PACER CENTER INC
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Mission Statement
PACER Center is a resource, information, and training center for parents committed to making a difference in the lives of children and youth, including those with disabilities, and their families. Established in 1978 to ensure educational rights for children with disabilities, PACER has initiated and developed more than 35 results-oriented programs that provide innovative services to children and young adults and their families. These programs help children and youth develop skills that will increase their options for a full and productive life.
About This Cause
PACER’s mission is to enhance the quality of life and expand opportunities for children, youth, and young adults with all disabilities and their families so each person can reach his or her highest potential. PACER operates on the principles of parents helping parents, supporting families, promoting a safe environment for all children, and working in collaboration with others. When we focus on the needs of all children, we strengthen their families and the communities in which they live. PACER Center is unique in that we serve children with all disabilities – learning, physical, emotional, health and cognitive. No other organization in Minnesota offers this broad service to families. PACER Center envisions a world in which all children and adults with disabilities, from all socioeconomic, culturally and racially diverse backgrounds and their families will have the resources, education, and opportunities to be successful, valued members of their community. Based on the core philosophy of “Parents Helping Parents,” PACER fulfills its mission through a variety of means: individual assistance, workshops, webinars, bullying prevention, puppet programs, assistive technology, and many online and print publications. PACER’s programs help parents become informed, effective representatives for their children in early childhood, school, and vocational settings, and to help children develop the skills necessary to thrive. Please see below a few of PACER’s important programs. National Bullying Prevention Center –PACER established this national project in 2006 to address this important issue. Nearly 1 in 3 students report being bullied during the year. PACER has two goals to bring about lasting change through the use of creative, interactive, web-based resources: First, to shift the paradigm to make bullying behavior unacceptable in our society and second, to educate all students, parents, teachers, and the community to take action to prevent bullying. The National Bullying Prevent Center’s websites received over 3 million visitors last year. PACER’s Puppet Programs – PACER’s ingenious, interactive puppet programs provide a creative, comfortable medium to teach young children. The puppet shows use five child-size multicultural puppets with and without disabilities. “COUNT ME IN” provides an opportunity for children to explore disabilities, gain acceptance through understanding, and foster positive attitudes toward people with disabilities. “KIDS AGAINST BULLYING” helps children and adults learn about bullying prevention. Simon Technology Center (STC) – Since 1987 the Simon Technology Center has been providing software, adaptive devices and training to help children and young adults with disabilities learn to communicate through technology so that they might enhance learning, work, and independence. The STC also offers STEM education to middle school girls with disabilities through the Exploring Interests in Technology and Engineering Camp (EXITE) and Tech for Girls workshops. PACER’s New Children’s Mental Health and Emotional or Behavioral Disorders Project: Inspiring Opportunities – This new project is promoting increased awareness and understanding of children’s mental health and providing high quality training, information, materials, and supports. This project increases parents’ and professionals’ understanding of behaviors, children’s mental health service systems, effective advocacy skills, and strategies to help break the barrier of social stigma that is associated with children and youth mental illness. Multicultural Programs – PACER provides specific programs for the African American, Hispanic and Latino, Somali, and Southeast Asian communities in Minnesota. Many PACER publications have been translated into Hmong, Somali, and Spanish, and advocates from these communities provide assistance in multiple languages.