Definition.
Home-school – Sequential program of instruction for the education of a child which takes place in a home which is provided by the child’s parents or by an adult relative of the child designated by the parent.  (Colorado Revised Statutes 22-33-104.5)

Description.
HELP is an association in ministry with home school families.  We are families committed to God’s admonition that we raise our children “in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4) and we diligently and purposefully train our children as exemplified in Deuteronomy 6:6-7.
HELP is not a legal entity.  It cannot sue nor be sued.  HELP is a “not-for-profit” group.  It is not organized for business purposes or profit.  Being a private association HELP reserves the right to refuse or terminate subscriptions.  Biblical guidelines for conflict resolution will be followed.  (Matthew 5:23-24; Romans 14:19)

Philosophy and Purpose.
Christian Home Educators of La Plata County (HELP) is a non-profit, Christian organization, dedicated to providing information, resources and leadership to all families involved in private home-centered education. We believe that parents--committing time and resources to provide their children with an academically excellent education, grounded in proper values--have the potential to affect the very course of our nation as their children grow up to become competent Christian leaders in the years to come. HELP is committed to the advancement of private home education, and considers it part of our mission to help ease the burden of this responsibility for all families in La Plata County, Colorado involved in home-centered education.  

The philosophy of HELP is to strengthen and encourage home-schooling in La Plata County that is Christ centered, consistent with the essential biblical principles of the Christian faith, non-government funded, home based, parent directed, controlled and taught. 
The purpose of HELP is to impart vision that glorifies Jesus Christ, to encourage commitment to home education, to equip parents with confidence and ideas for teaching at home and to support our subscribers in prayer.

Position.
Programs receiving government funding are subject to direct regulation by governmental standards. We understand that the financial pressures faced by families today make publicly subsidized educational programs very attractive.  However, accepting government subsidies forfeits your right to teach your children in the way you desire, and that price is very high indeed.  History has proven that with government funding comes government regulation.

Therefore, HELP’s position on charter schools, public school independent study programs, other government/publicly funded educational programs and formal private schools is as follows:
As stated in HELP’s purpose, our focus is to advance private home education and to ease the burden of those families who desire to privately home-school their children.  Charter schools, public school independent study programs, other government/publicly funded education and formal private school programs are forms of non home based education, and thus falls outside of HELP’s purpose. It is not consistent with our position to disseminate information regarding these programs and their events. 

Although many educational choices exist, HELP advocates the Biblical model where parents exercise direct control and authority over their children’s education. Parents have the right to choose whatever form of education they wish for their children. However, we urge those considering charter schools, public school independent study programs, other government/publicly funded educational programs and formal private school programs to count the cost, making sure they are fully informed.