About Us

Our mission is to defend, support, and advance the right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their minor children through research, education, advocacy, and legal representation.

Founded in 2014, The Parental Rights Foundation is a nationwide research, educational, advocacy, and legal organization.

Goals

We believe that one blessing of liberty is the freedom of parents to raise their children without undue government interference. Our vision is to secure this liberty by educating those in government and the public at large on the important role that parental rights holds in ensuring that the freedom, opportunity, prosperity, and civil society of America continue to flourish from generation to generation.

The Parental Rights Foundation works to inform Americans of the growing contest between government and families regarding who should be the primary decision maker for children. Parental rights are good for children, good for families, and good for society.

ParentalRights.org and The Parental Rights Foundation

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The Parental Rights Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to educate policymakers and the general public in order to raise awareness of parental rights. We vigorously promote parental rights through nationwide research, educational, advocacy, and legal efforts.

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ParentalRights.org is a related nonprofit political action organization. While ParentalRights.org also works to raise awareness of these issues in the public eye, its status as a (c)(4) means its non-tax-deductible dollars can fund lobbying efforts to pass legislation that will protect families by preserving parental rights, and stop legislation that endangers those rights.

Our Work

Producing Rigorous Policy Research and Analysis

The Parental Rights Foundation gathers and analyzes data from official, reputable sites to produce research memos and publications useful for driving policy to protect parental rights.

Building Coalitions

The Parental Rights Foundation works to build coalitions with policy makers, donors, organizations, and others who share our vision.

Advocating Solutions

The Parental Rights Foundation advocates solutions and comprehensive responses to parental rights, even when opposed by powerful interests.

Legal

The Parental Rights Foundation provides legal analysis, amicus briefs, and litigation support.

Our Structure & Funding

Governed by an independent Board of Directors, The Parental Rights Foundation is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt institution. The Foundation relies on the private financial support of the general public, individuals, foundations, and corporations for its income and accepts no government funds.

Parental Rights Foundation Board & Staff

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Ethan Demme (Board Member)

Ethan Demme is the President and CEO of Demme Learning, as well as an elected member of the board of supervisors in East Lampeter Township (Pennsylvania).

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William Estrada (President)

William began his career with HSLDA, and he has served in the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In November of 2021, Will was selected by the Board of ParentalRights.org to serve as the first full-time president of ParentalRights.org and the Parental Rights Foundation.

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Allison Folmar, J.D. (Board Member)

Civil rights attorney Allison Folmar garnered international attention as she passionately fought numerous charges brought against Michigan mother Maryanne Godboldo.

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Rick Green (Board Member)

Rick Green is a former Texas State Representative, national speaker, author, and radio host.

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Don Howe (Board Member) and Vickie Howe (Board Member)

Don Howe, CLU, ChFC, is a Vietnam-era veteran of the United States Air Force and the Founder and CEO of Howe Insurance Services in Caldwell, Ohio. In 2003, he and Vickie founded Shepherd’s Retreat.

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Dr. Stephen M. Krason, Ph.D. (Board Member)

Dr. Stephen M. Krason is Professor of Political Science and Legal Studies and Director of the Political Science Program at Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has authored and edited numerous books and volumes.

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Grover Norquist, M.B.A. (Board Member)

For more than two decades, Grover Norquist has been one of DC’s most effective issues-management strategists.

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John K. Rosemond, M.S. (Board Member)

John Rosemond, M.S., is one of America’s most well-known and respected parenting experts.

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Dr. Rodger Sayre, M.D. (Board Member)

Rodger Sayre, M.D., FAAFP, has a busy family practice and is also a school physician. He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Family Medicine and member of the American College of Sports Medicine.

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J. Michael Smith, J.D. (Board Member)

A licensed attorney in CA, DC, and VA, Michael Smith is the President and co-founder of Home School Legal Defense Association.

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Paul A. Suarez, M.D. (Board Member)

Paul A. Suarez, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon and a father to seven—four biologically and three through international adoption from China.

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Vickie Suarez (Board Member)

Vickie served as the volunteer Pennsylvania State Coordinator for ParentalRights.org for eight years (and continues to serve in that capacity) before joining the board in 2018.

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James Mason, J.D. (Chairman of the Board)

Jim Mason serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Parental Rights Foundation while working as Vice President of Litigation and Development at the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA).

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Steve G. Oberlander, C.P.A. (Treasurer)

Steve Oberlander has a long history of serving as Chief Financial Officer or in other accounting capacities for various organizations.

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Michael Ramey, M.Div. (Secretary, Executive Director)

Michael Ramey is the Executive Director for ParentalRights.org as well as the Director of Communications & Research.

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Jim Sullivan (Board Member)

Jim Sullivan owns a consulting firm that provides education, consultation, and opportunities within the financial arena. He advises business owners throughout the United States.

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Patti Sullivan (Board Member)

Patti Sullivan has worked in organizational management, consulting, and leadership development for thirty-five years. 

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William Wagner (Board Member)

William Wagner is a distinguished Professor Emeritus of Law at the Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, and president of Salt and Light Global.