03/26/2026
When Shanise joined St. Louis Arc's Parents Learning Together (PLT) program, she was pregnant and seeking support to build a better future for her family. PLT helps parents who have intellectual or developmental disabilities to safely and successfully raise their children and to support the children’s health, education and development. Through her work with PLT, Shanise grew more confident in her role as a parent and learned how to meet her son Cornell’s needs. She found stable housing, kept up with medical visits, and worked through the steps to get Cornell speech and occupational therapy. She also supported his enrollment in special education services through the St. Louis Public Schools. Shanise’s willingness to learn, ask questions, and speak up for her son has made a big difference in his development.
Shanise’s growth as a parent has been at the heart of her success. She is always there for her child at appointments, school meetings, and every step in between. She has built a strong, stable home and continues to set new goals, including going to college to study culinary arts. Her dream is to one day own a restaurant and buy a house for her family. Her story is a reminder that with the right support, persistence, and care, parents can create lasting change for their children.
To learn more about Parents Learning Together, visit: https://www.slarc.org/programs/adulthood/parents-disability/
To learn more about the impact of DD Resources' funding, check out our annual report at:https://stldd.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/DDRFY25-Annual-Reportc.pdf
