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 the post lottery application and 3 different AJE projects that include opportunities for DC parents to receive a stipend!
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Send us your video about why you decided to get vaccinated and receive a $50 stipend!
In partnership with Family Voices, we are collecting your videos about why you decided to get vaccinated against COVID-19. You can record this under 2-minute video on your phone or tablet, or even over Zoom. We can help you to do it over Zoom, or you can go it alone. Be creative! Your video might be featured on AJE's website or YouTube Channel or Social Media.
Your video can even include your friends and family, but please know that in order to be eligible for the stipend everyone in your video must sign a release like this one and we are only offering one stipend per video.
Some questions you might want to answer in your video are -
- Why did I get vaccinated?
- Why did I change my mind about the vaccine?
- Why did I get my child vaccinated?
- Why do I think others should get vaccinated?
- How did the pandemic affect my family?
- How did the pandemic affect my child?
- What does being vaccinated mean to my family?
If you are interested, please fill out this form and we'll be in touch!
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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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If you missed the lottery application deadlines, you can still apply to public schools for school year 2022-23 by submitting a post-lottery application today.
Post-lottery applications are automatically added to schools’ waitlists in the order they are received and below applicants who applied by the lottery deadlines. The only exception to this is for applicants that qualify for a lottery preference. Learn more here. Families can begin their school search using the School Finder.
Reminder: Families DO NOT have to submit a My School DC application if they will re-enroll at their current school or enroll at their DCPS in-boundary school for grades K-12. They DO need to submit a My School DC application if they are applying to a DCPS or public charter PK3 and PK4 program, including the PK program at their DCPS in-boundary school.
Questions? Contact the My School DC Hotline Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at (202) 888-6336 or email info.myschooldc@dc.gov.
KEY INFORMATION FROM MY SCHOOL DC:
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You do not have to submit a My School DC application if you will re-enroll at your current school or enroll at your DCPS in-boundary high school. To find your DCPS in-boundary high school, enter your address into the School Finder and filter by "Display In-Boundary Schools Only".
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Have more questions? Check out these videos!
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Call the My School DC Hotline at (202) 888-6336 for application assistance, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. or email info.myschooldc@dc.gov.
HOW AJE CAN HELP:
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AJE is calling ALL parents of children with IEPs, 504 plans, or developmental concerns!
Join our parent-led conversation designed to empower families and
the community at large!
May 21st | June 25th
10 am - 12 pm (ET)
What is a Parent Café? Parent Cafés are physically and emotionally safe spaces where parents and caregivers talk about the challenges and victories of raising a family.
$25 gift card for participants per café.
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DC Autism Parents' Monthly Support Group Meeting - May 10th
Looking for a support group where you can talk with other autism parents? Do you want to participate in a group while in your comfort zone? Join DCAP for our monthly support group! This event is free, space is limited, and registration is required.
Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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Quality Trust's Families Ties Program
Quality Trust is an independent, non-profit advocacy organization focused on improving the lives of children and adults with disabilities and their families in the District of Columbia and beyond.
Family Ties of DC (FTDC) is a unique parent-to-parent support program that matches a Support Parent who has child(ren) with disabilities with the Referred Parent, who is seeking emotional support, information, and resources from someone who has traveled their path.
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Health Equity Project
If you live in Ward 1, 5, 7, or 8, we invite you to participate in our health equity project where you can receive up to $50 in gift cards! This is a parent-led advocacy effort to eliminate racial disparities and improve equitable access to health care for children and youth with disabilities and special healthcare needs in the District.
Vaccines
DC law and regulations require all schools in the District to verify student compliance with immunization requirements as part of enrollment and attendance. For more information about the District’s Immunization Attendance Policy, please visit the OSSE website or the DC Health Immunization Program website.
"As passed, the measure requires all students who are eligible to receive a fully-approved vaccine to be vaccinated by March 1. Enforcement of the measure, as is the case with all previously required vaccines, will counterbalance the need for a vaccinated student body with the necessity to have kids in school every day. Given that the COVID vaccine will be added to the battery of required vaccines mid-year, the enforcement protocol will not kick in for unvaccinated students until the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year"
AJE wants parents to know that their child may face exclusion from school if not fully vaccinated (including the COVID vaccination) next school year unless they have a medical or religious exemption.
Use vaccinate.dc.gov to make an appointment to get your child’s required immunizations at 37 sites across DC if your child is not up to date on all vaccines.
If you have questions about your rights, please call AJE at 202-678-8060.
Supporting Students' Health - Family Voices
AJE knows that many DC youth are struggling during this unique time. That is why we collaborate with and strongly support Family Voices; they are dedicated to achieving family-centered care for all children and youth with special health care needs.
They provide resources to help educate parents and children about COVID-19 and the ways in which they can stay safe during this time.
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OSSE - Department of Transportation Updates
As many families know, this has been a difficult year for OSSE-DOT transportation. In order to alleviate some of the pressure on the system, OSSE-DOT has increased access to reimbursement for parents who provide transportation to students who should be transported by OSSE.
If your student may need an exception to the OSSE-DOT masking policy, we suggest confirming that all of the documentation for that mask exemption is properly reflected in the IEP and that OSSE-DOT is fully aware of it. Parents may also want to review OSSE-DOT's letter to schools about the mask exemption policy.
AJE is also happy to answer any questions about masking at school or on the bus for students with disabilities.
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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
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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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