
Decreasing Exclusionary Discipline Practices
PACER supports legislation that decreases the use of suspensions, exclusions, and expulsions and other disciplinary practices that neither meet the needs of students nor promote a positive school culture.
Ensuring Equitable Funding for Special Education
PACER seeks increased funding to ensure that the nearly 20% of Minnesota students who qualify for special education services are well prepared for full inclusion in employment, housing, and all aspects of community life.
Reduction of Parental Fees for Medical Assistance TEFRA and Waiver Programs
PACER supports reduction of fees to families eligible for services under the Medical Assistance TEFRA and waiver programs. These high fees cause financial stress, resulting in many families not accessing important home and community-based services that are extremely beneficial to children’s health and development.
Resources for Parents
Video: Working for Change Using the Power of Personal Story
When parents try to improve services for all children with disabilities, not just their own child,—this is called advocating for systems change. This webinar will explain how parents of children with disabilities can help change systems by telling their own personal stories. By sharing a personal story with the right people, parents can help improve services and supports for children with disabilities and their families.
This page paid for with private funds