Pierce County P2P Helping Parent Volunteer Training 2025-2026

WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

At Pierce County Parent to Parent (P2P), we are parents walking alongside parents. We partner with The Arc of Washington and Pierce County Community Connections to offer understanding, encouragement, information, and education to families raising children with disabilities or special health care needs.

This training is a required step for parents who wish to become 1:1 Helping Parent Volunteers —parents who offer listening hearts and lived experience to families who may be newly navigating a diagnosis or simply in need of extra support and connection. All participants must pass a background check.

The training is designed to be interactive and reflective, with time to share, ask questions, and connect with other parents who understand the journey firsthand. Together, we explore how Helping Parent Volunteers and staff can gently support families as they move through complex emotions and challenging moments—always with compassion, respect, and hope.


WHAT WILL I LEARN?

  • Emotional Support Strategies
  • Emotional Responses/Grief Cycle
  • Self-care Strategies
  • The Match Process
  • Empowerment
  • Communication & Active Listening
  • Volunteer Expectations
  • Ways to Volunteer
  • PAVE Programs
  • Local Resources

WHAT'S NEXT?
Upon Completion of the training, the following will be required: 
  • Background Check
  • DDCS- 6.08: WA State Mandated Reporting 
  • DDCS- 5.06: WA State Client Rights
  • DDCS-5.14: WA State Positive Behavior Supports
  • DDCS- 5.03: WA State Community Protection
You will receive instructions for completing the background check and other prerequisites once you have submitted registration. 











Your Demographics
Why does PAVE ask about my demographics? 
PAVE only shares cumulative information and your information helps us provide better support, training, information, and resources. For example, what type of support did PAVE provide for children age birth to 3 or K-12 that were White/Pacific Islander/Black or what type of support did PAVE provide for children leaving high school that primarily speak Tagalog. Names are never tied to the data provided.  

Is providing this information optional? Yes! You will receive the same level of support no matter your response. If you do not want to provide this information, you can choose to select "Prefer Not to Answer" under any of the questions in this section. PAVE is committed to serving, supporting, and empowering all people.