PEN Project
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https://prntexas.org/texas-ptis/pen-project/ PEN Regional Coordinators are here for you! What if I'm not sure if PEN Project can help me? - Call us anyway!
We can help you understand your child’s disability, understand your rights and responsibilities under IDEA, obtain and evaluate resources and services for your child, and fully participate as a team member with professionals in planning services for your child. What kind of assistance does PEN offer?
* Individual assistance over the phone and in-person
* Workshops and webinars on a variety of spe
08/15/2026
📚 Understanding IDEA Disability Categories 📚
Did you know that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) identifies 13 disability categories that may qualify a student for special education services?
These categories help schools determine eligibility for services and supports designed to meet a student's unique educational needs.
08/14/2026
🌟 Fun Fact Friday 🌟
Did you know that the brain can create new pathways and connections throughout a person's life? This amazing ability is called neuroplasticity.
For individuals with disabilities, neuroplasticity is one reason therapies, practice, accommodations, and supportive environments can make such a meaningful difference over time.
Progress doesn't always happen quickly, and it doesn't always look the way we expect—but growth is possible at every age.
💙 Celebrate every milestone, every new skill, and every step forward, no matter how small it may seem.
¡El año escolar está aquí!
Después de un verano con horarios más flexibles, volver a la rutina escolar puede sentirse como un gran cambio para los niños, los padres y los maestros.
Los maestros están conociendo nuevas personalidades y diferentes estilos de aprendizaje.
Si tu hijo tiene necesidades especiales, compartir información con el equipo escolar puede hacer una gran diferencia desde el primer día.
Aquí hay dos ideas simples para ayudar a comenzar el año escolar con más facilidad:
Primero: Regresar a horarios consistentes.
Mantén horarios de dormir y despertar similares, incluso los fines de semana.
Segundo: Pregunta sobre las rutinas del aula.
Practica acciones simples en casa, como guardar la mochila, esperar junto a la puerta o sentarse a la mesa por períodos de tiempo más largos.
Con paciencia y pequeños pasos, el inicio del año escolar puede sentirse más tranquilo y positivo para todos.
¿Necesitas ayuda?
Contáctanos.
Estamos aquí para ayudar.
No olvides darle "Me Gusta", compartir y seguir nuestra página para más información.
⏰ ONE WEEK TO GO! ⏰
With the Pathways to Possibilities Conference just ONE week away, there’s an important conversation we want families and self-advocates to be thinking about:
What happens when school ends?
Transitioning to adulthood is a BIG conversation. Education, employment, independent living, adult services, self-advocacy, and knowing what supports are available can make a huge difference in what comes next.
That’s exactly why Pathways to Possibilities is bringing families, self-advocates, and professionals together to connect with information, resources, and opportunities for the journey ahead.
📚 Looking for a great place to start? The Texas SPED Support resource “Defining 18+ Adult Transition Services” provides information about 18+ programs and what families should know as they navigate transition services.
And there’s MORE waiting for you at Pathways to Possibilities!
📅 August 22, 2026
⏰ 9:30 AM–3:00 PM
📍 Baylor University – Cashion Academic Center | Waco, TX
💙 FREE for families and self-advocates!
✈️ Travel stipends available for eligible families
🔗 Register to attend in person:
https://bit.ly/2026Pathways-Registration
💻 Join virtually:
https://bit.ly/2026Pathways-Virtual
💰 Apply for a travel stipend:
https://bit.ly/2026Pathways-Stipend
🤝 Exhibitor registration:
https://bit.ly/2026Pathways-Exhibitor
The future doesn’t start after graduation. The pathway starts with preparation. 💙
Let’s talk about what comes next. One week. One conference. So many possibilities.
Defining 18+ Adult Transition Services | Texas SPED Support Webinar defining what 18+ programs are, what they are not, and best practices
08/13/2026
⚖️ SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT: James Rainey! ⚖️
We’re excited to welcome James Rainey, Certified Elder Law Attorney and founding attorney of Rainey & Rainey, PLLC, to the 2026 Pathways to Possibilities Conference!
With more than 30 years of experience, James focuses on estate planning, elder law, special needs planning, and probate—important topics for families thinking about the future and planning for the long-term needs of their loved ones.
He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Baylor University School of Law and brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to the families and communities he serves.
