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Tracking court decisions on various special education issues is not easy Deusdedi Merced will discuss how courts have addressed issues with an eye towards what trends, if any, appear to be developing and their implications for the field.

Webinar: Students with Disabilities and the Use of Restraint & Seclusion in K-12 Public Schools
 
The U.S. Department of Education released the below webinar  to address the use of restraint and seclusion in the K-12 public schools.  On January 17, 2019, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced an initiative to examine the possible inappropriate use of restraint and seclusion in our nation's schools. As a part of this initiative, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has partnered with the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to support teachers, school leaders, parents, and stakeholders as they work to address the behavioral needs of children with disabilities.  
Students with Disabilities and the Use of Restraint and Seclusion in K-12 Public Schools 
https://sites.ed.gov/idea/education-department-releases-webinar-use-restraint-seclusion/  
In This Issue
SD Parent Connection offices will be closed on  
Monday, February 17th.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Autism Family Support Group- Sioux Falls
 
Meetings held February 11, March 10, April 14, and May 12 from 6:30-8pm at  USD Health Sciences Center, 1400 W. 22nd Street, Room 126.   
A welcoming environment for parents/caregivers of children & adults with ASD to meet, share experiences, ask questions, and receive support. While you attend, your child/teen/adult can participate in a fun activity. Siblings welcome!  For child/youth attendance, check in from 6-6:30 PM.
 
Pre-registration required!  
 
Contact Letty for more information: (605) 357-1418 or [email protected]   
Training Series for Those Caring For or Working with Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing- Tuesday, February 18 (Session 3)
 
Services and Supports:  How To Navigate Systems 
Learn about the resources that are in place to support families. 
Presenters: Representatives from Communication Service for the Deaf, SD Department of Human Services, Center for Disabilities Deaf-Blind Program, and others.
 
6:30-8:30pm CT / 5:30-7:30pm MT   
Attend live online (link sent after registration) or attend in-person
Rapid City- SDPC Office, 2310 N Maple Ave
Sioux Falls- SDPC Office, 3701 W 49th St, Ste 102
Aberdeen- K.O. Lee Public Library, Community Room 110, 215 4th Ave SE
 
Register at www.surveymonkey.com/r/H5285DB
Contact Teresa Nold with questions/comments:  [email protected] or 800-640-4553.
 
Presented by SD Parent Connection and SD EHDI Collaborative.  
Seeking Nominations- Opportunities To Serve
Board of Vocational Rehabilitation & Statewide Independent Living Council
 
The Board of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) and Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) need your assistance in identifying knowledgeable individuals who are committed to improving employment and independent living services for individuals with disabilities in South Dakota.  The boards are currently seeking nominations for pending vacancies.  Nominations are due Friday, April 10th.   
 
For more information and the nomination form, click here  
 
Questions- Contact BVR and SILC staff at 1.605.494.3613 or at [email protected] 
Lunch & Learn Education Session
Tuesday, March 10 - 12pm CT/11am MT     
 
Options to Resolve Disagreements in Special Education 
Sometimes parents and districts are unable to solve special education concerns and issues independently.  The state Department of Education Office of Special Education (SEP) has several options for parents and districts to assist them in resolving disagreements at no cost.  Please join us to learn more about IEP facilitation, mediation, state complaints, and due process hearings, along with when and how to request, and benefits of using each dispute resolution alternative. Presented by Wendy Trujillo, Assistant Director / Dispute Coordinator, 
Special Education Programs, South Dakota Department of Education   

Ways to Join
In-person
Sioux Falls SDPC Office (presenter in-person) 3701 West 49th Street, Suite 102
Rapid City SDPC Office (hosted site) 2310 North Maple Ave

Live Online- Join live online via computer or your cell phone.
Phone- 1-888-858-6021, followed by code 439-559-7079 

Recorded Online- View current and past recorded sessions online anytime by visiting www.sdparent.org under Online Training.

Registration encouraged, but not required
Free Training Opportunity:  Work Incentives for SSI and SSDI Beneficiaries

Many people with disabilities want to work, but fear losing access to critical programs like Social Security or healthcare under Medicaid and Medicare. This training is designed to dispel myths about working and the impact on disability programs. Participants will gain a practical understanding of work incentives that encourage people with disabilities to work.
 
