The mission of the Utah Parent Center (UPC or Center) is to help parents help their children, youth and young adults with disabilities and special healthcare needs 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.
Click the image above to view the Utah Parent Center Annual Report achievements, programs and program outcomes for 2023.
Jessica Lamb, M.Ed., Chairperson
Dispute Resolution and At-Risk Specialist, Utah State Board of Education, Parent
Jean Boyack, Treasurer
Program Administrator, State of Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services
Eric Stoker, Prior Chairperson
Information Specialist, Utah Developmental Disabilities Council, Self-Advocate
George Squires, MA, Board Member
Northwestern Financial, Wealth Advisor, Retired, Grandparent
Brady Murray, CFP, ChSNC, Board Member
Financial Planner, Capstone Partners, Parent
Cagney Smullin, MPA, Board Member
Administrative Manager, University of Utah College of Social Work, Parent & Self Advocate
Efren Corado Garcia, MFA, Board Member
Case Manager, Clean Slate Utah
Kathryn Jenkins, Board Member
CEO, Inclusion Project, Advocate, Parent
Katie Cox, JD, Board Member
Attorney, Disability Law Center
Susie Estrada, Board Member
Family and Community Specialist, Utah State Board of Education
Matt Huskinson, Board Member
Administrator, University of Utah Pediatrics, Self-Advocate
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.
Jonathan Groberg, Board Member
Wealth Management Advisory, Northwestern Mutual
Ken Eliasen, Board Member
Vice President, Edwards Life Sciences
Kyle Hepworth, Board Member
CPA, Tanner LLC
Mark Durrant, Board Member
Partner, Dorsey & Whitney, LLP
Mark Richards, Board Member
President, Wasatch Recovery
Neil Mahoney, Board Member
Financial Planner, ABW Wealth
Sean McCarty, Board Member
Sr. Vice President, Zions Bank
Rachel Mitchell, Board Member
Occupational Therapist, Rehab Without Walls
Brooke Barragan, Board Member
Owner, Brookey Bakes
Aurash Takmili, Board Member
Director of Development, Cyberbacker
Joey Hanna, Executive Director
Esperanza Reyes, Associate Director
Sherrie Wignall, Fiscal Manager
Bill Tracy, Development Coordinator
Juliet Reynolds, Executive Project Coordinator
Amy Wall, Associate Project Coordinator