Encircle Families (formerly Raising Special Kids)

Family Support Specialist, Rachel Hanzuk, recently attended the Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education Summit. This event brought together practitioners, administrators, leaders, and families, all focused on supporting young children and helping them thrive.

For AZ Gives Day, we’re asking, from our hearts, for your support. Whether you’re a parent, a community partner, or someone who believes in stronger families… your gift helps us continue this work. Donate today: donorbox.org/eftc-2025-sm

Tomorrow is AZ Gives Day, and we need your help! Our goal is to raise $5,000 in one day to continue supporting families across our community. Giving is easy: just click the link below, submit your donation, and you’ll receive a receipt by email. Donate: donorbox.org/eftc-2025-sm

Lumina is Encircle Families’ very first signature event! June 6th at AZ Science Center. We’re calling on our community to help bring Lumina to life! We are looking for artists, sponsors, and community members. To learn more: encirclefamilies.org/event/lumina/

It’s Okay If You’ve Been Putting This Off. If it’s been on your list… this is your nudge. - mailchi.mp/encirclefamili…

Parent To Parent Connections are vital. Donate today to keep this vital program running, ensuring that every family has someone who truly understands their journey. Together, we can provide support, resources, and community for families. donorbox.org/eftc-2025-sm

Family Support Specialist Michelle Henretta joined Parent Leader Volunteer Caulyne Barron at Buena High School in Sierra Vista for a Parent Panel on engaging parents in the IEP process. To help keep this program and many others going strong, donate today: donorbox.org/eftc-2025-sm

The Parent Center Hub newsletter recently highlighted Encircle Families as Arizona’s Parent Center. The Parent Center Hub is a network of Parent Centers around the country that serve families of children with disabilities. See the highlight here: parentcenterhub.org/buzz-march2026/.

Encircle Families’ Physician Residency Program gives medical residents the chance to meet parents raising children with disabilities, hear their stories, and see firsthand the strength, love, and resilience it takes every day. Donate to support EF today : donorbox.org/eftc-2025-sm

Have you learned a few things on your parenting journey? Encircle Families is looking for Parent Leader Volunteers, parents or caregivers of children with any diagnosis or disability who are willing to support families who may be earlier in their journey. encirclefamilies.org/service/parent…

Learn about how early intervention sets kids up for success and more in this edition of Connecting Weekly. - mailchi.mp/encirclefamili…

Encircle Families staff member Angel Cazares recently joined the Avondale Resource Center for their Capes and Connections event! A great opportunity to connect with families, share resources, and celebrate the strength and resilience of our community. donorbox.org/eftc-2025-sm

The Partners in Leadership program is returning to Arizona! Raising Voices Coalition will host this statewide leadership and advocacy training through a contract with the DDD. for more info: raisingvoicescoalition.com/partners-in-le…

Parent Leader, Jessica Hipskind joined Family Support Specialist, Laurie Shook to share a parent perspective on IEPs with speech therapy students at Arizona State University. To find out more about becoming a Parent Leader volunteer, click the link below: encirclefamilies.org/service/parent…

27 Days Until Tax Day. Tax Day is April 15. There’s still time to make your Arizona Tax Credit donation. - mailchi.mp/encirclefamili…

Encircle Families Director of Staff Development and Training, Wendi Scharnhorst, recently joined the AZ Brewery Running Series for a fun day of running and family support! If you’re not able to attend but would still like to make an impact, you can donate: donorbox.org/eftc-2025-sm

This St. Patrick’s Day, help us keep our services free for families by making a donation. You can support families raising children with disabilities at no extra cost to you through the Arizona Tax Credit. donorbox.org/eftc-2025-sm

In this video, Heather Dunphy, Lead Education Program Specialist with the Arizona Department of Education, explains the State Performance Plan and the 18 indicators that help measure how well schools are following the IDEA.

We cannot thank Scottsdale Sunrise Rotary enough for their continued partnership in making Special Day for Special Kids such a joyful event for our community! Thank you to all of our incredible vendors, volunteers, and the families who joined us for the fun.

We are often asked, “How can I support Encircle Families?” 💛 ✨ 1. Make a financial gift. donorbox.org/eftc-2025-sm ✨ 2. Become a Parent Leader Volunteer. Learn More and sign up here : encirclefamilies.org/service/parent… ✨ 3. Like and share our posts. Thank you for being here with us.