April 12, 2023 | Issue 74 (View newsletter as webpage) Para leer este boletín en Español, haga clic aquí

Important News

Fast Facts on Traumatic Brain Injury for Students Served Under IDEA

The most recent OSEP Fast Facts provides data about students with traumatic brain injury(TBI)served under IDEA Part B (ages 3 - 21)

Less than .5% of all students with disabilities are identified with TBI. The data show a slight decline from .43% in 2014 to .38% in 2021.

Other comparisons between all students served under IDEA and those with TBI include that students with TBI:

spend less time in the regular education classroom
are more likely to attend a separate school
are more likely to graduate and less likely to drop out

View all of the latest Fast Facts data here

Resources

Youth Advocates for Change Podcasts

In late 2022, the RAISE Youth Advocates for Change (YAFC) began recording podcasts on topics important to them as youth with disabilities.

The YAFC hopes that this podcast highlights youth voice and supports parent centers as they continue to engage with youth and their families.

Topics Include:

The Power of Personal Stories
Invisible vs Visible Disabilities
The Impact of NOT having Accommodations in Place
Involving Youth in Healthcare

Listen to all of the topics and watch for new podcasts here

Resource Hub for New Jersey's Transgender and Nonbinary Community

On the International Transgender Day of Visibility, Governor Phil Murphy announced the launch of Transgender.NJ.gov. This new site is a centralized hub for key information, programs, and services for members and allies of the non-binary and transgender community.

The initial version of the hub includes information such as how to:

Change a name
Acquire legal assistance
Obtain mental health and medical support
Learn about rights and protections

The site was developed with extensive input from the transgender and non-binary communities. It was launched as a beta version so that it can be updated and enhanced based on feedback from those who use it.

Explore the resources available on Transgender.NJ.gov here

Upcoming Events

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

Highlighted Event This Week

Navigating Medicaid Redetermination Webinar for Community Organizations

Wednesday, April 19, 2023 3:00 PM

Our partners at New Jersey Citizen Advocacy have invited Federal and State agencies to discuss best practices for community organizations to navigate Medicaid redetermination and the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency in May, 2023

Representatives from the US Department of Health and Human Services and the NJ Department of Human Services will share recommendations for organizations that serve the public or their own members.

Speakers include:

Dr. Dara Kass, HHS Regional Director, Region 2
Jennifer Jacobs, NJ DHS Assistant Commissioner, Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services

This event is not for the public to attend - a public-facing webinar will be held soon after this event.

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

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