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Exceptional lives Impact Report:
Bringing families and schools together to help children with disabilities thrive.
ETTER FROM OUR FOUNDER
r Friends,
s me with immense gratitude to share our first Impact ort. Ten years ago, Exceptional Lives began with a ple idea: to guide families navigating the world of bilities, learning differences, or mental health issues at started as a simple idea has grown into an amazing mmunity that's making a real difference in the lives of so y people.
“We know that strong partnerships between families and educators are key to the success of students with disabilities.”
Over the past year, we've expanded our focus to include resources and training for educators and schools. We've also made our content more inclusive by adding Spanish-language materials and offering different ways to access information, including videos and other resources. This effort has led to great growth and we've helped hundreds of caregivers find useful resources. Our website has had over 1.5 million page views in the last 5 years!
However, the true measure of our impact lies in the stories within this report I hope you are inspired by the caregivers who found answers and the educators who gained new tools.
None of this would have happened without the amazing staff and board at Exceptional Lives. We are also grateful to the families and educators who have helped guide our work and shape our strategy Exceptional Lives wouldn’t be what it is without you And most of all, thank you to our supporters and donors for believing in us.
Thank you for being a part of the Exceptional Lives journey.
With sincere appreciation,
Anne Marcus, Founder Exceptional Lives
TTER FROM HE BOARD
ends and Supporters, a decade, Exceptional Lives has been a lifeline for navigating the complex world of disabilities. As both d Chair and a parent of a son with disabilities, I y understand the overwhelming challenges— ring healthcare systems, accessing educational , and advocating for our children.
“When my son was young, I often felt lost and isolated trying to figure out the system alone. A resource like Exceptional Lives would have made an immeasurable difference in our journey.”
As my son transitioned into adulthood, the challenges began anew The complexities didn't end they evolved and the need for reliable support became even more critical.
Exceptional Lives empowers families with clear, compassionate guidance and practical tools like our curated Disability Service Finder and personalized support by our trained team We ensure every family feels heard, supported, and valued, especially those who might otherwise be overlooked due to language barriers or because they have disabilities themselves.
I'm particularly excited about our recent collaboration with schools to enhance special education family engagement In these uncertain times, our mission is more crucial than ever With your help, we can extend our reach so that every family, regardless of background or circumstance, can access the resources they need to help their children thrive. Thank you for standing with us. Together, we're building a brighter future for all children and families.
David Sargent
LETTER FROM THE BOARD
a dedicated Board member and a seasoned professional pecial education, I've witnessed firsthand the sformative impact of Exceptional Lives on families gating the complexities of special education systems
cently earned my Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), and I'm icularly proud of our collaboration with schools to ance special education family engagement.
“Educators often aren't taught how to engage with families meaningfully, and Exceptional Lives is bridging that gap. “
We've presented to over 1,100 educators on moving from mere involvement to genuine engagement a difference described by a colleague as "the difference between just showing up and actually having a relationship." This shift makes a profound impact on caregivers, educators, and most importantly, the students they serve
In my professional capacity, I work with families who often feel marginalized and misunderstood. Many resources are unnecessarily complex and lack actionable steps. Exceptional Lives stands out by providing clear, compassionate guidance and practical tools like our curated Disability Service Finder Our personalized support is mobile-accessible, even in areas with limited broadband, and always written in plain language so every family feels heard and valued.
Thank you for standing with us Together, we're building a brighter future for all children and families.
Dr. Darlika Boines
EXCEPTIONAL LIVES
BY THE NUMBERS
1,831,891
Website Visits
6,800
Newsletter Subscribers
1,416 FROM YEARS 2020-2024
Educators Trained
2,273
Family Helpline Assists
3,065 Disability Services Finder Providers
650
SPEDTopia Subscribers (Special Ed family engagement resources for educators)
educators trained
1,416 found the information easy to understand 96% reported the content help them navigate challenges 98% said they would share the information with others 98%
PARTNERING WITH SCHOOLS TO BUILD SPED FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
Our workshops and trainings have reached thousands of families and educators, providing critical support and tools to help children with disabilities thrive. Currently, we are working with two Louisiana school districts, St. Tammany and St. Bernard, to help them strengthen their engagement with special education families.
Our impact goes beyond helping individual families; we are also strengthening school communities. By working directly with districts, we give educators the tools they need to connect with families, especially those dealing with the challenges of special education. When schools and families work together, students benefit with better attendance, stronger social-emotional skills, and higher engagement.
Services provided to districts
Skill-building
support for your team
Effective Communication for Improved Family Engagement
Positive Beginnings: Successful First IEP Meetings
Collaborative Transition Planning
Understanding the SPED Process for General Educators
IEP Welcome Kit
Communication Check-up
District Landing Page
Coaching/Technical Assistance
WHAT OUR COMMUNITY IS SAYING
SUZANNE LYNCH, M.ED. LEAD TEACHER
DEAF & HARD OF HEARING
PROGRAM
HARRISON CURRICULUM CENTER
ST. TAMMANY PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
“ I cannot fully express to you how excited I was to learn of all of the parent resources and explanations that you have available on your site, especially the Spanish versions. I have already started looking up and printing documents to share with my students’ parents.”
