About P2P-CO

Professional Role: As program manager, I work with my team to keep all of P2P-CO support groups, matching and other services running smoothly. I elevate the lived experience of our community by inviting parents to share family voice at various public health meetings and other projects. Collaborating with community partners is a priority for me as it takes a collective effort to ensure the best outcomes for families. Personal Role: Arvada Mom to four, two with disabilities (including Autism, ADHD, Anxiety and an auto-immune disease).

Professional role: When a parent requests a 1-on-1 Support Parent match, I facilitate the matching process. On the flip side, I help develop and lead the Support Parent Training program for those who wish to volunteer to support other families. You will also find me hosting P2P-CO’s virtual parent support groups, attending resource fairs and community events. Personal role: Mom of two kids including a 7yo daughter and a 5yo son who is Autistic and uses an AAC device to communicate.

Professional role: I oversee EMPOWER, which supports families of those with mental health and behavioral challenges. I work closely with the Colorado Pediatric Psychiatry and Access Program (CoPPCAP) and the medical staff of the Special Care Clinic at Children’s Hospital Colorado to help ensure that the family voice is an integral part of their processes. Personal role: Wife and a mom to two boys: a very active 8yo with epilepsy, autism and ADHD, and a spunky 6yo who is a self-proclaimed “kid scientist.”

Professional role: I serve as the first point of contact for Spanish-speaking families joining the P2P-CO community and facilitate the matching process when a parent or caregiver requests a support parent match. Additionally, I manage P2P-CO's Padre a Padre de Colorado Facebook group. Personal role: Mom to three kids: one showing signs of ADHD but is too young to be diagnosed and another with sensory challenges.

Professional Role: I serve as the first point of contact for most families joining the P2P-CO community and help connect them to resources. Additionally, I lead P2P-CO’s policy efforts, regularly attend Medicaid stakeholder meetings and provide key takeaways to our membership, form and leverage community partnerships, and contribute to P2P-CO’s listservs. Personal Role: Mom to two imaginative tweens, one with special needs.

Proud mom of 3 adult children and Nana to 9 grandchildren, my children and grandchildren experience a variety of learning and mental health needs. In my professional life I was a special education teacher and administrator, always learning from students and families. Having served on many Boards and Councils, I find Parent to Parent is by far my favorite because of the valuable connections we make and the on-going support we provide to families.

Renee Walbert is a founding Parent to Parent member, longtime board member and former staff member. She believes that because of the support she received and the skills she gained, her 3 children with multiple disabilities across all the different types of disability, grew up to be strong self-advocates who live independently with appropriate supports in their own communities of choice. The friendships and connections she made through P2P empowered her and her husband John to find the balance needed between being a parent and retaining their own identities both individually and as a couple. Now semi-retired she splits her time between Denver and the mountains. She’s an ordained deacon in the Presbyterian Church, enjoys volunteering, writing, cooking, singing in the choir and water color painting. She’s always thrilled as Oma (grandma) when she gets to spend time with her amazing granddaughter- who is NeuroSparkly. Renee and John enjoy traveling: with the family, on solo adventures and especially with each other. Revisiting their honeymoon trip to northern Ontario along the beautiful shores of Lake Superior for their 40th anniversary was a recent highlight with hopes for many more years to come.

I’m Mary Henneck, a dedicated member of Parent to Parent and an experienced professional with a rich background spanning the corporate, education, and nonprofit sectors. I hold a Bachelor’s in International Relations and French from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, an MBA in Business Management, and an MA in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Denver. My personal journey has been deeply enriched by raising two children with diverse needs: one with cerebral palsy and intellectual disability, and the other highly gifted and talented. This experience has fueled my passion for improving the lives of others, leading me to volunteer on numerous councils, committees, and boards within the disability community. Currently, I reside in Golden with my husband and our Jack Russell Terrier, Sophie. I enjoy spending my time outdoors gardening and hiking, and when indoors, I love cooking, crafting, and working on puzzles.

Dr. Gina Brackett I am a wife and mother of two boys. My oldest son was born prematurely and has autism, IDD, and is nonverbal. Making sure my sons have everything they need to thrive is my priority, which is why I also enjoy mentoring and supporting other parents and caretakers who have children with disabilities. Professionally, as a mortgage advisor, I offer home loans including exclusive programs for people and caretakers of individuals with disabilities.

