June 7, 2023 | Issue 82 (View newsletter as webpage) Para leer este boletín en Español, haga clic aquí

Important News

The Boggs Center Celebrates Graduation of 2022-2023 NJLEND Fellows

On May 5th, 2023, The Boggs Center celebrated the graduation of the 2022-2023 NJLEND Fellows at the New Jersey Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NJLEND) program’s 7th annual Maternal and Child Health Leadership Symposium. Held in New Brunswick, the symposium was attended by those from the Rutgers community, Children’s Specialized Hospital, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network, and other state and community organizations.

Part of a national network, The Boggs Center’s NJLEND program provides graduate-level interdisciplinary training aimed at preparing the next generation of health leaders to address the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), related developmental disabilities, and other maternal and child health populations.

To learn more about the graduation and the NJLEND program, click here.

To learn about SPAN's participation in the NJLEND program, click here.

The staff and leadership at SPAN would also like to congratulate The Boggs Center for celebrating their 40th Anniversary last week!

Resources

Moving Beyond Change Efforts cover screen shot

Moving Beyond Change Efforts: Evidence and Action to Support and Affirm LGBTQI+ Youth

June is LGBTQI+ Pride Month. To recognize the month, SAMHSA has released a compelling, research- based resource to support and affirm LGBTQI+ youth.

This report, Moving Beyond Change Efforts: Evidence and Action to Support and Affirm LGBTQI+ Youth, provides behavioral health providers, researchers, policymakers, and other audiences with current knowledge about LGBTQI+ youth, a comprehensive research overview, and important information on behavioral health concerns within this community. More specifically, the report provides details on helpful and harmful interventions for these populations in clinical, community, family, and school settings. In particular, the report documents that attempts to change an individual’s sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI; pronounced “SO-gee” change efforts) are harmful and should not be provided. Additionally, this report discusses evidence-informed policy options that could improve the overall health and well-being of LGBTQI+ youth.

To access the report, click here.

US DOE and DOJ Jointly Release "Confronting Racial Discrimination in Student Discipline"

Resource on Confronting Racial Discrimination in Student Discipline cover photo

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division (Justice) jointly released a resource on Confronting Racial Discrimination in Student Discipline. The Resource demonstrates the Departments’ ongoing commitment to the vigorous enforcement of laws that protect students from discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in student discipline. It provides examples of the Departments’ investigations of such discrimination over the last 10 years, reflecting the long-standing approach and continuity in the Departments’ enforcement practices over time and the continuing urgency of assuring nondiscrimination in student discipline in our nation’s schools.

“Discrimination in school discipline can have devastating long-term consequences on students and their future opportunities,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division uses our federal civil rights laws to protect students from discriminatory discipline, including discrimination in suspensions and expulsions, law enforcement referrals and school-based arrests. The investigations that we describe demonstrate how students may experience discrimination based on multiple facets of their identities and reflect our joint commitment to fully protect all students.”

To access the resource, click here.

Upcoming Events

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

Highlighted Event This Week

Using PBIS In School

Tomorrow, June 8, 2023

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET

Online

Children do not lose their constitutional rights when they walk through the schoolhouse door. This workshop summarizes the rights of children with and without disabilities in the area of discipline. What can administrators do? What are the limits on their authority? What are some alternatives to out-of-school suspension? When and before whom must a suspension or expulsion hearing be held?

This workshop provides an overview of a cycle of failure that often results for students with behavioral challenges. The focus is on intervention with students who exhibit challenging behaviors (e.g. aggression, self-injury, tantrums). An emphasis on educational strategies helps students learn alternate behaviors that can lead to long-term change. Information on due process rights of children in the discipline process is also provided.

To register, click here.

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

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