Success Stories

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Rocky Mountain Parents as Teachers:

Program Helps Special-Needs Parents Raise Healthy Child

Rocky Mountain Parents as Teachers (RMPAT) met Amelia and Paul* right after their son was born. Challenged with significant cognitive limitations, they were eager to learn child development information and effective techniques for raising their child. Their parent educator read handouts to them aloud and put parenting information on audio tape, because Amelia reads at a second grade level and Paul is unable to read at all.

When their son was about 2 ½, years old, the parent educator noticed a language delay during the child’s annual screening, and gently encouraged the parents to take him for additional evaluation. They willingly agreed, and the little boy began speech and language intervention with a therapist who came to their home.

Now, at the age of 4, the child’s speech and language skills are much improved and he is performing at age level in all areas of development. Amelia and Paul remain enthusiastic participants in all RMPAT activities, having attended most of the group meetings. Through adaptation of the curriculum, RMPAT was able to customize the program for these special-needs parents and their normally-developing son, so that he can grow in a healthy, supportive environment and be ready for school when the time comes.
*Names changed for privacy

About Rocky Mountain Parents as Teachers
RMPAT provides the information, support and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life. Amelia and Paul’s story demonstrates the ways in which RMPAT positively assists its participants in helping themselves and their children, strengthening families and preserving self-respect. To learn more, visit www.rmpat.org

Partnership with Community First Foundation
Community First Foundation supports RMPAT through grants and services that encourage long-term financial health. Most recently, RMPAT participated in the Foundation’s Endowment Challenge Grant program, receiving a $37,500 match for their new endowment.