Federation for Children with Special Needs (FSCN): Check out the FSCN’s Annual Visions of Community conference, on March 8 from 9am - 4pm, which brings together about a thousand parents, caregivers, and professionals for live workshops and opportunities to connect with one another via our interactive online conference platform. Register here to hear from leading experts, connect with exhibitors and service providers, and participate in workshops on topics that matter to young people with disabilities, their families, and those who support them.

Applications Now Open for the 2025 Autism Campus Inclusion Leadership Academy: The 2025 Autism Campus Inclusion (ACI) Leadership Academy, hosted virtually from July 14th to July 20th, offers autistic students the opportunity to develop advocacy and leadership skills. The program teaches students about disability policy, student group creation, and engaging with policymakers. Applications are due by midnight on March 9th, 2025. Learn more and apply here.

Region A Drop-In Call: The next Drop-In call will take place on Tuesday, March 4, from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST. Our featured technical assistance presenter will be Melanie Reese, CADRE. Join the call.

The National Parent Center Conference | The Power of Parent Centers: Driving Positive Change will be held from April 8-10, 2025, at the Renaissance Denver Central Park Hotel, and registration is now open. Click the link to register in English or Spanish. The agenda is out and very close to what attendees will experience during the conference. To view the agenda online, click HERE. Note: The RAISE Summit is April 10-12, 2025, with joint sessions between RAISE and the National Parent Center Conference on the morning of April 10th.

Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Conference – Save the Date: Mark your calendars for the OSEP Conference, August 5-7 at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington, VA. More details will be shared soon.

CPIR Calendar: Don’t forget to check out the HUB Central Events calendar at the Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) for more webinars and events.

Principles and Practices: Best Practices for Nonprofits: The National Council of Nonprofits has excellent information on best practices, including links to some state-specific nonprofit information. Check it out here.

Engaging Parents in Productive Partnerships: Check out this resource from CADRE here.

Understanding Youth Civic Engagement: Engaging young people in civic life strengthens communities and democracy. This resource from Tufts University explores the factors that influence youth civic participation and offers insights into fostering meaningful engagement. Check it out here.

52 Free Development Opportunities for Nonprofit Staff: Bridgespan has compiled these free development opportunities for nonprofit staff. Check it out!

Chronic absenteeism in NJ schools gets lawmakers’ attention: Chronic absenteeism in New Jersey schools has surged since the pandemic, prompting state lawmakers to hold a hearing on potential solutions. Advocates emphasized the need for targeted interventions to improve student attendance. Watch the discussion.

New America’s Webinar on Dually Identified Learners: This webinar explores the unique challenges and strategies for supporting students who are both dual language learners and students with disabilities. Gain valuable insights into how these students can thrive in educational settings. Watch the full webinar.

Stop Bullying’s Get Help Now: Bullying remains a pervasive issue affecting many students across the nation. It's not just an unfortunate part of growing up—bullying can have profound, long-lasting impacts on a student's mental, emotional, and even physical health. Recognizing the signs of bullying to understanding the laws that protect students, this website provides comprehensive guidance for creating safer, more inclusive environments for all children. Learn more here.

Child Welfare Information Gateway: Connects you to trusted resources on the child welfare continuum. Provides publications, research, and learning tools selected by experts to support thriving children, youth, families, and communities. Check it out here.

EO Seeks to Steer Federal Funds to Private School Vouchers: This article in Chalkbeat provides an overview of the Executive Order, Expanding Freedom and Opportunity for Families. The EO can be found here.

Disparities in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services and Supports: Ongoing disparities in services and supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are explained, emphasizing the importance of addressing these gaps to ensure equitable access to quality care. Learn more.

Some Federal Health Data Websites Restored, Others Still Down, After Data Purge: What disappeared? What’s reappeared? What’s still missing? Check it out.

Discipline and Positive Behavior Support in Schools: Harsh discipline practices can negatively impact students' well-being and academic success. Mental Health America explores the benefits of positive behavior support systems in creating safe, supportive learning environments. Read more here.

When Parents and Schools Disagree: Navigating Special Education Disputes: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires states to provide ways to resolve disagreements between parents and schools about a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). These options ensure that parents and schools can work towards a mutually agreeable solution while protecting the child’s right to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). The Office of the Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) offers both informal and formal dispute resolution processes. Read more.

How DMPS Utilizes Dropout Prevention Funding for Student Success: Des Moines School Board is seeking $16 million in state funding for dropout prevention to support student success. The funding aims to prevent students from leaving school by addressing school safety, chronic absenteeism, social interactions, conflict prevention, and academic support for those falling behind. Read more here.

Get Free “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” Materials: These FREE materials (available in English and Spanish) developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) aim to help families and professionals track the development of young children and take early action as/when needed. Some materials are available in several other languages. These materials can also be translated and customized as required. View, print, and order materials here.

Comprehensive Centers De-Funded: The network of Comprehensive Centers, funded to provide technical assistance to states on implementation of ESSA, have been abruptly defunded. Read more.