KERRI SOO, SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTOR
ST. TAMMANY PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
“St. Tammany Parish Public Schools Students with Disabilities Department is so excited to be partnering with Exceptional Lives this school year. We have collaborated on some wonderful strategies to improve communication with parents and make them feel fully included as a part of their children’s educational support team.”
TIFFANY BENSON, SENIOR FAMILY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER FAMILIES FIRST
“Exceptional Lives provided a tailored training for Families First, equipping our parents and caregivers with vital resources and strategies to navigate their children's unique needs. The training really empowered our families to advocate effectively, fostering confidence and collaboration that ultimately enhanced the well-being and success of their children.”
DUAL CAPACITY-BUILDING APPROACH TO FAMILY-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS
Our approach is rooted in our personal experiences and guided by Dr. Karen Mapp’s Dual Capacity-Building Framework, a trusted model for building strong school-family partnerships. Listening to and understanding the evolving needs of families and educators is at the heart of what we do. Research shows that improved engagement enhances both academic achievement and social-emotional growth, enabling students to thrive in and beyond the classroom To support these outcomes, we collaborate with school districts to strengthen family-school connections, equip families with essential resources, and provide educators and families with practical tools to work together in support of special education students. To stay closely connected with the communities we serve, we conduct focus groups so that our programs stay remain responsive, relevant, and impactful.
By cultivating these partnerships, Exceptional Lives creates meaningful, lasting impacts on student success, reinforcing our mission to improve educational outcomes for all We believe that when schools and families work together, every child can reach their full potential, creating a ripple effect of positive change across communities.
HELPING EARLY CHILDHOOD PROVIDERS
CONNECT FAMILIES TO EARLY INTERVENTION
Thanks to a grant from the Massachusetts Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, we improved access to Early Intervention for Spanish-speaking families and early childhood providers in Springfield, Lawrence, and Fall River, MA. Over the past year, we trained 161 staff members from six agencies, engaged with over 100 early childhood providers to increase awareness of Early Intervention, distributed more than 5,400 bilingual print resources to families, and launched a Spanish-language version of our Early Childhood Development Hub, which has already reached over 500 users.
staff members trained
6
161 agencies
early childhood providers contacted 100+
5400+
resources disseminated
ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION
Expanding Access for All Families
It is crucial that all families can easily navigate our website and access resources and providers in their area, regardless of their language or background.
One of our most valuable tools is the Exceptional Lives Disability Services Finder This online resource allows users in Louisiana and Massachusetts to search for disability service providers by zip code, diagnosis, language, and other important criteria. Whether families need medical care, therapy, sensory-friendly dentists, or educational services, the Disability Services Finder simplifies the process of locating the right support
To ensure accessibility, we translated the Disability Services Finder, along with our Special Education and Early Childhood guides, into Spanish. Our Spanish-speaking team members are also available to speak directly with caregivers, fostering a welcoming and inclusive experience for all.
“One of my favorite resources is their Disability Service Finder. The Louisiana DOE is proud to partner with Exceptional Lives."
Dr.
Lauren Wells, Louisiana Department of Education Department of Exceptional Learners
38,477
Searches in the Exceptional Lives Disability Services Finder
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS
Thank you to our valued partners for supporting our organization. Your belief in our mission has been a driving force behind our success. Because of your support, we’ve reached thousands of families and educators, offering them the tools they need to navigate the complex world of special education Together, we’ve created real change helping parents become stronger advocates and giving educators the resources to better support their students. We are grateful for your partnership an work together, ensuring that every child with a di
Baton Rouge Area Foundation
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation
Cummings Foundation
Digital Realty Trust
Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation
Huey and Angelina Wilson Foundation
Louisiana Department of Education
State Street Foundation
The 484 Phi Alpha Foundation
Town Fair Tire Foundation
Anonymous
Barrie, John
Collins, Christopher W
Connolly Family
GFWC Lagniappe Women's Club
Hancock, Heather and Nathan
Hooke, David
Kania Foundation, Ed and Ann
Letts, Christine
Leventhal Family Foundation, Sherry & Alan
Lord, Charlie and Blyth
Marcus Family Foundation, Anne and Paul
Mathews, Stuart and Pam
Mayer, Vivian and W. Bogan Quine Fund
Meyer, Ricki
MFS Charitable Fund
Monahan, James & Suzanne
Murray, Benjamin
Orazem Family Foundation
Pelson, Katherine and Mark
Planeta Design Group
Reardon, Kaitlin
Roy, Tanya
Russell, Robin
Sargent, David W
Strauss, Cynthia & Sherr, Harry
The Donald P King Foundation
The Wade Family Foundation
Thompson, Chris
Weinstein, David
Zhong, Ruisi
Anne Punzak Marcus Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Marisa Howard-Karp, MS Chief Operating Officer
Nell Curran, Ph.D. Head of Product
Melody Hernandez, MS Resource Manager, Louisiana
Christina Kozik Community Engagement Specialist
Marjunique Louis UX Strategist
Carey Luckey Family Support Specialist
Julie McKinney, MS Director of Training / Health Literacy Specialist
Sydni Raymond Communications and Marketing Manager
Paul Shafer Data Manager
Darlika Boines Board Member
Carol Raphael, MPA Board Member
David Sargent Board Member
Cynthia Strauss Board Member
exceptionallives.org 1-844-354-1212 info@exceptionallives org