Every Voice Helps Light the Way
At North Star Education Partners, we believe that meaningful change begins by listening.
The Lakes Region Community Listening Project is an initiative designed to better understand the experiences, challenges, and needs of families, educators, healthcare providers, therapists, and community organizations involved in supporting children with disabilities and diverse learning needs.
Rather than making assumptions about what our community needs, we are asking the people who live and work here to share their perspectives. By listening to these voices, we hope to identify gaps in support, celebrate what's working well, and build stronger partnerships throughout the Lakes Region.
The information gathered through this project will help inform future educational resources, workshops, family supports, and collaborative community initiatives developed by North Star Education Partners.
Whether you are a parent navigating special education, an educator supporting students, or a professional serving children and families, your perspective matters.
Together, we can create a community where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Why We're Listening
Our goal is to better understand:
The experiences of families navigating special education.
Barriers that make accessing support more difficult.
Community strengths and successful partnerships.
Opportunities for collaboration between families, schools, and service providers.
Resources and educational opportunities that would benefit our community.
Every response helps paint a clearer picture of what families need and how our community can work together to meet those needs.
Who Can Participate?
We invite participation from:
👨👩👧 Parents and caregivers of children with disabilities or learning differences
🍎 Teachers, school staff, administrators, and related service providers
🤝 Pediatricians, therapists, counselors, social workers, and community organizations serving children and families
What Will Happen With the Results?
Survey responses will be combined and reviewed to identify common themes and priorities. Individual responses will remain confidential.
The findings will be used to:
Develop community-informed educational resources.
Guide future workshops and family learning opportunities.
Strengthen collaboration between families and professionals.
Inform future services offered through North Star Education Partners.
Share a summary of community needs with participants and local partners.
This project is about listening first—because the best solutions are built together.
The Lakes Region Community Listening Project
We're listening before we lead.
Help shape future educational resources by sharing your experiences.
The Lakes Region Community Listening Project is more than a survey—it is the beginning of a conversation. By listening to one another, we can strengthen partnerships, build trust, and create a community where every child and every family feels supported.