Chartered in 1963, NWGCA is a statewide, nonprofit organization of people with an interest in meeting the special needs of high capable children. It offers support, advice, and resources to parents who need their school districts to provide appropriate services for gifted children as well as these same services for parents who want to hone their parenting of gifted skills.
Mission of Northwest Gifted Child Association
The purpose of Northwest Gifted Child Association is to inform the public of the special needs of gifted children by:
- supporting and informing parents of the unique characteristics and academic, social and emotional needs of gifted children;
- disseminating information;
- encouraging the development and maintenance of programs responsive to the needs of gifted children;
- supporting legislative efforts on behalf of gifted children;
- and by supporting any policies or practices which promote these programs.
Major Activities:
- Three newsletters a year with information to help parents and their gifted children manage giftedness
- Support groups of parents of gifted educate themselves and advocate within their school districts and at the state level for appropriate services for gifted students
- Provide speakers
- Share resources and opportunities for gifted children and their families
- Provide individual advice and guidance for parents asking for help
- Connect parents of gifted through a variety of events and media, including the annual CONNECTIONS Conference, a Facebook page, and website.
- Represent the views of gifted students with policy makers, including the Governor, state legislature, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and school boards.
- Participant of Washington Coalition of Gifted Education, the lobbying organization for gifted education
Why Join?
Parents of gifted rarely have the opportunity to get information about the specific academic, emotional and social needs of their gifted children. They have even less opportunity to talk with other adults candidly about the delights and the challenges of raising truly bright children. Northwest Gifted Child Association is the only state organization focused on making these opportunities available to parents of gifted.
Parents also need a voice at the state level as well as a way to connect on a local level. Parents are vital to ensure gifted programming remains a priority with school districts and the State of Washington.
