About P2P-CO

Professional Role: As Program Manager, I oversee all of P2P’s programs, including 1:1 support parent matching, our online message boards, and our Zoom parent groups and ambassador program. I work closely with community partners to ensure that families with lived experience have a seat at the table in state and local public health conversations. Personal Role: Mom to two neurodivergent, elementary-age boys, wife of an U.S. Army veteran, and lover of yoga, coffee, and dogs.

Professional role: When a parent requests a 1-on-1 Support Parent match, I facilitate the matching process. On the flip side, I help develop and lead the Support Parent Training program for those who wish to volunteer to support other families. You will also find me hosting P2P-CO’s virtual parent support groups and attending resource fairs and community events. Personal role: Mom of two kids elementary-age kids, including a son who is Autistic and uses an AAC device to communicate.

Professional Role: I oversee programs and support for Spanish-speaking parents of individuals with disabilities, including our Spanish Facebook group, Padre a Padre, and our new WhatsApp community. I also coordinate support parent training and matching in Spanish. Personal Role: I am the mother of two: a wonderful young man with Down syndrome and an energetic teenage daughter. I have been living in Colorado for over 10 years and have spent most of that time working as a community navigator and supporting families who have children with special needs. I worked in marketing and sales for more than 25 years, but after my son was born and I realized how much I needed to learn, I decided to change my life and work with the community, supporting families of those with special needs.

Professional Role: As the Intake & Policy Coordinator for P2P, I first assist with any new member needs as they arise. I also make certain our online groups to run smoothly and ensure that parents are able to connect in that space. Most days I am attending multiple outside agency meetings trying to help our members stay informed of new changes happening at the state and federal level that could impact families of children and adults with disabilities. Personal Role: I live in Fort Collins with my husband, my son and two dogs. You'll find me any weekend possible in my garden obsessing over my flowers or just outside enjoying Colorado. I am the mom to two great kids who are both in college, including a son who was diagnosed with visual impairment at 4 months old.

Professional Role: I facilitate various parent groups, manage P2P's social media accounts, coordinate and facilitate monthly lunch and learns, as well as helping to coordinate in person meetups. You'll see me at the Northern Colorado events. Personal Role: I am an AuDHDer mom with two neurosparkly kiddos: my beautiful youg adult, autistic, trans child who struggles with mental health challenges, and my silly and smart trans AuDHDer teenager. I am a lover of anything having to do with the natural world, and you can usually find me in the backyard reading in my hammock.

Kayla Casteel is a parent and disability advocate dedicated to helping families navigate the complexities of disability services. As the mother of two children, including her 7-year-old, non-speaking son who is autistic, she brings both lived experience and a passion for inclusion to her work. Kayla is a former LEND trainee at JFK Partners and the founder of Wonderstems, a neuro-inclusive flower project that creates enrichment opportunities for day programs. She is especially committed to supporting families in accessing vital resources, with a strong focus on Medicaid advocacy.

Striving to create an inclusive equitable community as a neurodiverse mom of two neurodiverse boys. I operate an agency providing services through DVR and HCBS-Waivers. I've served on numerous commissions & committees; as Executive Director of The Arc of Larimer County and as Associate Director of The Arc of Colorado. I have completed all of the coursework for a PhD in Family Studies. Proud to be part of P2P-CO as a member, Project Coordinator and now Advisory Board Member.

I’m Mary Henneck, a dedicated member of Parent to Parent and an experienced professional with a rich background spanning the corporate, education, and nonprofit sectors. I hold a Bachelor’s in International Relations and French from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, an MBA in Business Management, and an MA in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Denver. My personal journey has been deeply enriched by raising two children with diverse needs: one with cerebral palsy and intellectual disability, and the other highly gifted and talented. This experience has fueled my passion for improving the lives of others, leading me to volunteer on numerous councils, committees, and boards within the disability community. Currently, I reside in Golden with my husband and our Jack Russell Terrier, Sophie. I enjoy spending my time outdoors gardening and hiking, and when indoors, I love cooking, crafting, and working on puzzles.