Why equity matters (for all kids): No matter who your child is, how a school serves students from underserved communities is important in understanding the school’s overall quality. Equity extends beyond school walls. Parent groups and grassroots advocacy organizations can be key players in improving the overall school climate and outcomes for all students so that a high equity score may indicate a school with high levels of community engagement and support. Read more here.

Learning for Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Parents: The National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) supports foster, adoptive, and kinship parents by providing free training programs. These comprehensive training sessions equip caregivers with the knowledge and skills they need to nurture and support the children in their care. Learn more here.

Top Six Mistakes New Grandparents Should Avoid: New grandparents can benefit from understanding key mistakes to avoid as they embrace their new role. Find helpful tips to create a positive experience for both grandparents and grandchildren here.

Why Medicaid is Important: EPSDT and Services for Children and Youth with Disabilities: The National Health Law Project has valuable information on the importance of Medicaid for children and youth with disabilities. Check it out here.

State of Homelessness in America 2024: The National Alliance to End Homelessness provides the latest data on homelessness across the U.S., examining trends, demographics, and factors contributing to housing instability. Explore the full report.

What Educators Need to Know About Dyslexia—and Why It’s Not Something to ‘Fix’: Understanding dyslexia has come a long way, shifting from a misunderstood struggle to a recognized learning difference. Educators now have more tools and knowledge to support students with dyslexia, focusing on strengths rather than viewing it as something to "fix." Explore how these insights are shaping the future of education here.

Reforming Our Immigration System to Maximize America's Potential: America benefits from immigration, but our outdated system requires an overhaul to ensure continued prosperity, vitality, and security. Read more.

The Power of Inclusion: Why Inclusive Education Benefits Everyone: Inclusion in schools isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a movement toward equity, acceptance, and success for all students. One of the benefits of inclusion is higher engagement from families and educators, leading to a more supportive and collaborative environment, and higher teacher retention rates as educators develop deeper connections in their roles and students. Learn more here.

Why Youth Incarceration Fails: An Updated Review of the Evidence: Youth incarceration has long been criticized for its failure to rehabilitate and support young people. A new report explores the negative impacts of youth incarceration and offers alternatives that focus on rehabilitation and community-based solutions. Read the full report here.

LGBTQ+ Equality Across the U.S.: The Movement Advancement Project’s Equality Maps provide an in-depth look at LGBTQ+ rights and policies across all 50 states, covering areas like nondiscrimination protections, healthcare access, and more. Explore the latest updates.

Rural Mental Health Resources: With 60 million Americans living in rural areas, unique challenges and advantages come with accessing mental health care in these regions. This resource from Mental Health America explores those dynamics and provides information on finding support in rural communities. Learn more.

PodCast-Episode Foreign-Born Military Spouses: Foreign-born military spouses play a vital role in military communities and have access to a range of benefits and support services. A recent podcast episode delves into the resources available, including immigration assistance, employment support, and community connections. Listen to the episode here.

Navajo Nation leaders raise alarm over reports of Indigenous people being questioned and detained during immigration sweeps: CNN reported immigration raids in Arizona and New Mexico have triggered panic and anger stemming from generational trauma endured by Native people whose ancestors and elders had to fight to take back mere fragments of their land and reclaim their language and culture. Operation Rainbow Bridge, a nonprofit that supports Navajo citizens who are victims of Medicaid fraud in Arizona, has launched the Immigration Crisis Initiative to assist Indigenous people impacted by federal law enforcement raids. Read more here.

Collaborating to Improve and Transform Education Systems: A Playbook for Family-School Engagement: This Brookings playbook on family-school collaboration makes the case for why family engagement is essential for education systems transformation and why families and schools must have a shared understanding of what a good quality education looks like. It provides evidence-based strategies from around the world and other hands-on tools that school leaders and partners can adopt and use in their local contexts. Check it out.

Program Participation, US Social Safety Net: The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the US Department of Health and Human Services provides this information on participation in US social safety net programs, here.

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools: Students have the right to a safe and supportive learning environment. This resource from the Disability Rights Center of New Hampshire provides essential information on the use of restraint and seclusion in schools and what families can do to advocate for safer alternatives. Find it here.

Understanding Social and Emotional Learning in Education: Insights from Michelle Gill: Jeff Bradbury and Diane Manser discuss the importance of social and emotional learning (SEL) in education with Michelle Gill on Digital Learning Today. Their conversation covers how behavior serves as communication, the evolving nature of SEL, and practical strategies for educators. Watch the full video.

State and Local Governments: First Steps Toward Complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Web and Mobile Application Accessibility Rule: In April 2024, the Department of Justice published a rule requiring state and local governments to make their websites and mobile apps accessible to people with disabilities. This resource provides essential steps for public entities to comply with the new technical requirements. Learn more.

A Presumption of Competence: Empowering Disability Advocacy and Independent Living: The “Dignity of Risk,” emphasizes the importance of balancing support with the freedom to make decisions. Explore how this philosophy empowers disability advocacy and independent living here.

Why Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation Threatens Adolescent Lives: This report documenting hospitalization and suicide attempts/rates by LGBTA+ youth can be found in the NIH National Library of Medicine.