At PWSA | USA, we believe education is the cornerstone of effective care. For professionals working with individuals living with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) – from educators and healthcare providers to law enforcement and residential caregivers – knowledge builds the confidence needed to create safe and empowering environments.
Navigating the complexities of PWS requires not only expertise but also trust. That’s why PWSA | USA’s training programs, led by Senior Family Support Counselor and Trainer Kim Tula, MS, CSW, are revolutionizing the way professionals approach care for individuals with PWS.
“Our training programs are tailored for residential homes, schools, law enforcement, and medical teams,” Kim explains. “We support providers at all levels, whether they’re existing Prader-Willi providers or new teams looking to serve people with PWS. From helping schools ensure safety measures while fostering independence to training hospital staff and first responders, our goal is to provide the tools needed for individuals with PWS to thrive.”
Knowledge is Power
For Nicole Tingley and her team at DD Homes Network, which oversees two group homes for individuals with PWS, the impact of Kim’s training has been transformative.
“Bringing Kim’s knowledge and experience into my team has been invaluable,” Nicole shares. “Knowledge is power – it fuels my team to be successful in working with this population. Without Kim’s guidance, we wouldn’t have built the trust and rapport we now have with families. Her trainings boost our confidence, ensuring we provide the right care every day.”
Nicole emphasizes that the insights gained from PWSA | USA’s trainings extend beyond logistics like menus and schedules; they instill a deeper sense of purpose and competence in her team. “After every training session, I see a shift in my staff. They feel more confident, they know they’re doing it right, and they stick to the programming with renewed commitment. That’s the power of knowledge.”
Building Safer, More Supportive Communities
Kim’s work goes beyond residential care, touching on critical areas like education and emergency response. “I’ve had hospital staff, nursing teams, and even law enforcement tell me, ‘We didn’t realize that,’ or ‘Things would be so much better if we tried this,’” Kim says. “From understanding processing issues in schools to equipping first responders and hospital staff with strategies for medical crises, these trainings provide practical solutions that make a real difference.”
This feedback underscores the far-reaching value of these programs. As Nicole shares, “From a professional level, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed being part of PWSA | USA’s network. Bringing Kim into our team has been a game-changer – it’s a definite benefit to any organization working with PWS.”
Partner with PWSA | USA for Training
Are you interested in bringing PWSA | USA’s transformative training programs to your school, group home, medical team, or law enforcement agency? Visit PWSA | USA’s provider training webpage and fill out our request form to get started.
By working with PWSA | USA, you can equip your team with the tools and knowledge needed to provide the best care for individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome, building safer and more inclusive communities. Together, we can make a lasting impact.
Jennifer Bolander has been serving as a Special Education Specialist for PWSA (USA) since October of 2015. She is a graduate of John Carroll University and lives in Ohio with her husband Brad and daughters Kate (17), and Sophia (13) who was born with PWS.
Perry A. Zirkel has written more than 1,500 publications on various aspects of school law, with an emphasis on legal issues in special education. He writes a regular column for NAESP’s Principal magazine and NASP’s Communiqué newsletter, and he did so previously for Phi Delta Kappan and Teaching Exceptional Children.
Evan has worked with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) since 2007 primarily as a Crisis Intervention and Family Support Counselor. Evans works with parents and schools to foster strong collaborative relationships and appropriate educational environments for students with PWS.
Dr. Amy McTighe is the PWS Program Manager and Inpatient Teacher at the Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. She graduated from Duquesne University receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education with a focus on elementary education, special education, and language arts.
Staci Zimmerman works for Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Colorado as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) consultant. Staci collaborates with the PWS multi-disciplinary clinic at the Children’s Hospital in Denver supporting families and school districts around the United States with their child’s Individual Educational Plan.
Founded in 2001, SDLC is a non-profit legal services organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities throughout the South. It partners with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Protection and Advocacy (P&A) programs, Legal Services Corporations (LSC) and disability organizations on major, systemic disability rights issues involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the federal Medicaid Act. Recently in November 2014, Jim retired.