📅 August 22, 2026
⏰ 9:30 AM–3:00 PM
📍 Baylor University – Cashion Academic Center | Waco, TX
🎟️ FREE for families and attendees!
Whether you’re planning for your child’s future, navigating special needs planning, or simply want to better understand how to protect what matters most, this is a speaker you won’t want to miss!
📍 ATTEND IN PERSON
Physical/In-Person Registration:
https://bit.ly/2026Pathways-Registration
💻 ATTEND VIRTUALLY
Virtual Registration:
https://bit.ly/2026Pathways-Virtual
💰 TRAVEL STIPENDS
Travel stipends are available for eligible families attending in person.
Stipend Application:
https://bit.ly/2026Pathways-Stipend
Come connect with experts, discover resources, ask questions, and gain tools to help your family move forward with confidence.
Your pathway to possibilities starts here!
Check out this week's Toolkit Thursday. It can help streamline communication with your child’s teachers.
Perfect for parents navigating the school year with children with disabilities. Easy, practical, impactful. 💪
Communicate Effectively with Teachers: A Guide for Special Needs Parents Learn essential communication strategies for special needs parents to ensure your autistic child receives the best support at school. Discover tips for collaborating with teachers and school staff to create a successful learning environment.
08/13/2026
🌟 SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT: Katie Laubender! 🌟
We’re excited to welcome Katie Laubender, Program Manager for the Youth Transitions Program with the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing, to the 2026 Pathways to Possibilities Conference!
Katie brings a powerful combination of professional expertise and lived experience. With a background in Special Education and teaching 18+ Transitions to Adulthood, she focuses on equipping youth and young adults with disabilities with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in adulthood. As a parent of a child with autism, Katie also brings a personal perspective and deep commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities and their families.
💙 Pathways to Possibilities is all about connecting families, youth, and self-advocates with the knowledge, resources, and opportunities they need for the journey ahead!
📅 August 22, 2026
⏰ 9:30 AM–3:00 PM
📍 Baylor University – Cashion Academic Center | Waco, TX
🎟️ FREE for families and attendees!
📍 ATTEND IN PERSON
Physical/In-Person Registration:
https://bit.ly/2026Pathways-Registration
💻 ATTEND VIRTUALLY
Virtual Registration:
https://bit.ly/2026Pathways-Virtual
💰 TRAVEL STIPENDS
Travel stipends are available for eligible families who attend in person.
Stipend Application:
https://bit.ly/2026Pathways-Stipend
Come learn, connect, ask questions, discover resources, and build your Pathway to Possibilities!
08/13/2026
The August PEN Project Newsletter is here!
As Partners Resource Network celebrates 40 years of empowering Texas families, we're celebrating what's possible next: five young adults beginning their Ability Fellows employment experiences, the Pathways to Possibilities Conference in Waco, opportunities to join the PEN team, youth activities, family resources, and more.
40 years of empowerment. And we're just getting started.
https://mailchi.mp/partnerstx.org/pen-august2026
The school year is almost here!
After a summer with more flexible schedules, getting back into the school routine can feel like a big change for children, parents, and teachers.
Teachers are getting to know new personalities and different learning styles.
If your child has special needs, sharing information with the school team can make a big difference from day one.
Here are two simple ideas to help start the school year with more ease:
First: Return to consistent schedules.
Keep similar bedtime and wake-up times, even on weekends.
Second: Ask about classroom routines.
Practice simple actions at home, such as putting away the backpack, waiting at the door, or sitting at the table for longer periods of time.
With patience and small steps, the start of the school year can feel calmer and more positive for everyone.
Do you need help?
Contact us.
We are here to help!
Don't forget to like, share and follow our page for more information.
08/12/2026
Advocacy starts with one simple word: "Why?"
Why is this support needed?
Why isn't this accommodation being provided?
Why can't we work together to find a solution?
Asking thoughtful questions opens the door to meaningful conversations and better outcomes for students.
Never underestimate the power of a well-informed parent.
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Address
7400 Viscount Boulevard Suite 201
El Paso, TX
79925
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| Tuesday | 8am - 12pm |
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| Wednesday | 8am - 12pm |
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| Thursday | 8am - 12pm |
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| Friday | 8am - 12pm |
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