The mission of the Utah Parent Center (UPC or Center) is to help parents help their children, youth and young adults with all disabilities to live included, productive lives as members of the community.
We accomplish our mission by providing accurate information, empathetic peer support, valuable training and effective advocacy based on the concept of parents helping parents.*
*The term parent is broadly defined to include anyone serving in that role.
The Utah Parent Center, a 501c3 non-profit, is an award-winning training and information center founded in 1983 by parents of children and youth with all disabilities to help other parents facing similar challenges throughout Utah. The caring and competent staff of the UPC utilizes a proven, effective parent-to-parent model to help many thousands of parents annually. We also represent families in many systems level activities. The UPC staff have built collaborative networks with education, health and human service professionals, agencies and organizations. The Center promotes change within community through various projects and activities.
The UPC is founded on the philosophy that parents are full partners in the decision-making processes that direct their child’s care and programs and, as such, can provide significant support to other parents in similar circumstances. Services of the Utah Parent Center are typically free. One-on-one consultations, workshops and presentations for parents are free. There are registration costs for some conferences and there may be a small fee for large quantities of materials.
Staff of the UPC are primarily parents of children with disabilities. Each of them have a child of varying ages with different disabilities. Their unique perspective of being a parent themselves allows them an opportunity to provide real-life experiences and positive lessons learned.
Amberly Dattilo, JD, Board Chairperson
Disability Law Center, Attorney, Parent
Jeff Skibitsky, MA, Board Chairperson-Elect
CEO, Alternative Behavior Strategies
Cheralyn Creer, BA, Board Secretary
Director of a program for blind youth, Parent and Person with a Disability
Curtis Ryan, BA, Board Treasurer
CPA, Westminster College, VP of Finance and Administration, Parent
Allyson White, MA, Board Member
Ascent Academies, Special Education Director, Guardian of Disabled Sister
Amanda Dickson, BA, JD, Board Member
KSL Radio, Radio Personality, Author, Motivational Speaker, Parent
David Nixon, BS, Board Member
VP, JLL Commercial Real Estate
George Squires, MA, Board Member
Northwestern Financial, Wealth Advisor, Retired
Jessica Merrill, BS, Board Member
Marketing Director, Overstock.com
Justin Draper, BS, Board Member
HR Business Partner, Varex Imaging, Parent
Matthew Wappett, PhD, Board Member
Utah State University Center for Persons with Disabilities, Executive Director, Parent
Patsy Milligan, MA, Board Member
SpedCO, Program Specialist, Parent
Paula Peterson, APRN, MS, Board Member
Primary Children’s Hospital, Nurse Practitioner
Dr. Patrice Johnson, PhD, Board Member
Superintendent, Jordan River School District
Sara Doutre’, MA, Board Member
Private Consultant for state Early Intervention, Education, and Health Departments, Parent
Joey Hanna, Ex-Officio (non-voting) Member
UPC Executive Director, Parent
Note: UPC Board composition must maintain a majority of parents of children, youth, and young adults with disabilities.
Ryan Nelson, Board Chair
Regional President, Zions Bank
Sharlene Wells Hawkes, Board Member
President, Story Rock – Remember My Service
Ken Eliasen, Board Member
Vice President, Edwards Life Sciences
Mark Durrant, Board Member
Partner, Dorsey & Whitney, LLP
Kyle Nelson, Board Member
Founding Partner, Max Connect Marketing
Sharla Jessop, Board Member
President, Smedley Financial
Kent Bowman, Board Member
Partner, Tanner LLC
Joey Hanna, Executive Director
Gina Pola-Money, Associate Director
Sherrie Wignall, Fiscal Manager
Jennie Dopp, Development Coordinator
Cassandra Shaw-Myers, Lead Administrative Assistant