PAVE History

The vision of PAVE began in 1979 when Pierce County was identified as one of six (6) locations in the United States to receive training regarding Special Education rights of children and parents. Thirty parents received this training. Their goal was for a parent-directed organization to provide peer training to families throughout Washington State. They forged the path with their hopes for their children and for all children within Washington who had disabilities. To help this movement, a clearinghouse named Closer Look (later known as NICHCY) provided intense training for these pioneering parents on the laws. This was the beginning of the PAVE parent movement within Washington State.