Children benefit when the adults in their lives are able to see “the big picture” by understanding them as unique individuals. Parents and other caregivers help to “paint the big picture” when they share who their child is, what they can do, and how others can relate and respond to the child.

Parents know many things about who their children are and what their children can do. After all, parents are their children’s first teachers! When parents share what they know about their children, school staff are better able to support their students to learn, participate and succeed.

Understood is a nonprofit organization that was founded after Fred and Nancy Poses discovered that their son, Max, has thinking and learning differences. They gained many experiences while learning to advocate for Max, and he is now thriving because of the support they were able to provide when he was younger. For years, Fred and Nancy have funneled their expertise and resources into Understood with the goal of providing parents and caregivers with tools and information that were not always readily available. Check out some of their resources below:

This guide provides information and tools needed to be an informed and effective advocate for your child during your child’s years in school, from preschool through high school. The focus of the Guide is the federal special education law known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that promises each child with a disability a “free, appropriate, public education.” This Guide is not designed to be read from beginning to end; instead it is designed so that a reader can get quickly to the part that will be most helpful at any given time.

Pre-ETS Star Program

Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC) and Disability:IN North Carolina (DI-NC) are pleased to announce that we will be offering the STAR Program, a Vocational Rehabilitation Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) to students with disabilities (ages 16-21) beginning in Fall, 2022. The STAR program will serve students with disabilities from across the entire state, including students who attend public schools, charter schools and students who are homeschooled.

The STAR Program provides classes for students in:

• Self-Advocacy Skills for Work and Life
• Career Exploration & Skill Alignment
• Work Readiness Training
• Career Mentoring
• 
  

The STAR Program is ideal for:

• Students with Disabilities Ages 16-21
• Students with an IEP or 504 Plan
• Students with limited access to Pre-ETS Services through their school
• Students who enjoy learning online
• 
  

While open to all students with disabilities ages 16-21 with an IEP or 504 Plan, preference will be given to students who do not have access to Pre-ETS through their current school. Additionally, STAR will also offer unique opportunities for parents and caregivers to partner with their student(s) in learning and planning for the post-high school transition.

Space is limited and all students will be required to meet the eligibility criteria to be considered for the STAR Program. Please contact Debra Pickens for more information: dpickens@ecacmail.org

For more information contact Debra Pickens - dpickens@ecacmail.org.

1-800-962-6817