Who We Are

Washington PAVE was organized in 1979 and is statewide and parent owned. PAVE was developed as a means for parents of children with all disabilities, birth through twenty-one, to have access to information, materials, and 1-1 support, as well as a united voice to improve educational and life outcomes for their children. This has led to an organization with several different programs funded through a variety of sources. PAVE has 10 offices across the state along with a cadre of specially trained volunteers in their own communities. PAVE has a strong commitment to working partnerships with educators and other professionals that enhance the parent’s role in informed decision making for their child.

The majority of Washington PAVE staff are parents who have children with special needs.

Meet our staff:


PAVE’s major programs include:

  • Parent Training and Information Program (funded through the US Department of Education since 1981) - The Parent Training and Information Project is funded to provide training and support to parents in Washington State whose children have special learning needs. The project conducts workshops on various aspects of obtaining appropriate services in the public school system.
  • Pierce County Parent to Parent (funded by Pierce County Social Services, since 1983) - Pierce County Parent to Parent provides emotional support and information on community resources for parents who have a child with similar needs and can assist families in coping with many challenging experiences.
  • Specialized Training Of Military Parents - STOMP (funded through the US Department of Education since 1985) - The STOMP project provides special training and support to military parents throughout the United States and overseas regarding access to special education and other issues. The project puts special emphasis on helping other parent centers learn about issues facing military parents. STOMP trains teams of parents and helping professionals who can then provide information to others back in their own communities.
  • Infant-Toddler Early Intervention Parent Participation Coordinator (funded under Part C funding of PL 105-17 since 1989) - supports a contracted position with Washington PAVE to provide technical assistance and consultation to the State and County Interagency Coordinating Councils (ICC’s) to increase parent participation. The position is responsible for increasing parent awareness of Public Law 105-17 Part C, and to provide technical assistance and training on family perceptions and needs of parents of children birth to three with disabilities throughout the state and to facilitate exchange of information across parent groups.
  • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Family Resource Institute (FAS/FRI) (funded through the Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse since 1995) - The project provides information, referral and training for professionals and families impacted by fetal alcohol exposure. The project provides informational materials and a quarterly newsletter as well as telephone support and assistance.
  • Community Inclusion Program (funded by the Division of Aging and Long Term Care since 1995) - This project is to increase family involvement in their local communities and to empower families to use natural supports, resources, and activities available within their communities.
  • Person Centered Planning Program - This program provides families, youth with disabilities, and service providers in Pierce County, opportunities to learn about person centered planning and circles of support through workshops and the development of individual plans.
  • Workshops, Training and Conferences Program (funded by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction since 2001) - This program maintains a clearinghouse for Special Education Workshops, Training and Conferences, and disseminates that information to parents, administrators, and other educators involved with special education for children birth to twenty-one.

    Washington PAVE | 6316 So. 12th St. | Tacoma, WA 98465
    (253) 565-2266 (v/tty) | 1-800-5-PARENT (v/tty) | Fax: (253) 566-8052
    E-mail:wapave9@washingtonpave.com