Click Here to check out our calendar and stay up to date!

May 13th - TCFEF Fundraiser at Local Culture Frozen Yogurt in Jonesboro. Click Here!

May 16th - Disability Resource Fair in Mountain Home. Click Here!

May 18th - Sensory Cinema showing of IF in Jonesboro. Click Here!

June 1st - Sensory Cinema Showing of Garfield in Jonesboro. Click Here!

June 3rd-5th - College Bound Arkansas! Must have pre-registered. Click Here!

Webinar Wednesdays!

Join TCFEF on Wednesdays at 12 PM for presentations and information to help you in your journey advocating for your child, client, or student! Click Here to access our calendar for dates and topics for Webinar Wednesdays

Click Here to register for all Webinar Wednesdays and get a dedicated link so you can attend when you want!

As we say goodbye to the school year and welcome the (Arkansas level) warmth of summer, let

us embrace the opportunity to rejuvenate our minds, bodies, and spirits. REST. Whether we

spend our days playing in the sun, trying out new hobbies, or simply enjoying the company of

family, let us make the most of this precious time off. And as we look ahead to the new school

year on the horizon, let us carry with us the lessons learned, knowing that we are better

equipped to face whatever challenges may come our way.

-Shelby Knight

Is your child with a disability and an IEP turning 16 years of age next school year? If so, there should be a transition plan developed and included in their IEP. Here are some websites that can help prepare your child. Click Here for a collection of state and national resources including Independent Futures That Work Checklists. These checklists can be an assessment tool for your child, to the fullest extent possible, to achieve independence. You can also Click Here to visit the Arkansas Transition Services website for various transition planning assessments. Preparing in advance for the transition planning allows you and your child to be an active member of the IEP team. The transition plan should center around your child’s needs in consideration of their strengths and interest and be results-oriented.

-Karen Lutrick, SW and Central Parent Mentor

Summer is finally here and it's time for some summer fun. Make the most of the long days and cool nights by going to your local library, the pool, the park, etc. Maybe sign your child up for a fun camp! But remember everyone needs a break so let your child have down time to relax. You can also make fun memories right in your own backyard by star gazing, catching fireflies, camping out, etc. Have fun inside playing games, baking, watching movies, etc. Tell fun stories or show pictures of your childhood that you may have never shared with them. And remember childhood is fleeting, so make some amazing memories.

-Teresa Hendrix, Northeast Parent Mentor

Keith has done a great job working with families in the NW and River Valley Region but he is now working with families in the Delta Region, where he lives.

Keith says, I am happy to say that I am now the Parent Mentor for the Delta Region. With over 20 years’ experience working with families in Cross County as an administrator with Wynne Public Schools, I look forward to assisting families and LEA’s from the other East Arkansas counties of the Delta. You can contact me if you have a child, student, family, or a group that needs support with IEP or 504 plans or if you need a parent workshop, individual support, or for me to attend an IEP or 504 meeting.

Check back soon for our introduction to our NW and River Valley Parent Mentor, Tiffany Slone. You can reach any of our staff by phone, email, or online request by Visiting Our Website.

Camp Aldersgate has great summer camp options for kids and young adults with disabilities!

June 9-14: Muscular Dystrophy Camp (ages 8-17)

June 16-21: KOTA 1 Camp (ages 6-18)

June 23-28: KOTA 2 Camp (ages 6-18)

July 7-12: Spinal Disorders Camp (ages 6-18)

July 14-19: Cardiac, Arthritis, Kidney, Bleeding Disorders & Oncology Camp (CAKBO) (ages 6-18)

July 14-19: Audiology (AIM-HI) Camp (ages 10-16)

July 21-26: Diabetes Camp (ages 7-14)

July 28-Aug 2: Young Adult Camp (ages 19-35)

Click Here to find out more!

-Jerrica Switzer, Administrative Assistant

Hello! As we prepare to close the school year, I wanted to share a few tips to parents and caregivers in hopes to ease the transition from school to summer time for your student.

·       To help your student prepare for summer, consider talking about the changes in your family’s routine NOW. Will they be attending summer camp, reading camp, therapy or other community events? Discussing those changes ahead of time will allow your student to be mentally prepared and ask questions on the changes that may affect their daily routine.

·       Prepare for hungry students. Make sure to start stocking up on healthy snacks and foods for your student. They always seem to be hungrier at home.

·       Start planning activities, a summer getaway, camping, read some new books or plan to visit free local events in your area. Keep your students busy!

We have a few more weeks until our students are home and if you have had challenges or perhaps a new diagnosis this year, know that your advocacy is important! Your student did it and YOU DID IT! Now let us finish the 2023-2024 school year with a BANG! If you need more information about what TCFEF can do for you, you can reach us at: https://thecenterforexceptionalfamilies.org

¡Hola! Mientras nos preparamos para cerrar el año escolar, quería compartir algunos consejos con los padres y cuidadores con la esperanza de facilitar la transición de la escuela al verano para sus estudiantes.

· Para ayudar a su estudiante a prepararse para el verano, considere hablar sobre los cambios en la rutina de su familia AHORA. ¿Asistirán a campamentos de verano, campamentos de lectura, terapia u otros eventos comunitarios? Discutir esos cambios con anticipación permitirá que su estudiante esté mentalmente preparado y haga preguntas sobre los cambios que pueden afectar su rutina diaria.

· Prepárese para los estudiantes con hambre. Asegúrese de comenzar a abastecerse de refrigerios y alimentos saludables para su estudiante. Siempre parecen tener más hambre en casa.

· Comience a planificar actividades, una escapada de verano, acampar, leer algunos libros nuevos o planear visitar eventos locales gratuitos en su área. ¡Mantenga a sus estudiantes ocupados!

Tenemos algunas semanas más hasta que nuestros estudiantes regresen a casa y si ha tenido desafíos o tal vez un nuevo diagnóstico este año, ¡sepa que su defensa es importante! ¡Tu estudiante lo hizo y TÚ LO HICISTE! ¡Ahora terminemos el año escolar 2023-2024 con éxito! Si necesita más información sobre lo que TCFEF puede hacer por usted, puede comunicarse con nosotros en: https://thecenterforexceptionalfamilies.org

-Candie Corona, Hispanic Outreach Coordinator, Coordinadora de Alcance Hispano