Four individual images of children playing outside

Our News You Can Use weekly e-newsletter has been redesigned and entitled The Bridge.

The Bridge is your new access to SPAN news, events, and resources.

November 2, 2021 | Issue 4 (Click to view as a webpage)

Reframing Possibilities: Meaningful Inclusion-

Not If But How

With Special Guest Speaker:

Priya Lalvani, author of: Constructing the (M)other: Narratives of Disability, Motherhood, and the Politics of Normal

Tuesday, November 16,2021 7:00 pm

Trazando posibilidades:

Inclusión:no si es posible, sino cómo*

martes, 16 de noviembre @ 7:00 pm

REGÍSTRESE AQUÍ

*Interpretación simultánea en español disponible.

Para obtener más información, contactar

Brenda L. Figueroa: bfigueroa@spanadvocacy.org

START- Engaging Parents of Students with Disabilities (START-EPSD) Project is a partnership between the New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Special Education (NJOSE) and SPAN Parent Advocacy Network

Important News

FDA Authorizes COVID Vaccine for Younger Children

The Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine was authorized for safe use in children ages 5 -11 on Friday. Final approval from the CDC is expected early this week. New Jersey is prepared to begin offering vaccines in two doses 3 weeks apart to children. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed children ages 5-11 are "at least as likely" as adults to contract the virus. Hospitalization rates are three times higher among children of color than among white children.

New Resource

Early childhood is our greatest opportunity to improve lifelong health and well-being. Health, brain development, and physical and social emotional development are critical to improving future well-being.

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers a communication toolkit, including social sharables, posters and graphics to facilitate communicating with partners and legislators.

You are encouraged to download, share, and post in your networks.

Upcoming Events

See what's happening this month

SPAN offers a variety of learning opportunities for families and the professionals who work with them. Check out our Event Calendar for details and registration links.

Upcoming Events include:

Youth Family Engagement and Vocational Rehabilitation
Student-Led IEPs: Path to Success
Health Advocacy - co-hosted by Developmental Disabilities Mental Health Learning Community
Assistive Technology: Supporting Executive Function and Organization
And more!

COVID Vaccine Updates

All workers in child care facilities are required to be fully vaccinated or subject to ongoing weekly testing.

This requirement went into effect on November 1, 2021 and includes:

Administrators
Teachers
Individuals providing food, custodial, and administrative services
Contractors, providers, and volunteers whose duties require them to make regular visits to child care facilities.

See the full list of vaccination requirements here

New Jersey has a free, secure app - COVID Alert NJ

Learn more and download

the app here

FEMA Webinar: Children with Disabilities and Special Healthcare Needs

Thursday, November 4th, 2021

1:30pm-3:00pm ET

This webinar will highlight the unique efforts required to prepare children with disabilities and special healthcare needs for emergencies.

Peg Kinsell, Institutional Policy Director at SPAN, is a presenter

Topics will include:

how children with disabilities and special healthcare needs are impacted by emergencies
current best practices in the emergency management field
how children with disabilities and special healthcare needs can be included in emergency plans

Who Should Attend? Parents, caretakers, early childhood and education program administrators and teachers, youth-serving organizations, emergency planners and other members of the whole community.

SPAN Parent Advocacy Network | spanadvocacy.org

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