Wednesday, April 8 -- Hilton Garden Inn, 814 E Mall Dr, Rapid City
Thursday, April 9 -- Hilton Garden Inn, 814 E Mall Dr, Rapid City  
Thursday, April 16 -- Highland Conf Center, 2000 Highland Way, Mitchell 
Tuesday, April 21 -- Watertown Event Center, 1901 9th Ave SW, Watertown
Tuesday, May 5 -- LaQuinta, 4521 W 41st St, Sioux Falls
Wednesday, May 6 -- LaQuinta, 4521 W 41st St, Sioux Falls
Wednesday, May 20 -- Minervas, 1607 E Hwy 50, Yankton

All training sessions will be from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
 
Questions can be sent to [email protected] 
Sibshop- Saturday, March 21
10 AM - 1 PM
LifeScape- 2501 West 26th Stree t, Sioux Falls      
   
   
For questions and/ or to register your child/ren
Register online     /  605-361-3171 /  [email protected]  
More Activities Posted On Our Events Calendar


Click Here For Transition Services Liaison Project Statewide Training Opportunities
Statewide
Feb 21
Project SEARCH Applications Due February 21
Project SEARCH is a unique business-led transition program for students with disabilities.  Students who want to work have the chance to explore careers and develop transferable job skills. The goal of the Project SEARCH program is competitive employment for each intern. Designed as an internship program, Project SEARCH affords students the opportunity to put employability skills into practice. For five days a week, students report to the host business and learn employability skills in the classroom and job skills while participating in targeted internships.  They receive support with accommodations, adaptations, and on-the-job coaching. Students who have completed all academic requirements for graduation from high school may apply for enrollment in Project SEARCH. Participants must be 18 to 21 years old. Contact the program coordinator directly for an application.
Project Search Sites Information 
Aberdeen,
 Brookings,
 Rapid City, Sioux Falls
Feb 26
Annual Disability Awareness Day at the Capitol
Pierre
March 17 & 18
South Dakota Special Education Conference
"It's A Game Changer"
Sioux Falls
March 18
Catch the Wave - Transition Event   
9am-2:30pm, Mitchell Technical Institute  Flyer
Mitchell
March 18
Webinar
March 21
9:30am-4:30pm with an hour break for lunch on your own. This training for in-home childcare providers provides strategies to give children the skills and knowledge they need to be ready to read. Participants will leave with posters, checklists, visuals, and other resources to support valuable brain building work with children aged birth to five. Register at: sdsfec.org/earlyliteracy 

March 25
Catch the Wave - Transition Event 
9am-2:30pm,Southeast Technical InstituteFlyer 
Sioux Falls
March 27
LifeScape Pathways to Life Open House for  
High School Students, Families and Staff 
 Friday, March 27th, 9 AM - Noon, 1 - 3 PM
Come and learn more about this exciting option for high school students to transition to adulthood.  Activities will include, tours, visits with students on their transition processes, and an opportunity to meet with representatives from different agencies to support the transition process. 
Address: Vista Park, 2801 S. Kiwanis Ave., Suite 100
Contact: [email protected] or call 605-444-9656
Sioux Falls
March 31
Catch the Wave- Transition Event
9am-2pm, WDT & SDSM&T.  Flyer 
Rapid City
April 7
Opportunity Career Expo
8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Augustana University Elem Center
Flyer for more information
Sioux Falls
April 23-25
SD Early Childhood Education Conference
"Developing Brains Matter"
Sioux Falls
May 27-28
2020 SD Education Conference
"Strengthening Foundations & Connections"
https://doe.sd.gov/title/2020-conference/
Oacoma
June 11-12
Lighting The Way Autism Conference
Sioux Falls
June 15-16
2020 Transition Summer Institute
Pierre

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This e-publication was developed under grants from the U.S. Department of Education Project Grant H328M140021 and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Grant H84MC07994, Family to Family Health Information Center, $96,750; and approximately 5% financed with non-governmental resources. The contents should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by US Department of Education, HRSA, HHS or the Federal Government.