Challenging Stereotypes.
Raising Expectations.
Improving Outcomes.

Did you know that one in seven children in Arizona has a learning difference? While the majority of these students sit in regular classrooms all day, only 12% are reading at grade level.

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Because Every Child with a
Disability Deserves a Champion

Despite the rising number of students with disabilities, too many students remain unidentified and unsupported. Even those receiving services continue to experience poor outcomes. These students are misunderstood and often left behind.

Champions for Kids is Arizona’s voice for students with disabilities. We are special education experts, professionals, family members, and parents challenging the status quo, and demanding better.

Champion

We are thrilled to announce that Karla Phillips-Krivickas and Champions for Kids have been selected as the 2026 EALA New Champion!

This prestigious honor, awarded by the Educating All Learners Alliance (EALA), includes an unrestricted grant and a year-long mentorship program to help us achieve our strategic goals. We are grateful for this recognition and excited to get started!

Take a look at the incredible work of all the Champions!

Our Focus

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Bringing Champions together to share knowledge and best practices

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Training Champions on Arizona’s laws and special education challenges

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Hosting conferences and professional development sessions

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Mentoring new Champions to serve more students effectively

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Raise Awareness

Our Approach

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Being a leading voice for students with disabilities in Arizona

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Sharing powerful stories with media, policymakers and educators

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Educating the public through briefs, podcasts and social media

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Representing students in key public forums and decision-making spaces

Ready to Make an Impact?

Join our community to make a difference

Number of
Members

300+
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Number of
Organizations

50+
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Students with
disabilities in Arizona

140,000+
Icon Students
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Join Champions for Kids – We Need You

Meaningful change for Arizona children starts with their real classroom experiences. To ensure every school in all 15 counties serves its students well, we rely on your stories to shatter stereotypes, expose real needs, and bring local perspectives to light—especially in overlooked rural communities. Lend your voice, shape policy, and stand up for Arizona students.

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Support the Mission

Your donations directly fund our independent operations, state-level data collection, and our ability to tell our students’ stories.

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Access Resources

Ensuring every child gets the support they deserve takes all of us. Our resource hub blends deep-dive issue briefs and data with accessible blogs, practical updates, and step-by-step guides designed to help families and those who support them.

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View Our Impact

Follow our progress as we move the needle on state- and local-level reform and share student-centered narratives that challenge the status quo and demand better.

Arizona Special Education
Enrollment By Disability (2025)

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About Champions for Kids

Our vision is for every student with a disability in Arizona to have the support and opportunities they need to succeed in school and beyond.

Our mission is to shatter pervasive myths, paving the way for higher expectations for students with disabilities.

Champions for Kids was founded in mid-2025 by a passionate coalition of parents, special education attorneys, family support specialists, and over 30 disability related organizations, committed to transforming Arizona’s education landscape for students with disabilities.

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Testimonials

"In my decades working in government affairs, I have rarely seen dedicated representation for students with disabilities like my son at the Capitol; Champions for Kids is finally filling that long-standing void. It’s an honor to be a Champion and support their efforts."

Brian Murray

Founding Partner at Cornerstone Public Affairs

"Education Forward Arizona is committed to high-quality education and training for all Arizona students to advance the quality of life for all Arizonans. We pursue this mission through strategic partnerships with aligned community organizations and leaders. Working with Champions for Kids ensures that students with disabilities are represented in all we do."

Rich Nickel

President and CEO of Education Forward Arizona

"Champions for Kids has been a force at the policymaking table, strong and professional and always fighting for kids. I remember how difficult the special education journey was for my son, and that was over 25 years ago. It frustrates me to learn that there has been so little improvement in all that time. Sadly, [...]

Camilla Strongin

Founder, The Strongin Group, Government Affairs and Public Policy

"When I needed help navigating my daughter’s graduation, Champions for Kids was there with advice, information and support, but more than thought they gave me the opportunity and courage to speak at a State Board of Education meeting and advocate for all our students."

Janet Walk

Parent

"I have been deeply inspired by the work of Champions for Kids. After decades of advocating for students with disabilities and their families in California, I am grateful to now be part of an Arizona community of like-minded advocates committed to empowering children and families."

Raja Marhaba

Lead Advocate, Unstoppable Advocacy Inc,

"The Arizona disability movement has grown tremendously over the past few years and no organization has had a greater impact on education issues than Champions for Kids. We appreciate having Champions lead this education work. They are committed to ensuring that students with disabilities are not an afterthought in education policy."

John Meyers

Executive Director of the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council

"SARRC was proud to partner with Champions for Kids on the development of these new autism evaluation checklists. Their willingness to listen to providers in the field and translate that feedback into practical, innovative solutions reflects a genuine commitment to improving care for children and families."

Rachel Anderson

Chief Clinical Officer, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center

Champions for Kids gave me the opportunity to bring both my personal and professional experience to the legislature. Together we were able to help HB2074 pass ensuring School Resource Officers will be trained on how to work with students with disabilities.

Nancy Martinez

Parent, Mesa Special Education Alliance

Champions for Kids is invaluable to our work at the Arizona State Board of Education. Their advocacy ensures that students with disabilities are front and center as we make critical policy decisions.

Katherine Haley

President, Arizona State Board of Education

I am proud to be a part of Champions for Kids. This organization is getting things done that no one ever thought could be accomplished before. Thank you for everything you do and continue to do.

Hope Kirsch

Education Attorney

I have attended so many national trainings and events only to discover that Arizona law has unique nuances. Being a part of Champions for Kids gives me the opportunity to stay on top of Arizona policy and even opportunities to inform it.

Heather Bell

Family First Advocates

I’ve gone through many advocacy trainings over the years but with Champions I'm finally receiving opportunities to put them into action.

Therese Derivan

Parent
Become a Champion
Become a Champion

Interested in Becoming a Champion?

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Annual Conference

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Quarterly Virtual Meetings

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State Policy Updates & Opportunities

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In-person & Online Professional Development Training

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Online Resources