Proud mom of 3 adult children and Nana to 9 grandchildren, my children and grandchildren experience a variety of learning and mental health needs. In my professional life I was a special education teacher and administrator, always learning from students and families. Having served on many Boards and Councils, I find Parent to Parent is by far my favorite because of the valuable connections we make and the on-going support we provide to families.

My name is Raiko Freeman-Johnson, and I’m one of the new board members for P2P. I’ve been matched with several parents over the last couple of years to support them in different ways. My husband and I have 8 children, 3 of whom have significant medical needs ranging from being immune-compromised, g-tube dependent, autism, cerebral atrophy, and a few other health journeys. We have been a part of the disability community for the past 23 years, and I’ve served on many different boards pertaining to children/adults with special needs. I’m currently in school, finishing my nursing degree, and I look forward to utilizing it in the disability community as well. My love for helping others started as a young child, and I continue to have the same love and passion now. I look forward to being able to contribute to the board of P2P. 

I’m Casey Kanode, a proud dad to my son Forest, who lives with CHARGE Syndrome and the many medical complexities that come with it. Forest’s journey has taught my wife and me resilience, advocacy, and the importance of taking life one day at a time. Before becoming a parent, I earned degrees in Natural Resource Recreation, Film Studies, and Science and Natural History Filmmaking, and worked as a wildlife filmmaker across North America. Today, I serve as a photographer and videographer for a coffee company in Loveland, enjoying the balance it gives me to be home with my family. I’m passionate about ensuring that children like Forest are fully included in their communities, and I’m excited to contribute to P2P’s mission. In my spare time, I enjoy cycling, music, and movies. 

Hi! My name is Adrienne Paradis and I am mom to an 18-year-old son who has Dup15q syndrome. Navigating this journey has not been easy, but I have leaned on, and have learned so much from veteran parents here at P2P. I am currently the Family Intake Manager for Dup15q Alliance where I have the privilege of talking to newly diagnosed families from all over the world as they start their journey. I am honored to have been able to serve on the P2P-CO Advisory Board since the Spring of 2023.

Stephanie Watson Lewis is a nationally recognized advocate, educator, and healthcare leader with more than 33 years of experience advancing equity across medical, educational, and social systems. Her work centers on dismantling structural barriers, strengthening community power, and ensuring that populations receive equitable, culturally grounded, and person-centered care. Stephanie’s advocacy began in the pharmaceutical sector, where she spent 15 years supporting patients with various needs. This work provided her with a deep understanding of complex medical systems, patient navigation challenges, and the urgent need for policy reforms that prioritize access, safety, and informed decision‑making. She went on to dedicate 22 years to maternal health education, serving more than 3,000 families and championing maternal safety, reproductive justice, and equitable perinatal care. Stephanie leads community‑driven initiatives focused on policy engagement, coalition building, and systems transformation. Her work includes developing advocacy strategies, facilitating cross‑sector partnerships, and elevating community voices in decision‑making spaces. She has also spent a decade advancing disability rights, advocating for inclusive practices, accessible services, and equitable medical and educational pathways. Stephanie is the co‑founder of the Honey Bee Health Collective, a nonprofit dedicated to medical and educational advocacy, health education services and support. Her leadership strengthens community capacity, expands access to critical services, and drives policy conversations rooted in lived experience and community expertise. Stephanie also provides services to the private and public sector through her private company Mommy Does All the Things. Where she is the Director of advocacy and parent coaching. She also holds several certifications in wellness practices and is the owner of Yoga Heart and mind. Often described as “the sister of connection,” Stephanie is known for her ability to build trust, mobilize communities, and create pathways for collective healing and systemic change. Stephanie has 4 children and two of them have disabilities; she understands the complexities of having children of various ages and strengths. This is one of the many reasons why she is so passionate about building community, self-advocacy and connection. Her advocacy spans community organizing, policy development, medical and educational navigation, wellness, and civil justice. She brings a powerful combination of professional expertise, lived experience, and unwavering commitment to community making her a trusted leader.