Tips and Resources to Empower the Parent Advocate in School
Build strong communication habits and lead as the expert on your child in IEP meetings, the classroom, nurses office and beyond.
Where Healthcare and Education Laws Intersect
Keeping students healthy is a priority of parents, schools and healthcare providers. Students with special healthcare needs are entitled to a free and appropriate public education and to participate in school and extracurricular activities hand in hand with their peers. Medication administration at school is an issue that is at the intersection of education and healthcare laws.

The MN Department of Health has issued "Minnesota Guidelines for Medication Administration in Schools" to provide clarity and guidance on this complicated issue. Understand your child's rights and learn how to partner with your school board to make sure all Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs are kept healthy and included at school.
Free Webinars: Advocating For One and All
Serving on Committees: Families of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs and Disabilities Improving Quality
Thursday, August 16 at 12:00 PM

Discover why your voice is important in improving systems of care for CYSHCN; ideas about where to find committee opportunities and how to be a valued team member in improving quality.

The Elusive Inclusive Education: From Early Childhood Through High School
Thursday, August 30 at 12:00 pm

Join two parent advocates for this lunch hour webinar where we'll discuss inclusion from Early Childhood through High School. You'll learn practical tips for defining and advocating for inclusive practices throughout the educational planning process and beyond.

IEP – You Have an Equal Voice
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In case you missed it. Tips and tools are shared about setting an agenda, staying on task and getting the IEP to truly reflect the goals and objectives for your child through good communication.
3 Tips for Building Strong Communication with
School Teams
Take the lead in building a strong bond with your child's school team with these 3 tips for great communication:

  • Email Follow Up: Follow up in writing after phone calls and informal meetings to document, follow through and organize points for future IEP meetings.

  • Summer Updates: From updating contact information, connecting providers and sharing details about your child's summer this will get the whole team in gear on day one.

  • Snapshot: Create a simple, engaging "at a glance" version of your child's vision, goals, strengths and accommodations.
Creative Kids Project

Family Voices of MN Connected is looking for artwork by Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs (CYSHN).This artwork is first about creative expression and could also relate to a variety of topics from friendship, nature, family, doctors, favorite things and beyond.

A few submissions will be chosen for printing on greeting cards that will be available for purchase. Funds raised will support Family Voices of MN Connected initiatives to bring resources, information and peer to peer support to families of CYSHN. Awareness raised through the sharing of this artwork can have a big impact on our communities.

Email submissions along with
the artist's first name and age to

We can't wait to see what your kiddos create!
Wrightslaw Workshop Comes to Minnesota
On September 20, 2018 Decoding Dyslexia MN is hosting a Wrightslaw: Special Education & Advocacy Conference in Arden Hills, MN. Register before August 15th for early bird pricing.

Wrightslaw offers a variety of special education law and advocacy programs taught by nationally-recognized experts in the field of special education law and advocacy. Wrightslaw special education law and advocacy programs are designed to meet the needs of parents, advocates, educators, attorneys, and health care providers who represent children with disabilities.
Social Media Outreach
August Focus: Education
Here are some examples of the important resources that are popping up on our Facebook page in August. Follow us for reliable, relevant information for families of Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs.

  • Understanding IEPs

  • Seminar: Legal & Financial Planning for the Special Needs Family

  • Parental Rights in the IEP Process
Watch for our September Posts On:
Inclusion