Carole Bakhos is an Executive Director and devoted parent of a child with a disability. Her work with Jordan’s Guardian Angels advances rare disease research and support. As a Peer Coach at Purdue University and founder of 2villages, Carole empowers families and caregivers of children with disabilities. Actively engaged with local and global disability groups, she advocates for systemic change and promotes inclusion, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving the lives of those affected by disabilities.

Vicki Krieger has been a member of the advisory board since 2017. She is the mother and caregiver of the 3 young ladies, (24, 22, 19) with autism, mental health challenges and other disabilities, the youngest of whom lives with her. The challenges she faced obtaining services for her daughters motivates her advocacy to improve the mental health system for those with dual diagnosis. She serves as the Family Representative on the Denver START Advisory Board. Vicki was recently appointed to the CO Department of Human Services Family Voice Council. She was the Family Trainee of CU-Anschutz LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) program. She also served for 4 years on the Douglas County School District Special Education Advisory Committee. She has a Masters of Divinity and a B.S. in Physics. She is a recent single mother who enjoys hiking, gardening, and her two cats.

Erin is the founder and CEO of Mountain Summit Coaching. The mother of an autistic son, Erin is intimately familiar with the obstacles and challenges families face getting the right help for their neurodivergent children. Backed by extensive personal and professional experience, and aligned with a vast network of providers and services, Erin understands what families are going through and what tools are available to support them. As a parent coach, Erin is passionate about giving families the tools and support they need to find success, not only for their neurodivergent child, but for parents and siblings, as well. She has shared her expertise and presented for many groups focused on helping children and adults with disabilities. Erin is based in Colorado and offers her parent coaching services nationwide.

My name is Jeanette Cordóva, and I live in Broomfield, CO, with my son. I was born in NYC and raised in Miami, Florida. I am the proud mom of Tait Davis, who is chromosomally enhanced with Down syndrome and is now 22 years old. Tait is the light of my life! I know first-hand the challenges and wonderful journey of being a parent of a person with unique abilities. I have worked as an advocate and education consultant in the disability community for over 18 years, supporting English and Spanish-speaking families. I worked for the SPARK autism project at JFK Partners, The Arc of Arapahoe & Douglas, Thrive Center, and Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome, where I started the first Spanish-speaking support group for parents of loved ones with Down syndrome, which is still running today. I am also proud to have served as an Education Surrogate Parent for the Colorado Department of Education and on the Colorado Development Disabilities Council and other nonprofit boards. I graduated in May 2011 with my Associate in Liberal Arts, Cum Laude, from Community College of Denver. I then graduated in December 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services with a concentration in nonprofit and minors in Psychology and Language, Spanish. I am also a graduate of the LEND Fellow program at JFK Partners, University of Colorado Anschutz Campus, June 2017. I am in my final two semesters of my master's in clinical mental health counseling, and I look forward to serving individuals with disabilities and their families in this capacity.

Hi! My name is Adrienne Paradis and I am mom to an 18-year-old son who has Dup15q syndrome. Navigating this journey has not been easy, but I have leaned on, and have learned so much from veteran parents here at P2P. I am currently the Family Intake Manager for Dup15q Alliance where I have the privilege of talking to newly diagnosed families from all over the world as they start their journey. I am honored to have been able to serve on the P2P-CO Advisory Board since the Spring of 2023.

Hi, I’m Katie Beglin! I have two young daughters, and my oldest is Autistic. I have been a Support Parent with P2P since 2022 and love connecting with parents/caregivers who are looking to find resources and support for their Neurodiverse children. My daughter inspired me to return to graduate school and learn more about development, neurodiversity, and learning. I will graduate with my MA in Special Education in 2025 from CU-Denver. I plan to work as an IEP advocate and family consultant after graduation.

Striving to create an inclusive equitable community as a neurodiverse mom of two neurodiverse boys. I operate an agency providing services through DVR and HCBS-Waivers. I've served on numerous commissions & committees; as Executive Director of The Arc of Larimer County and as Associate Director of The Arc of Colorado. I have completed all of the coursework for a PhD in Family Studies. Proud to be part of P2P-CO as a member, Project Coordinator and now Advisory Board Member.