December 13, 2023 | Issue 109 (View newsletter as webpage) Para leer este boletín en Español, haga clic aquí

Important News

Moving from pediatric health care to adult health care is called health care transition. Find tools for youth, families, and health care providers at MovingToAdultHealthCare.org.

New Website Helps Youth with IDD Take the Lead In Healthcare Transition

According to the National Survey of Children's Health (data from 2020/2021), 7% of youth aged 12-17 have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Eventually, they will need to transition from pediatric to adult health care services, but only 14% of youth with IDD received health care transition preparation and guidance from their doctor. Teens and young adults with IDD can make this transition smooth with support from their health care providers, families, and other supporters.

The Center for Transition to Adult Health Care for Youth with Disabilities, a national center funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), has launched a new site to help young people and their families take the lead in health care transitions. The accessible site was developed for and by youth with IDD. It has tools and resources for youth and their families, as well as resources for health care professionals who are supporting these families through health care transition.

Visit MovingToAdultHealthCare.org to learn more.

Resources

Expect, Engage, and Empower: Successful Transitions for All!

The third blog in a series of blog posts on secondary transition from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) focuses on self-determination.

Research demonstrates that students with disabilities improve their performance and outcomes when they are held to high expectations and have access to the general education curriculum. By offering and supporting challenging objectives, educators and vocational rehabilitation counselors can have major roles in helping students with disabilities create their foundations of self-determination.

The blog includes four ways educators can help students with disabilities develop self-determination skills and points to self-determination activities that can also help students develop these skills.

To read the blog, click here.

New Resource Portal for College Students

College students who need assistance with housing, food, transportation, childcare, and other matters can now visit BasicNeeds.NJ.gov to get centralized information, including eligibility requirements and application processes for seeking State assistance.

Other services include:

Parenting
Financial Aid
Legal Aid
Health
Education-Related Resources
Tax Assistance

Upcoming Events

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

Highlighted Event This Week

SPAN Resource Parent (SRP) - Virtual Course

Jan. 10 - Feb. 28, 6:30-8:30 PM

Wednesdays, Online

During this SRP (SPAN Resource Parent) training, participants learn about the education and civil rights laws and regulations, as well as the special education process and strategies for working with the school team to ensure appropriate educational programs and related services for children and youth. As attendees, both parents and professionals, are provided with extensive training and ongoing support to help them understand the dynamics of the systems that serve children with disabilities and special healthcare needs.

Individuals who complete the entire training series receive a compilation of useful local, state, and national resources and will then be prepared to share information with families about issues or concerns they may have about their child’s education and development.

To receive a certificate of attendance, you must complete the following:

Attending all eight Zoom sessions and completing assigned work in the Google Classroom
Agree to 30 Hours of Volunteering to receive the training at no charge.
Pay $350.00 if you do not wish to volunteer.

For all of the details and to register, click here.