April 26, 2022 | Issue 26 (View newsletter as webpage)

Important News

NJ Department of Education: Providing Additional Services to Students with Disabilities Beyond Age 21

The New Jersey Department of Education provided guidance to school districts, students, and parents/guardians of students with disabilities regarding the implementation of P.L.2021, c.109, which allows schools to provide additional or compensatory special education and related services to eligible students with disabilities beyond the age of 21.

The guidance includes information for school districts/LEAs about:

The role of the IEP team in determining the need for additional services
Sharing information with families about this legislation
Dispute resolution
Reimbursements to school districts for providing additional services beyond age 21

Review the Guidance here

View additional Guidance regarding extending the period of time to file a due process hearing request

Contact the SPAN Warmline via email for assistance related to these guidance documents or call

800-654-SPAN (7726)

Resources

Empowering Families for Children's Vision Webinar

Thursday, May 12, 2022

4:00 - 5:30 PM

The webinar will focus on children ages 3 to 8 years.

Target Audience: Parents/caregivers and professionals (Early Care and Education; Medical, School Nurses, and Educators)

Participants will learn:

how to identify and use community, medical, and school resources to enhance the vision health of children with disabilities and/or special health care needs.
How eye care providers work with families to diagnose vision problems early to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Nicole Pratt from SPAN will share her story as the parent of a child who has a vision disorder, along with a panel of other experts.

For more information, contact dfishman@preventblindness.org

World Immunization Week April 24 - 30, 2022

Vaccines help make it possible for everyone to pursue a life well-lived.

World Immunization Week highlights the importance of vaccines and how they protect people of all ages against many diseases. After the last two years, we are all too familiar with the loss, fear and uncertainty that accompany disease outbreaks.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many essential health services, including immunizations. About 23 million children missed out on basic vaccines in 2020 - the highest number in over ten years.

Learn more about World Immunization Week here

View additional World Health Organization (WHO) resources here

Access Up to Date information about COVID-19 vaccines from SPAN here

Contact a medical professional for specific information about you or your child’s health.

Upcoming Events

See what's happening

SPAN offers a variety of learning opportunities for families and the professionals who work with them. Check out our Event Calendar here for details and registration links

Upcoming Events include:

More events

Decorative photo of diverse teens eating pizza.

We want to hear from Individuals with I/DD and their family members!

Participate in a Focus Group to share your perspectives on:

The ways in which people with I/DD from underserved communities and their families access information about services and supports.

Your feedback will help to inform the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities about the ways in which information about supports and services can be most effectively shared in underserved communities.

To register, fill out the

Pre-participation survey here

Stipends will be provided to those who are selected to participate in the focus groups.

Share your SPAN testimonial story! CLICK HERE

Join the SPAN Team - View Open Positions here

SPAN Parent Advocacy Network | spanadvocacy.org

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