SPAN The Bridge Newsletter pictorial graphic.  Your weekly access to SPAN news, resources and events.

January 15, 2025 | Issue 163 (View newsletter as webpage) Para leer este boletín en Español, haga clic aquí

Important News

U.S Department of Education logo

U.S. Secretary of Education Releases Letter on Restraint and Seclusion


On January 8, U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel A. Cardona, issued a letter directed to Governors, Chief State School Officers, Administrators of LEAD Agencies, School District Administrators, and Early Childhood Program and School Leaders, on the topic of restraint and seclusion practices.


The letter states, "The U.S. Department of Education (Department) remains concerned that children continue to be subjected to restraint and seclusion practices even though these practices are harmful to children and despite the lack of evidence that these practices are effective strategies to respond to a child’s behavior or that these practices reduce the occurrence of behaviors that interfere with learning. The use of restraint and seclusion practices is inconsistent with our shared goal to ensure every child is treated with dignity and free from abuse.


...Instead of relying on reactive restraint and seclusion practices, it is critical for educators to be given opportunities to learn about and implement positive, proactive practices in schools and early childhood programs and how to effectively support and respond to students’ behavioral needs. As described in previous guidance from the Department, this involves using practices that provide a behavioral framework to support the social, emotional, physical, and mental health needs of students, including through the use of multi-tier systems of supports with individualized, targeted, and effective interventions for high-need students."


To read the letter in full, click here.

U.S. DOE Releases Guidance on Parent and Family Engagement Provisions


The purpose of this non-regulatory guidance is to assist State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and schools in administering the parent and family engagement provisions of Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).  Specifically, this version of the guidance consists of technical updates to the Department’s guidance, entitled Parental Involvement: Title I, Part A, originally issued on April 23, 2004, to ensure that the guidance reflects parent and family engagement requirements under the ESEA, as amended by the

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).  This version of the guidance supersedes the April 2004 version. 


To read and download the updated guidance, click here.

U.S. DOE OCR Releases Fact Sheet Clarifying Civil Rights Requirements for Students with Disabilities in Postsecondary Ed.


The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has released a fact sheet to clarify the civil rights requirements for students with disabilities in postsecondary education.


The fact sheet states, Colleges and universities receiving federal funding must provide reasonable academic accommodations to qualified students with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, but these accommodations cannot significantly alter the essential nature of a program. This process requires a collaborative evaluation between the institution and the student, considering the student's individual needs and the institution's expertise in providing effective accommodations.


To read and download the factsheet, click here.

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January is Glaucoma Awareness Month


January is an important time to spread the word about this sight-stealing disease. More than 3 million people in the United States have glaucoma. The National Eye Institute projects this number will reach 4.2 million by 2030, a 58 percent increase. Glaucoma is called “the sneak thief of sight” since there are no symptoms and once vision is lost, it’s permanent. As much as 40% of vision can be lost without a person noticing.


To learn more from the Glaucoma Research Foundation, click here.


Resources

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A Far Cry from Fair: Health Care Access for People with Disabilities


A virtual webinar on Wednesday, February 5, 2025

12:30 - 2:00 PM ET



Everyone deserves fair and equitable health care, yet people with disabilities face many barriers to receiving this kind of care, including bias from providers, accessibility of space and materials, and cost of care.


The FISA Foundation's (FISA) report, A Far Cry from Fair: Health-care Access for People with disabilities, highlights the persistent barriers that people with disabilities experience in navigating the healthcare system, combining published research with local voices to call for systemic reforms that ensure equitable care for all. This report is part of FISA's larger initiative, Access to Healthcare for People with Disabilities.


Join us for this webinar presented by SPAN's own Dr. Josie Badger discussing the findings from A Far Cry from Fair and next steps.


To register, click here.

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Maternal Health Awareness Day Workshop in Newark on January 23!


January 23 is Maternal Health Awareness Day. The Newark Community Health Centers is recognizing the day with a presentation followed by a workshop at Express Newark.


The presentation, conducted by Dr. Robert C. Like, MD, MS, FAAFP, is entitled "Addressing Social Determinants of Health in Clinical Practice Through Teamwork and Community Collaboration"


Date and Time:

Thursday, January 23

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM


Location:

Express Newark

54 Halsey St., 2nd Floor

Newark, NJ 07102


All interested parties are invited to attend.

Upcoming Events


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


Highlighted Event This Week

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Understanding Vocational Rehabilitation

&

Pre-Employment Transition Services

(Pre-ETS): Part 2


A Presentation by NTACT-The Collaborative


Topics to be discussed:


  • The continuum of VR services, including Pre-Employment
  • Transition Services (Pre-ETS) and VR Transition Services
  • VR Transition Services and who can receive them.
  • What an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) includes, and the role students, youth and parents can play in the development of the IPE.


Date: February 11, 2025

Time: 12:30 - 1:30 PM ET


To register, click here.

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

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Setting Boundaries


Read our latest youth blog post, "Setting Boundaries", to learn how to set healthy limits while using confidence and kindness to make your voice heard.


To access the post, click here.

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