What's Been Completed
We recently completed the final Parent Listening Session on August 29, 2025, wrapping up a series of 10 sessions held between November 2023 and August 2025. In total, 28 parents participated, representing 10 different counties across every region of the state. We learned a lot from those sessions and identified themes that were consistent across all of the sessions. The information and themes were shared with the Department of Human Services, Office of Children, Youth, and Families as part of their work to incorporate voices of lived experience into the system review.

Where We Are Now
Beyond the Listening Sessions, parent engagement is expanding. We continue to work with parents to identify training and projects at the local and state level for them to share their experiences and expertise. Our goal is to provide support, training, and leadership opportunities to interested parents.

Where We Are Going
The most exciting next step is the creation of a formal statewide Parent Advisory Committee (PAC). A core team of parents will spend the first half of 2026 establishing the framework for the PAC. Formal recruitment for PAC members is projected to begin in the fall of 2026. The goal is for the PAC to have meetings and interactions with the state similar to the Citizen Review Panels and the Statewide Youth Advisory Board beginning in 2027. In addition, the PAC will also work at the county and state level on workgroups, trainings, and other projects that require the expertise of a parent with lived experience.

If you are interested in being part of this movement, please click here to complete an application.