Meet The Staff: Angelica Butler

“Trajectory gave us a roadmap we could personalize.”

My name is Angelica.  I am an American person with West Coast roots who grew up without any experience with special education or disability. I have twin daughters (now 12) who were born at 26 weeks gestation and who spent three months after their birth in the NICU. Both have needed multiple surgeries and therapies. In my early parenting days, I often felt confused, tired, alone, and uncomfortable in my own home. We had multiple providers in and out every day, but while there were plenty of people around physically, it was still very isolating. Doctors and providers spoke about “adjusted age” and “missed milestones.” Their focus was on all the things our girls weren’t doing yet instead of letting them just be and develop in their own time.

When school began, this deficit-based mindset directed our girls into program classrooms that were segregated from the general school community. Seeing my children isolated, and with compassion for my community, I have become passionate about inclusion: equal access to opportunities and resources for those who are historically excluded. Everyone deserves a full life with respect, opportunity, and presumed competence. I believe full inclusion is how we can become better as a society.

I am a Program Specialist at FACT Oregon. In this role, I have learned a lot about disability services, about the principles of IDEA, and how to help parents understand their and their children’s rights. But just as importantly, FACT Oregon has helped me acknowledge and shift my own perspective about disability. Through my onboarding and through the parent leadership training, I began to see how deeply I have personally been affected by ableism and how prevalent it is in society. Learning about “trajectory” was a lightbulb moment for me. Before I was introduced to this concept, our family would take IEP’s year by year without the tools to really consider how each year’s plan would help achieve long-term goals. “Trajectory” gave us a roadmap we could personalize. Now, with this new perspective I’ve gained, my kids’ goals for themselves are firmly in my mind, and I can focus on the supports they need to carve their own path towards those goals!

The most eye-opening part of working at FACT Oregon for me is what it takes to support families through our Support Line. As a statewide agency, we connect with families and community partners across Oregon. Because of this, we are able to clearly see many disparities in who gets what services. But it’s also inspiring to support families wherever they are and through whatever they are navigating. When I can connect with a family who feels lost and I am able to encourage them and help them think through a next step, it’s the best feeling! Sometimes families think that “due process” is their only path forward. Many times, I’m able to guide them through other options to try first. When they see how they might proceed differently, I sense a shift, a moment of hope and energy. It’s amazing to be able to provide that service to families.

Personally, I feel like our family is in a period of growth now. The past two years during COVID have been challenging, and we are slowly getting comfortable being in the world again. But that time has also been helpful in our learning as parents, in helping our kids grow, in seeing how their goals and interests are evolving. With the time we’ve spent with them and the information I’ve learned through FACT Oregon, we both understand now how important it is to let our kids be in the driver’s seat when it comes to what they want. Us moving to the backseat (or passenger seat) allows our kids to take risks and grow!

Angelica Butler, Program Specialist

Angelica in 2010 with her newborn twins.

Advice from Angelica

My advice to families is based on what has helped me most with my daughters, who are entering seventh grade this fall.

For families of an infant or young child with a disability:

o   Understand that a diagnosis does not change your child.

o   Enjoy this time. Do all the things you planned to do with your child.

o   Take time for yourself as you can.

For families of children starting kindergarten:

o   Inclusion, inclusion, inclusion! IDEA says your child should be included in general education settings “to the maximum extent appropriate.” If you have questions about this - and most families do - contact FACT Oregon for support.

o   Remember, it is invaluable for all children to experience diversity in their world!

o   Have your child involved in all parts of their school community.

For families of children entering middle school:

o   Request a transition meeting as early in the school year prior as possible. Things get extremely busy for teams towards the end of the school year.

o   Seamless transitions to middle school involve PLANNING. Request that middle school staff attend so you can ask all your questions.

o   Reach out to other families who have been through it for more tips!