January 5 2024

Make a Difference

The 2024 South Dakota Legislative session begins Tuesday, January 9, 2024, and ends Monday, March 25, 2024, to complete a 38-day session. It is important for you to advocate at every level where decisions are being made. Learn more about the 2024 South Dakota session bills, the committee members, and how to contact your legislator(s) so you can be empowered to provide a voice for your family and community at the South Dakota Legislature website.

Tips For Contacting State Policymakers

Always be truthful and polite in your communication with policymakers. Show appreciation for their time and consideration.

Make yourself the expert, before you address an issue, do some homework. Know the whole issue: who it affects, what others feel about it, how it will influence future trends, and any other information you can gather. Thorough research allows you to present your viewpoint with confidence and credibility, and, combined with your personal experience, is the most effective information you can provide.

Get to know your legislators to make a difference in the legislative process, you must develop a relationship with your legislators. Keep in mind that you can work effectively with someone, regardless of the personal opinions either of you may hold. Although you are unlikely to agree on every issue, you can still build a positive relationship in the long run.

Written Communication

• Include the date and your contact information at top.
• On an email, write a few words in the subject line to summarize your issue. Include bill number if this is what you are addressing.
• Personalize your message with photo of your child(ren) if you can.
• Keep the message to less than one page whenever possible. Not more than two pages.
• Let them know in the first paragraphs of no more than six to eight sentences:

1. who you are
2. why you are writing
3. what you want them to do

• Write a brief personal story (no more than 250 words) in the second paragraph that shares how the issue/bill will affect you, your child, your family, your school, community, etc.
• Thank them for their time and consideration on your position.

Calling

• Write what you want to say and keep it to a maximum of two minutes.
• Include what action you support and link that your experience. For example " I support the 'xyz' bill about "topic". Follow with a sentence that describes your experience or interest in the topic.
• Practice reading aloud what you wrote before you call.
• Find out who to call.
• Be aware of timing. Calls to legislators are often best when there is a specific bill that is going to be acted on quickly and legislators need input from the public. The best way to be aware of timing is to be a part of an e-mail action alert list or a legislative action network.
• Identify yourself and ask to speak to the appropriate person.
• Deliver you message. You may be asked to leave your message on a voice mail.

Giving Testimony

• Find out if you to sign up to testify at a public hearing.
• Prepare a written statement linking your personal story to your issue of concerns.
• Find out how long you may be allowed to speak. Make sure your story is within the time limit. Be prepared for the possibility your time to speak will reduced.
• Ask if copies of your written testimony can be provided to committee members. If yes, find out how many member are on the committee. Ask to have it distributed after your testimony and be sure your contact information is on it.
• Be prepared to answer questions, but it's okay to say "I don't know." Tell them you will follow up and find answers for them.
• Thank them!

Speak Up

This is a great opportunity to have a discussion with the State Department of Education Programs about your experiences, questions, or any concerns you have.

Input from parents is highly valued as part of the State Performance Plan (SPP). The SPP evaluates the state’s efforts at improving educational results for students with disabilities per the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). The areas include preschool and post-school outcomes, assessment, suspension/expulsion, and mediation. Parent/guardian input is important for improving outcomes for students with disabilities. Please plan to join this virtual session to learn about the SPP results and provide feedback to the state on how to improve results.

Monday, January 8, 2024

6:00 - 7:30 CT / 5:00 - 6:30 MT

state-sd.zoom.us/j/94308317576

Meeting ID: 943 0831 7576

For questions or accessibility needs, please contact (605) 773-3678

Second Semester Tips

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season are past and for students, a new semester has begun or will shortly begin – the second lag of a very busy, fast school year.  This is the time of year when parents call because either they have concerns for their student’s progress at school or the school has initiated discussions about concerns they are seeing. We have several publications that may help with questions and concerns that may arise.

• About Evaluation and Re-Evaluation outlines parents' rights when an initial or re-evaluation is conducted.

• Dare to Dialogue is a guide that answers frequent questions that arise in discussions between parents and their local school district.

• Exiting IEP Services and Supports shares that when a student is re-evaluated for special education they may no longer qualify. This brief offers helpful information if a school is recommending exiting a student from IEP services and supports.

Winter Activities

Winter Sensory Bag - Making a bag filled with winter-like sensory items is a great way to allow your child to experience the cold and snow without going outside. You can fill a sealable bag with clear hair gel and refrigerate it to make it cold for your child to squeeze. Adding sparkly ingredients like glitter will give the illusion of ice. Marshmallows or cotton balls can also be added for extra squishiness.

Paint the Snow - Fill some squirt bottles with water and food coloring and then turn the snow into your canvas.

Bake Snowflakes - Warm up some flour tortillas in the microwave, fold them into fourths, and cut out patterns like you would with paper. To make your snowflakes tastier you can brush them with melted butter, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, and bake for a few minutes to get crispy.

Parent Support Group

Connect with other parents and Dr. Dan Shapiro for a group discussion on thoughts, experiences, and most importantly support each other. This support group meets every Monday and provides a different topic of discussion at no cost. The next meeting topic is Parent Depression.

It is not unusual for parents to experience periods of depression. Many parents struggle to reconcile their expectations with life's realities. This is especially true for parents of neurodivergent children. Children with extra needs can bring extra stress and strain. Do you sometimes feel like you're giving everything you have? Please join Dr. Dan Shapiro, MD, and other parents as we support one another. 

Monday, January 8th 2024

12:00 - 1:00 CT / 11:00 - 12:00 MT

REGISTER

New Year Reset

Set Family Meal Times

Kids thrive on routines, so try to eat together as a family and serve meals and snacks around the same time every day if possible. Turn off the TV and put away phones and tablets so you can “unplug” and focus on healthy foods and each other.



Offer Variety

Include choices from each food group- fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, in meals and snacks during each day.

Have a Shopping Buddy

Let kids participate in grocery shopping online or in the store. Reward them by letting them choose their favorite fruit or maybe a new one.

Invest in Cookie Cutters

Cookie cutters are for more than just cutting out sugar cookies – you can use them to cut healthier food options into fun shapes that your kids will love. Try cutting a sandwich into a heart shape to see if your children are more likely to take a bite. Cut a circle out of a slice of whole-grain bread and cook it in a pan with a fried egg or egg white in the middle for a balanced breakfast.

With these tips, you can make mealtime more enjoyable at home while helping your kids get the nutrients they need to grow and develop!

This e-publication was developed under grants from the U.S. Department of Education Project Grant H328M2000666 and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Grant H328M140021, Family to Family Health Information Center, $93,175; 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.