Children with Special Needs need Parents with Special Skills | |
|
AJE news, events, and resources to keep you stay informed!
AJE hopes that all our readers are safe and well. This newsletter has information about AJE programs, transportation, and resources.
| |
Happy New Year From AJE!
With many changes happening over the years we are excited to be able to continue serving our families and we look forward to introducing you to our team in future newsletters.
| | | |
|
Pictured left to right front row:Talia Curhan, Berta Mata, Stacey Eunnae, Kelly Dau, Buckheng Heng
Middle Row left to right: Whitney Smith, Nkechi Feaster, LaJoy Johnson-Law, Tamiesha Lawerence, Amelia French
Back row left to right: Maria Blaeuer, Yolanda Corbett, Rochanda Hiligh-Thomas, Michelle Parrish
| |
OSSE-DOT updates about parent reimbursement
We have new information about the parent reimbursement rate from OSSE. As many families know, OSSE continues to struggle to transport students to school and has shared that parents will be reimbursed if your student’s bus is listed here and you wish to self-transport or utilize ride-share. If your child has experienced routine service delays this year, OSSE has also shared that you are eligible for parent reimbursement. Parent reimbursements are eligible for self-travel and full ride-share costs (e.g., Uber/Lyft) for commutes to and from school.
OSSE DOT has raised the reimbursement rate to $1.48/mile. OSSE reports that this is the current rate per mile of the ridesharing service Uber. OSSE reports that they used Uber because parents may use a ride-sharing service to self-transport if OSSE DOT is unable to provide service, and chose the per-mile rate for Uber XL to accommodate those that may need to utilize a larger vehicle if their child requires a wheelchair to transport. This rate increase will take effect immediately and will apply to all trips in which parents self-transported their child since Aug. 29, 2022. For any previously submitted reimbursement request made, OSSE DOT will apply the new, higher rate and provide payment to families with no action required by parents. It will continue for the duration of the 2022-23 school year which ends on June 22, 2023.
If you want to apply for parent reimbursement, please complete the certification and W9 forms (see below links), then submit them using OSSE’s BOX upload site. OSSE reports that reimbursement processing may take up to 60 days, AJE strongly encourages families to submit their claims quickly, as we understand that parents have experienced delays in excess of 60 days. AJE can help you complete these forms and submit them if needed.
PLEASE NOTE – If your child has experienced routine service delays this year, OSSE has shared that you are eligible for parent reimbursement. Parent reimbursements are eligible for self-travel and full ride-share costs (e.g., Uber/Lyft) for commutes to and from school.
| | | |
Resources available on our Blog
Our website www.aje-dc.org is a great resource for families.
Be sure to visit our blog for new resources like whats shared here:
Tzedek DC seeks to assist DC families with the hardships of debt and other consumer issues. If that's something you would like to learn more about click the link below. Help with consumer and/or debt issues
DC KinCare Alliance seeks to support caregivers who raise DC’s most vulnerable and at-risk children (usually grandparents or other relatives) whose parents are not able to care for them. Click the link below to learn more!
Support for non-parent caregivers
First Shift Justice Project is dedicated to the belief that working parents should not be discriminated against at work due to responsibilities at home caring for young, elderly, sick, or disabled family members. Unfortunately, such discrimination is routine, and low-wage workers are most vulnerable. If this is something you or a member of your family has experienced and you would like to know more about, click the link below.
Workplace legal issues (parental leave, FMLA, caregiver discrimination)
Remember to visit our blog for many more amazing resources and information.
| | | |
|
Shedding light on inequities — in school funding; access to high-quality educators from diverse backgrounds; advanced coursework; or safe and culturally affirming school environments — all starts with access to data.
To help advocates call attention to inequities and spur action to address them, The Education Trust is hosting a series of webinars the first three Wednesdays in February 2023 (2/1; 2/8; 2/15) to discuss how data and transparency are the key to the fight for educational equity — and provide you with updated data sources to aid in this work.
We’ll highlight Ed Trust’s new report and data tool examining the funding gaps between and within school districts in states. Our friends at the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) will discuss their recent data analysis on inequitable access to high-quality educators. And you’ll hear from local advocates on how they’ve used data in their advocacy efforts around ESSER spending.
You may attend any session that interests you, but you will need to register for each session you want to attend. Descriptions and links to these sessions are below.
WEBINAR SERIES
SESSION I: Equal is Not Good Enough in School Funding
- Date: Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 3pm ET
- Description: High-need districts and schools continue to receive less school funding than they need to meet the needs of their students. In this session, we’ll share the most up-to-date data on funding gaps between districts in states, as well as policy options to address those funding gaps. We’ll also demo a new interactive data tool that allows users to explore the inequities in school funding between districts, differences in funding between schools in districts, and — for the first time ever — school-by-school spending data.
-
Please register here: Webinar Registration - Zoom
| |
|
SESSION II: Advocating for Actionable Data on Equitable Access to High-Quality Teachers
- Date: Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 3pm ET
- Description: Here, participants will explore recent National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) data on inequitable patterns of teacher distribution and their implications for students. We’ll use this data to understand how teachers are distributed and identify weaknesses in states’ current data practices that limit what advocates can learn about equitable access to great teachers. Participants will have a chance to review national data, as well as their own state’s data to identify opportunities to advocate for improved access to actionable data on the equitable distribution of teachers.
-
Please register here: Webinar Registration - Zoom
| |
|
SESSION III: Leveraging Data to Fuel COVID Recovery Advocacy Efforts
- Date: Wednesday, Feb 15 at 3pm ET
- Description: In this session, participants will hear from a panel of advocates from around the country on how they’ve leveraged data for their advocacy efforts and lessons learned from their work in their communities. Panelists will discuss how they advocate for increased transparency in student achievement, ESSER spending, and other district and statewide data, as well as strategies they have used to work alongside district and/or state leaders to access data.
-
Please register here: Webinar Registration - Zoom
| |
|
It seems as if the 2022-23 School Year just started, but it’s already time to plan ahead for the 2023-24 School Year. Below are important dates to remember for the 2023-24 school year lottery.
Make sure to mark these dates and deadlines on your calendar!
KEY DATES:
December 10, 2022: Virtual EdFEST – the annual public school fair
December 12, 2022: Lottery application opens
February 1, 2023: APPLICATION DEADLINE (Grades 9-12)
March 1, 2023: APPLICATION DEADLINE (PK3 – Grade 8)
March 31, 2023: Lottery results are available
May 1, 2023: Enrollment deadline for matched students
| |
|
The Institute for Youth Development is offering virtual workshops for youth development professionals to use an asset-based approach when interacting with youth. These interactive workshops are foundational for any individual working with youth. Attendees will learn various concepts that promote a positive environment for youth.
Register to attend one of these workshops today! Space is limited.
| |
AJE Story Collection
We would also like to know if your child's disability has made it harder for them to access care outside of school - for example at recreation programs, camps, or at before and aftercare.
| |
Text AJE to 202-953-4355 to join our Text list
Join AJE's text list for updates and announcements about events, resources, and trainings specific to you. In order to receive these updates, you have to opt-in by texting AJE to 202-953-4355 (this is a different process than joining our email list). Messaging rates apply.
Text AJE to 22828 to join our E-list
Was this email forwarded to you by a friend? Join AJE's email list by texting AJE to 22828.
AJE loves your follows on Social Media!
Click on the buttons below to connect with us!
| |
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 |
| | | | |
