Finishing 2020 strong - Exercise Your Power!

Parents of Children with Special Needs Need Special Skills

December 2020

AJE news, events and resources to help you finish 2020 feeling informed and ready to exercise your power.

This has and continues to be a challenging year. As we approach the end of 2020, we are providing families with information and updates you can use. This edition includes -

Lots of information about EdFEST, which is online this year and happening this Saturday, December 12th from 11am to 2pm.

Several opportunities for parents to share their experiences and concerns with researchers and policymakers (including one on the impact of of distance learning on student and family mental health that closes today).

Upcoming AJE events, and well as events in the community (don't forget you can always find events on our online calendar).

A new site from LawHelp.org that offers a one-stop shop for all your DC COVID-19 Legal Resources.

Two online events with Dr. Fauci about COVID-19 and the Black Community.

A new resource from AJE to help children and youth access telehealth services.

EdFEST is online for 2020, and happening this Saturday!

Where can families find free and low cost immunizations?

Many families have avoided or not had access to well-child care doctor visits during the emergency period. Due to this, many children in the District are not fully immunized, creating a high risk for an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable infectious disease among students, such as the measles. DC Health has advised that such an outbreak of another infectious disease could be as much, or even more, of a public health risk for school communities than COVID-19 itself, and would add another complex obstacle for school operations this year.

Due to the dangerously low pediatric immunization compliance and in an effort to protect the health and safety of all students, DC Health and OSSE have advised that all schools are to adopt an Immunization Policy for In-Person Attendance beginning in the 2020-21 school year.

If you have questions about vaccines, this AJE Webinar with Mary's Center can help answer your medical and legal questions. You can also find a list of immunization providers here.

Don't have health insurance?

Check out the DC Health Link , or the DC Office of Healthcare Finance to apply for Medicaid programs . Did you know that in DC Medicaid expansion covers: Adults without Dependent Children (ages 21-64), Children (0-18), Children aged 19-20, Parent/Caretaker Relatives and Pregnant Women?

You might be eligible for coverage.

AJE Resources to help families prepare for EdFEST 2020

Just like we have in previous years, AJE will be at EdFEST sharing resources, answering questions and making sure parents have what they need to advocate for their children.

Here are some of our favorite resources for families that we hope will help you navigate selecting a school for the 2021-2022 school year.

Good questions to ask when talking to schools about your child with a disability or special health care need.

What parents need to know about the PCSB Complaint process with PCSB staff.

What parents need to know about Special Education and Charter Schools with the DC Special Education Cooperative.

New Resource for AJE families

Upcoming AJE events

Legal Resources for DC residents

There is a new COVID-19 resources page at www.LawHelp.org/DC that has information about legal resources and social services available in the District of Columbia during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

This “one-stop-shop” of useful information can help answer questions about:

Important Dates for the 2020 School Lottery

Surveys!

Parent voice and experience is important, and during the COVID-19 response, surveys have been used as a safe way to capture parents' voices. Here are a few surveys AJE families might be interested in -

The National Federation of Families is attempting to create a picture of how virtual education is impacting the mental health of families and would love to hear from as many families as possible. Link to the Survey –https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EducationandMentalHealth (survey closes 12/8)

This survey will tell Family Voices about your access to, confidence in and concerns about Telehealth. Link to the Survey- https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FamilyReadiness

The District of Columbia Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) is in the process of developing a new Five-Year State Plan (State Plan) for fiscal years 2022–2026 to guide the future direction and goals of the DDC Plan. DDC is asking advocates with developmental disabilities, family members, and professionals who support people with developmental disabilities to complete a brief survey. Link to the Survey, more information and alternative means to participate are here - https://www.aje-dc.org/2020/12/03/survey-for-the-district-of-columbia-developmental-disabilities-councils-new-five-year-state-plan/

Researchers at Ohio State University and Rush University would like to invite you to participate in a survey about topics and priorities for early intervention research in the autism community. As autistic people, parents, providers, and researchers, we believe you have important information to contribute to this topic. The goal of this survey is to learn more about perspectives on research and early intervention from adults with autism, parents and caregivers, autism providers and professionals, and researchers in the autism community. You can access this survey and complete here: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_03phuo9HyiIqsQZ If you think you might be interested in participating and want to learn more about this research study before taking the study survey, please contact Alayna Borowy at Ohio State University by e-mail (alayna.borowy@osumc.edu) or phone (614-366-3828).

About AJE:

Advocates for Justice and Education is the federally designated Parent Training and Information Center and the Health Information Center for DC. AJE seeks to empower families, youth, and the community to be effective advocates to ensure that children and youth, particularly those who have special needs, receive access to appropriate education and health services.

Our passion is empowering families by equipping parents and students with disabilities with the tools they need to be their own advocates.

Have questions? We are here to educate, advocate and empower. Contact us today!

Advocates for Justice and Education, Inc.| (P) 202.678.8060 | (F) 202.678.8062 |

Email: information@aje-dc.org | Website: www.aje-dc.org

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