BOISE, Idaho — With more kids entering special education, the Idaho Department of Education wants to make life easier for families and educators.

"The number one thing that I am asked about K-12 everywhere in the state is we need more support," said Debbie Critchfield, superintendent of public instruction.

At the center of these efforts is a pilot mentorship program in Ponderay that pairs families new to special education with experienced advocates, she said. The initiative, developed in partnership with Idaho Parents Unlimited, aims to reduce the isolation many parents feel when first entering the special education system.

"Parents often feel very alone and feel as though they don't have someone that has their back," Critchfield said. "It should not be adversarial. Everyone is there fo

See Full Page