IPUL's E-News for March 27, 2020

Here are the highlights of our recent activity online. Not all everything is included due to timeliness. If an advertised event already took place, we've left it off.

IPUL is still working! The best method to reach us is through our website request form:    https://ipulidaho.org/connect-with-us   We are still monitoring our   intake phone line   several times a day, and will try to respond to any request there within 24 hours.  For questions that are not about something in our  scope of work , you can still leave a phone message as above, or send us an email at  parents@ipulidaho.org   - this account will be monitored daily, but is not as heavily monitored as the main intake systems.

Also, we've added a Covid-19 information and resources page to our website, with links to general information, as well as education resources for your kids. https://ipulidaho.org/covid-19-information

If You Are Reading This You (Probably) Should Be Home Right Now.

On Wednesday, March 25, Governor Brad Little put a statewide "Stay at home" order into effect across Idaho. We shared the guidance document explaining the order, as well as a link to the actual order. Here's the document:

And you can find a link to the actual order here: https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/127/2020/03/statewide-stay-home-order_032520.pdf

"Nobody knows the answers at this moment."

Here's a story that came out after we had sent out a short survey last week about the school closings and online learning, about that survey. " “The number one thing we’re trying to tell parents, and I think everybody is in the same boat, is: Let’s be patient,” Lindig said.  " Read the entire story here Also, answers started showing up in the story directly following this:

State Board of Educations puts "soft closure" in place for schools

Well here are beginnings of some answers from the questions in the previous story: The State Board of Education has ordered a four-week public school closure — and the shutdown could run longer. During what the board called a “soft closure,” schools will be closed to students. At least for now, the shutdown runs through April 20. The shutdown is designed to provide some guidance for school administrators, as a global pandemic shakes the foundation of Idaho education. Read the entire article here

Idaho State Department of Education Addresses the Ongoing Situation via Webinar

We are so grateful to the Idaho State Department of Education for their incredible response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Charlie Silva, Director of Special Education, Elaine Eberharter-Maki, Legal Consult, and Julie Mead, Director BSU SESTA provided another excellent webinar for special education directors this afternoon that provided greater clarity and guidance for serving all students during this time. The webinar is available now on the Idaho Training Clearinghouse website, as well as the resource documents that the State Department of Education created for further guidance and clarity regarding special education during the pandemic. With this, you can see the tremendous amount of work that is being done to support districts in their efforts to support students. Check out the notifications on the ITC and also be sure to click into SESTA's resources as well: https://idahotc.com/Resources/View/ID/669SE

A Reminder: If You Have Questions, We Are Here

We've had a tremendous response to our survey we sent out last week. Thanks to all who are helping with this. One of the questions we asked was whether or not you would like assistance from IPUL and many of you have answered yes, you would. Our survey is anonymous so we don't have anyway to contact you or know who wants to be contacted. Please be sure to use our intake form so we can get in touch with you. Thank you! https://ipulidaho.org/connect-with-us

Statewide Training for April- Planning For a Healthy Transition to Adulthood

Adulting is Hard... But Planning Ahead Can Make It Easier! This training prepares youth for transitioning to adulthood with a goal of independent health care management. Topics include managing appointments, medication, oral health, mental health, and more. Wednesday, April 15, 2020 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. & 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. And Recorded for Future Viewing Broadcast live from the Boise office and interactive via webinar from anywhere with an internet connection Idaho Parents Unlimited 4619 Emerald St., Ste. E Boise, ID 83706 REGISTER: https://ipulidaho.org/statewide-rsvp Phone: (208) 342-5884 Email: parents@ipulidaho.org