Board of Directors
Debbie Cottonware, Chairwoman
Debbie has spent 42 years in education, recognized for her dedication to supporting children with special needs. Often chosen by special education professionals to work with students requiring additional care, she has always prioritized meeting children at their level to help them succeed. Her personal journey, including supporting her son through special education services and celebrating her grandson’s Early Intervention success, has fueled her passion. Now, as a board member of Parents Helping Parents of Wyoming, she is committed to empowering other families in advocating for their own special needs children and navigating the complexities of educational support.
Samantha Grant, Chair Elect
Sam joined the PHP board position to help children and their parents with their superpowers. She is passionate about advocating for equal opportunities and inclusivity for all individuals. She believes that every child, regardless of their abilities, deserves access to quality education, support services, and opportunities to thrive. By serving on this board, Sam hopes to contribute skills and experiences to ensure they have the resources they need to reach their full potential. She, too, is a parent of a child with superpowers #autismawareness.
Jessie Reeves, Secretary / Treasurer
Jessie is a passionate advocate in Cheyenne, WY, inspired by her two sons with disabilities. A former PHP/PIC client, she now studies cosmetology to help young individuals with disabilities learn self-grooming skills. Actively involved with the local school district, she empowers parents about IEP rights and collaborates with businesses to create "Sensory Friendly" experiences. Additionally, she created "Disability Awareness Stickers" to promote understanding in the community and regularly attends support meetings to assist families with diagnoses and resources.
Adriana Noya
As a parent of a child with a disability, Adrianna serves on the PHP board to help families navigate special education, understand their rights, and advocate effectively for their children.
Daniel Blair
With five years of experience as a paraprofessional in special education and as a father of two children with IEPs, I deeply understand the critical role of advocacy and support in education. Currently, I work at the Learning Center, where I deliver wraparound services to ensure that every child has access to the resources they need to thrive. Additionally, I serve as a job coach for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), helping individuals with disabilities achieve their career goals. I am passionate about Parents Helping Parents, an exceptional organization that empowers families to navigate the IEP process with confidence, providing essential support and guidance to help them succeed in the special education system.
Patrick D’Alessandro
Patrick has been teaching Kindergarten for the last 15 years and yet didn't understand the unique difficulties the parents of Special Needs children face when looking to get their child the services they are legally entitled to until my wife Jennifer and I were blessed to have the opportunity to adopt our son with Down Syndrome a little over four years ago. Unfortunately, he now understands that school services can be wonderful, but sometimes people may need coaxing to make them happen. He hopes to play a small role in assisting parents with their
Special Needs children.