Children with Special Needs need Parents with Special Skills | |
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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 vaccinations.
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How to Apply for DDA Services: What Families Need to Know
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AJE understands that obtaining disability services can be a bit difficult and confusing, from not knowing where to find information or who to talk to, which is why we are sharing this information. Below is a single comprehensive resource about applying to DDA. All of the information can be found on the Department of Disability Services Website
Step 1: Person-Centered Questionnaire/Front Door Tool
During the visit, intake staff will support guests with the completion of the Front Door Tool. The Front Door Tool is a person-centered questionnaire (PCQ), and the first step of the intake process. The tool is designed to identify a person’s:
- Strengths and interests;
- Goals and vision for life;
- Employment objectives; and
- Immediate-and long-term support needs.
Intake staff will assist the person with completing the DDA application.
Step 2: The Application
The Intake Application is available at dds.dc.gov. An Intake and Eligibility Coordinator will assist people with the eligibility determination process.
Step 3: Service Coordination
- Once a person has been found eligible for DDA services, the Service Planning and Coordination Division (SPCD) will pair the person with a Service Coordinator. Using a person-centered approach, the service coordinator will work with the person to create an Individual Service Plan (ISP). The ISP ensures that the person receives all identified supports and helps person maintain positive control over his or her life.
The following DDS applications and forms are available:
Eligibility and Intake Process for RSA
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Children's Mental Health
Treating Symptoms of Trauma in Children and Teenagers
The 2022 Children’s Mental Health Report looks at the effects of psychological trauma on kids and reviews the evidence for treatments aimed at helping them recover. From the Child Mind Institute.
Looking Forward to the Holiday Season?
The holiday season just ahead can be quite a challenge for those with disabilities. The resources below may give you important information to consider, as well as the tools of preparation.
Sensory Processing Issues Explained
This series from the Child Mind Institute delves into the many aspects of sensory processing issues in children, and can come in handy as we approach the chaotic holidays and social gatherings. The series includes such articles as Treating Sensory Processing Issues; How Sensory Processing Issues Affect Kids in School; Sensory-Friendly Party Ideas; and Tips for Going Places With Sensory-Challenged Kids. All are available in English and Spanish.
Food Allergies in Children
Holiday and everyday feasting can be very tricky if your child has a food intolerance or allergy. This article from Johns Hopkins Medicine describes the most common types of such allergies, how to find out if and what types of allergies your child has, symptoms, and treatment, including tips for dining out with food allergies.
Navigating Food Allergies During the Holidays
Food allergies don’t have to dampen the spirit of the holidays. See tips for celebrating with allergy-free foods, so everyone has a place at the table.
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The DC Autism Collaborative (DC-AC) has developed several resources for parents of young children and professionals (including health providers, early childhood educators, and community leaders) on topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). All materials have been, or are in the processes of being, translated into both Spanish and Amharic. These resources can be downloaded as PDFs though we encourage sharing the website link as we plan to update regularly:
https://childrensnational.org/advocacy-and-outreach/child-health-advocacy-institute/community-mental-health/mental-health-initiatives-and-activities/dc-autism-collaborative/dc-autism-collaborative-resources
Resources for parents & caregivers:
- What to do While you are Waiting for a Medical Diagnosis of Autism: Provides tips for how to make the most of your time before receiving a medical diagnosis of ASD, including getting started with other services and preparing for your visit.
- Do You or Your Child’s Provider Suspect That Your Child May Have Autism? Provides some clear steps that can be taken once a caregiver or your provider has suspected that a child may have autism.
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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
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EdFEST, DC’s annual public school fair, will be held virtually on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Students and families will be able to explore the city’s public and public charter school options (PK3 – Grade 12), chat directly with school representatives and learn about the public school lottery – all from their device. With the launch of the public school lottery application on Dec. 12, 2022 for the 2023-24 school year, EdFEST is a timely event to help families make informed choices.
Registration is free and only requires an email address. Families can call the My School DC Hotline at (202) 888-6336, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m for registration support in their language. Language interpretation will be available the day of the event in Spanish, Amharic, French, Mandarin, Vietnamese and American Sign Language (ASL) by way of live interpreters.
Questions? Email info.myschooldc@dc.gov.
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Dear Parents Centers,
Our partners from NTACT:C are working on a research project out of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) that will be recruiting school districts, schools and families/students to participate in a large-scale transition intervention study.
Please share this information with you families:
Are you a parent or legal guardian of a high school student who has an IEP and is about two years away from finishing high school? We are looking for a few such parents/guardians to read and answer some simple questions about a short description of a research project and a participation consent form. The purpose is to help us ensure that the project description and consent form are clear and easy to read. This is part of a study sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and being conducted by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte) as a partner.
We will arrange a day and time to meet virtually with each selected parent individually, sometime in December. During this virtual session, we will share and discuss the document, which is about 3 pages long. The session will take approximately one hour.
If you are interested, please complete this short form. Parents who are selected and who complete the activity will be given a $50 gift card. We may not be able to select every interested parent.
Questions may be directed to bsterrett@air.org
Thank you!
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The Institute for Youth Development is committed to providing youth development professionals with an opportunity to gain practical skills that can be implemented in their interactions with youth immediately. This listing of upcoming workshops helps promote a positive environment with youth.
Register now! Space is limited.
The Institute for Youth Development is currently seeking feedback from youth development professionals in the District of Columbia on what trainings should be incorporated into the course offerings and what are the best times to host these trainings. This brief 3 minute survey will help our professional development team schedule future workshops. Please complete this brief survey no later than Friday, December 16, 2022.
Community Opportunities
The National Afterschool Association (NAA) is currently accepting nominations for young leaders and afterschool champions who have the potential to influence the field of afterschool for years to come. Help NAA recognize some extraordinary individuals, age 30 or under that are vested in things like advocacy, professional development, creative program design, the power of youth voice, data and evaluation, and social justice.
If you know of a candidate worthy of this honor, please submit a nomination by Wednesday, December 7, 2022 to be considered. Learn more information here.
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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.
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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!
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Advocates for Justice and Education, Inc.| (P) 202.678.8060 | (F) 202.678.8062 |
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