Brenda has extensive experience in parent training and leadership by serving on state, local and national advisory councils. She holds a Master's degree in Education and has 15 years of experience working with parents/families of children with disabilities.

Her belief is the best teaching experience is being the parent of a special-needs child and going through the process yourself. There is no book or course of study that prepares parents for real situations that you encounter at IEP meetings or just getting through the school day without waiting for the phone to ring.

Brenda has a young adult son with autism. Brenda believes the special education process should not be so difficult. She holds an unwavering belief that all children can learn and have the right to fully participate in their schools and communities. Parents with information and training have a better opportunity to make well-informed decisions which can assist their children in achieving outcomes from birth to post-secondary skills. Brenda states, "I want parents and families to know that WV PTI is here for them."

West Virginia Parent Training & Information is searching for a trainer in Region 1. This area includes the counties of Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel, Monongalia, Preston, Tyler, Pleasants, Marion,Taylor, Ritchie, Doddridge, Wirt, and Harrison. It is an opportunity to help parents, guardians, foster parents and caregivers with special needs' children to advocate successfully for their children. If you are interested, please call or visit this website under the Contact tab. We are interested in hearing from you. 

Kelly Miller is from Lincoln County and is the mother of two girls, Emily and Allison. Emily, her oldest child, is attending Grad School at Marshall University. Her youngest daughter, Allison, is a Sophomore at Lincoln County High School and has Down Syndrome.

Kelly has been advocating for people with disabilities for 18 years. She has worked in this field in many capacities. She serves on many State boards and Councils as a parent representative, being a voice for her daughter and others.

Kelly previously worked with the WV CED as a Senior Specialist for the Parent Network Project and the Family to Family Program. She has attended many trainings, conferences and seminars to educate herself, in order to give back to the families, she serves. Presently she is enrolled in college, working towards a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Development. She is excited being a Regional Parent Trainer.

Julie Dial is the Regional Parent Trainer for Region 3. Julie lives in Huntington with her husband, Johnny, two sons, Brandon and Dylan plus the dog, Max. She is a graduate of Marshall University with a Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Communications and a minor in Sociology. She currently serves on the West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council, Autism Society of West Virginia's Advisory Board, and Marshall Univerity of Autism Training Center's Advisory Board. Her career in advocacy began when her son, Brandon, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD at five years old. Since this time, she has participated in the Partners in Policy Making Course through the West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council and graduated in 2014.

Julie loves to travel to new places and spends time with her family in the outdoors: hiking, camping, fishing, and kayaking. She enjoys listening to Brandon while he plays the tenor saxophone and piano. The best activity is watching Brandon and Dylan play soccer. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A position is available for a Trainer in Region 4 of the WV PTI's areas. This person would need to be qualified to provide training and information about educational services, IEPs, and handling the parents' questions about the educational plans for their special needs child. If you are interested in applying, please contact our state office at 1-304-472-5697.

Mary Scott is the WVPTI Administrative Assistant. Mary has experience working with children with disabilities and has a family member who has struggled in life with disabilities. Education should not be a struggle for a child with needs. Mary’s personal family experience has inspired her to advocate and assist others who may need help.

Mary has Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Education. She has assisted parents and families who have children with disabilities to gain assistance in the educational system for over thirty years. Now, she is helping children and youth who have disabilities find resources and advocates for their needs by working at WVPTI, Inc. Mary has always believed that it is not the disability that defines you; it is how you deal with the challenges the disability presents to you.