October 12, 2022 | Issue 49 (View newsletter as webpage) Para leer este boletín en Español, haga clic aquí

Important News

Celebrate Babies Week: October 17 - 21, 2022

Each year the New Jersey Association for Infant Mental Health and associations for Infant Mental Health across the country and all over the world, dedicate this week to intentionally celebrate infants, toddlers, young children, their families and early childhood professionals by:

listening to the experience of families,
raising awareness about the critical nature of infant development,
providing opportunities for workforce networking, and
engaging in social action efforts.

This year, the theme is:

Early Relational Health: It's Everyone's Business!

Join for learning, reflection, connection, and advocacy events!

There are virtual events each day to celebrate this week.

Monday, October 17, 2022 - 9:30 - 10:30 am - Early Relational Health: It's Everyone's Business

Wednesday, October 19, 2022 - 6:00 - 7:00 pm Career Panel: How Infant Mental Health is the Business of All Disciplines

Thursday, October 20, 2022 - 6:00 - 7:00 pm Dine and Discuss: Mental Health for Young Children and Babies

Resources

Learning Disabilities of NJ Fall Conference & Resource Expo

Fall Conference & Resource Expo

Preschool thru High School and Beyond.

The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) – Education Building

Sunday, November 6, 2022

9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Attend in-person or virtually

Childcare is provided by STAMP volunteers

This conference includes information and resources about Learning Disabilities for parents, educators, professionals and students.

Visit the SPAN vendor table and check out the presentation by Tammi Kaminski and Tara Szymanek from SPAN - Supporting Youth in their IEP: A Path to Success. This session will review ways to support students who have IEPs by applying key strategies to promote self-advocacy from elementary school through transition to adulthood.

A Discussion for Children and Youth with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families

Please join the NJ Regional Family Support Councils for a virtual discussion with state leadership.

Thursday, November 10, 2022

6:30 - 8:30 PM Eastern Time

Learn about current news and share your story with:

Jill Hoegel, Director of Investigations and Monitoring, Disability Rights New Jersey (6:30 - 7:30 PM)

Kim Murray, Director, Office of Special Education, Division of Educational Services, New Jersey Department of Education (7:30 - 8:30 PM)

Upcoming Events

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

Highlighted Event this week

New Jersey Community of Care Consortium

November 10, 2022

Meeting - 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Networking Lunch - 12:00 - 1:00 pm

Location:

Hamilton Library

Justice Samuel A Alito Jr Way, Hamilton Township, NJ 08619

The purpose of the CoCC is to help New Jersey improve performance on the Maternal & Child Health Bureau's six core outcomes for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) and the Maternal Child Health National Performance and Outcome measures.

Convened by SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, American Academy of Pediatrics-New Jersey Chapter and the New Jersey Department of Health-Family Health Services

Join us to:

Engage in shared decision-making with state and community partners, family leaders and self-advocates
Share and learn about systems initiatives, programs, and the impact on families
Share your lived experience and contribute to improving multiple systems of care for CYSHCN, their families, and maternal child health systems/services
Learn about the impact of the Maternal Child Health Block Grant

Complete this form if you are interested in attending

ASL and Spanish Interpretations are provided

Family leaders and self-advocates receive a stipend for their participation and contributions.

For more information contact:

Jeanne McMahon

jmcmahon@spanadvocacy.org

See all of SPAN's upcoming events with details and registration links here

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SPAN Youth Blog Highlight

Self-advocacy is the ability to communicate your needs and interests. Our role as family members and caregivers is to support youth and young adults with disabilities in making their own decisions. Read about developing and supporting self-advocacy skills in our newest blog post, "The 'Self' in Self-Advocacy."

Click here to subscribe to the Youth Blog

Share your SPAN testimonial story! CLICK HERE

Join the SPAN Team - View Open Positions here

SPAN Parent Advocacy Network | spanadvocacy.org