Today we mourn the loss of two inspiring leaders who have left an indelible mark on the community of parents raising children with disabilities.
Paula Goldberg was the Executive Director of the PACER Center in Minnesota and a pioneer in the Parent Center movement. She was a strong advocate whose work benefitted countless children and families. Paula leaves behind a strong legacy and a host of colleagues across the Parent Center network that will carry on her good work.
Julie Beckett was an active child and family advocate and co-founder of Family Voices. Julie’s advocacy on behalf of her own child, Katie, led to her daughter being the recipient of the first Medicaid Home and Community Based Services waiver, granted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in 1981. In the years since, the “Katie Beckett waiver” has had a profound impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families by enabling children and adults to remain in their homes and receive services, avoiding institutional care settings.