Dear PEAL Community,
As we close out 2025, I’m feeling especially grateful. This year marks 20 years of PEAL's impact, and this week also marks 50 years since the signing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a landmark promise that children with disabilities have a right to a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. These milestones are deeply connected. IDEA opened doors for generations of students and families. PEAL exists to help keep those doors open and to make sure families have the knowledge, tools, and partnership they need to walk through them with confidence.
For two decades, PEAL has stood on a simple truth: families are essential partners, and children and youth thrive when they are understood, supported, and included. Every day, we work beside families as they navigate education and health systems from early intervention and special education to school mental health supports and the complex care needs of children and youth with special health care needs (CSHYN). We’re proud to offer clear information, steady guidance, and advocacy tools that help families feel supported in the classroom, in care settings, and in community life.
What we’ve built together is powerful: families empowered, youth supported, and systems steadily shifting toward access, respect and belonging. Behind every training, call, workshop, and resource is a story of someone finding a path forward. Those moments are PEAL’s heartbeat.
What Comes Next, Together
Even with the progress we’re celebrating, we know the work isn’t finished. Families still face barriers in both education and health. Systems still need to become more welcoming, accessible, and equitable. And the spirit of IDEA, that every child belongs and can learn, still needs champions every day.
Looking ahead, PEAL will continue ensuring families feel informed, connected, and supported in both education and health. If you believe in this work, I invite you to give in support of what comes next. Your gift helps us provide one-to-one support, offer low no-cost trainings and resources, and strengthen inclusive family leadership across Pennsylvania.
Would you consider making a gift to help carry this work forward?
And a quick note to help your gift go even further: PEAL now has a Double the Donation tool right on our donation page. It only takes a moment to check whether your employer offers a matching gift program and if they do, your contribution could be doubled (or even tripled) at no extra cost to you. Before you give or right after you donate, I encourage you to check your employer match.
Thank you for 20 years of trust, partnership, and shared purpose, and for helping keep the promise of IDEA real for families today. Here’s to what we’ll build together next.
With gratitude,
Meredith
Meredith Peterson
Executive Director, PEAL Center
