August 10, 2022 | Issue 40 (View newsletter as webpage) Para leer este boletín en Español, haga clic aquí

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Special Education Miniconference

It's Back to School Time!

Join us to Prepare for the New School Year

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

1:00 - 5:00 PM

Important News

Physical Education for Students with Disabilities - OSEP Policy Letter

The US Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has issued policy guidance to clarify requirements related to the provision of physical education, including adapted physical education and the least restrictive environment, to children with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The informal guidance addresses several topics, such as:

Offering specially designed instruction to children with disabilities in content areas such as adapted aquatics or biking skills if the same curriculum content is not offered to children without disabilities at the same grade level
Should instructional content for a child with a disability be based on what has been agreed to in the child’s individualized education program (IEP)?
Does all physical education instruction for children with disabilities need to occur in the general education setting with their nondisabled peers?

Read the policy letter here

Resources

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

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If you are just starting to care for a grandchild, this resource covers the basic things you need to know.

Millions of grandparents and other relatives are raising children. The Guide for GrandFamilies can help you find your way with tips, tools and resources.

Topics include:

What documents do I need?
Who do I need to talk to?
What phone numbers do I need?
How can I keep track of everything?

The Guide also addresses legal, financial, health, education and child care.

Explore the Guide for Grandfamilies here

Review State-Specific fact sheets here

Check out SPAN's work here with Essex County Family Council and Grandmothers as Caregivers

Get connected here with other NJ families who are raising children with disabilities and special health care needs

New Jersey Youth Transition Virtual Conference

October 3 - 7, 2022

The Annual NJ Youth Transition Conference was created for youth ages 14 - 21+ who experience I/DD, their families, caregivers and the professionals who serve them.

The 2^nd Annual NJ Youth Transition Conference will be held the first week in October!

Presenters include:

Paul Aaronsohn, NJ Ombudsman for Individuals with I/DD and their families
Bill Freeman, NJ Department of Education
Toni Scott, NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Johan Mora-Valverde, SPAN & Dylan Campbell, Youth Coordinator, Maine Parent Federation will be presenting about Self-Advocacy to a youth audience.

Look for breakout sessions with Dawn Monaco and Jeannine H. Brinkley from SPAN as well as hearing from youth and families and many other entities.

Watch the conference video here

See more details on the conference website here

Become a Vendor or find resources here

Check out SPAN's Youth in the Know page

Upcoming Events

See what's happening

SPAN offers a variety of learning opportunities for families and the professionals who work with them.

Highlighted Event this week

Upcoming SPAN Resource Parent Training

Participants learn about:

Laws and regulations
Special education processes
Strategies for working effectively with the school team
Dynamics of systems that serve children with disabilities and special health care needs

Both parents/caregivers and professionals are welcome to participate. The course includes:

Eight weekly Zoom sessions - Weekly on Mondays from 6:30 - 8:00 PM, from 9/12/2022 - 11/7/2022 (skipping 10/31/2022)
Google Classroom learning activities that are completed independently

Individuals who complete the entire training series receive a compilation of useful resources and are prepared to share information with families about concerns related to their child’s education and development.

Note: There is no fee to register for those who commit to volunteering after the course. There is a $350 fee for those who do not wish to volunteer.

Watch for the next SRP course - coming later in the Fall with a hybrid delivery!

We have missed seeing you - we are excited to return to in-person SRP Courses - dates coming soon!

For more information:

Contact Tammi Kaminski tkaminski@spanadvocacy.org