Get involved! 😐

March 2024 newsletter

Dear Families and Friends,

We hope you are enjoying the warm weather and the promise of Spring. We would like to make you aware of SPAN's In-Person Resource Parent (SRP) Training Course starting soon. During SRP training, participants learn about education and civil rights laws and regulations, as well as the special education process and strategies for working with the school team to ensure appropriate educational programs and related services for children and youth. Attendees parents, individuals, young adults, and professionals are provided with extensive training and ongoing support to help them understand the dynamics of the systems that serve children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. The course is provided via six weekly five-hour sessions. Individuals who complete the entire training series receive a compilation of useful local, state, and national resources and will then be prepared to share information with families about issues or concerns they may have about their child’s education and development.

This weekly course will be on the following six Wednesdays from

9:30 am to 2:30 pm.

March 13, March 20, March 27, April 3, April 10, and April 17.

Topics covered in the SRP course include:

· Laws and Regulations

· Parent Rights in Special Education

· Multi-tiered systems of Support, Intervention and Referral Systems, and Special Education Evaluation

· IEPs - measurable goals, progress reporting, Least Restrictive Environment

· Positive Behavior Supports and School Discipline

· Creating Agreement /Conflict Resolution/Parent-Professional Collaboration

· Early Intervention

· Transition to Adulthood

· Systems Advocacy and Leadership

· Health Advocacy

Presented by: Multiple SPAN Team members

For more Information: tkaminski@spanadvocacy.org

We hope you are able to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. Check it out.

Be well,

ASCF staff

MARCH IS DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH

Each March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and their partners work together to create a social media campaign that highlights the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities.

The campaign seeks to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life, as well as awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live.

DDAM 2024 Theme: A World of Opportunities

“A World of Opportunities” – celebrates people and working together to remove obstacles. Their goal is to build a community that’s committed to creating a world where everyone can do well and succeed. Join them in making a world where all kinds of people have the chance to thrive.

https://nacdd.org/ddam1/

Self Advocacy Tips for Teens

Self-advocacy is a key step in becoming an adult. It means looking out for yourself, telling people what you need, and knowing how to take responsibility. No one is born knowing these skills. Everyone has to learn them. Ready to begin learning? Here is some great information from teens, for teens, that can start you on your way.

What is self-advocacy?

Self-advocacy means taking the responsibility for telling people what you want and need in a straightforward way. It is knowing how to:

-speak up for yourself

-describe your strengths, disability, needs, and wishes take responsibility for yourself

-find out about your rights

-obtain help or know who to ask if you have a question

from Utah Parent Center

For complete article go to: https://utahparentcenter.org/publications/infosheets/transadultinfosheets/tips-for-teens/

ARC Family Institute Training

My Student Just Turned 18- What Do I Need to Do?

March 19, 2024 6-7 pm

This presentation will offer an overview of what a family needs to do when their student turns 18.

https://bit.ly/studentturning18

SPAN Virtual Training

How To Do An Assistive Technology Consideration

The Training will provide you knowledge on how to consider Assistive Technology. It will be on Tuesday, March 19 · 12 - 1 pm EDT

AT Consideration is a way to start the process of matching AT to a student with a disability. It can be done by IEP teams, either with or without an AT specialist. You will learn how to use checklists, worksheets, and AT lending centers to help students on the road to independence. Presenter: Adam Krass MS, ATP -

Contact Nicole Pratt at npratt@spanadvocay.org

TRANSITION FAIR

CHECK OUT THIS PARENTING PROGRAM

REMINDER: JOIN SPAN RESOURCE PARENT TRAINING

MEET OTHER PARENTS

Join Family Partners' MOM SQUAD on Thursday, March 28 from 6-7:30 pm. This group will discuss the joys and challenges of being a mom, raising a child or children with emotional, behavioral, mental health challenges and/or special needs. Join Diane Varga of Family Partners and ASCF 's Julie Rikon meet other moms in the community experiencing similar scenarios, learn about the services available to you, and build a support network!

Please register in advance for this meeting:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIodu-spz8iHNbFNlmcYsUK2Oj1rX8PxAJp

A Great Message For All Of Us

6 Ways to Teach Kids to Be Kind

By Catherine Newman Updated on August 25, 2023

The best thing you can do to make the world a better place is to create a culture of kindness in your own home. Consider these ways to show your children why the Golden Rule rules.

1. Help Them Understand What Kindness Means

2. Inspire Their Imagination

3. Model Kindness Everywhere You Go

4. Encourage Kind Habits

5. Understand That Kindness Isn’t Always Easy

6. Pay Attention to the Effects of Kindness

For complete article copy and paste the link:

https://www.parents.com/kids/development/social/teaching-kids-to-be-kind/

DON'T FORGET YOU ARE NOT ALONE

ASCF IS HERE FOR YOU 973-728-8744

DISCLAIMER:

The Association for Special Children and Families does not provide or give legal or medical advice.

DESCARGO DE RESPONSABILIDAD:

La Asociación para Niños y Familias Especiales no proporciona ni brinda asesoramiento legal o médico.