As Luck Would Have It

South Dakota Parent Connection is hiring! This is something that does not happen often because we have great staff who have been with us for several years. Are you looking to join a dedicated team in an environment where you will make a difference to South Dakota families? This could be the place for you!

We are currently hiring a Program Support Specialist. This position serves as our office receptionist and provides support to staff and projects. Work hours are Monday - Thursday from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.  If you have clerical experience, strong computer skills, including using social media tools, and good oral and written communication abilities this position may be for you.

Jennifer Wentzel, the current Program Support Specialist wants you to know, "This position has been fulfilling to me in so many ways. I love the mission of our organization. I leave work each day knowing that I have contributed to supporting families that have unique needs and many times don't know where to find help. I am ready to help share my knowledge with my replacement."

For more information call Dr. Carla Miller at (605) 361.3171 or email her at cmiller@sdparent.org.

Volunteers Needed

If you thought the Program Support Specialist position sounded interesting but you are looking for a fulfilling volunteer role, South Dakota Parent Connection may be the place for you too!

We are looking for individuals to serve on our board of directors. The South Dakota Parent Connection Board is comprised of talented individuals from all over our great state and at least half are parents of individuals with disabilities.  Board members serve in various capacities based on interest, talent and expertise.

If you are looking for an experience where you can help strengthen families across South Dakota, please contact Dr. Carla Miller at (605) 361.3171 or cmiller@sdparent.org.

Lucky You Didn't Miss This

South Dakota Parent Connection, in partnership with the Sioux Falls School District, is offering this series on how to navigate what comes next.

These sessions will be held Monday evenings beginning March 20th and go through April 17th from 6:30 - 8:00 pm.

This in person, five-session series presents an overview of resources for transition planning and is designed to give families of young adults, ages 15 to 19, with disabilities information to help them navigate systems and move forward in positive, productive ways.

The Sioux Falls School District would like to extend an invitation to families in other school districts surrounding Sioux Falls, who would like to attend this series. Space is limited so don't wait.

Registration Required by March 16, 2023

Contact South Dakota Parent Connection or (800) 640.4553 with any questions

Guardianship and Alternatives

The Aberdeen School District and South Dakota Parent Connection are co- hosting an educational session on guardianship and alternatives, what are the options and how to choose.

Carrie Geppert, Family Advocacy Coordinator from the Division of Developmental Disabilities and Amanda Martin, from Disability Rights South Dakota will introduce Charting the LifeCourse framework and tools to help identify whether guardianship, or alternatives, are a good fit for your student’s

support needs.

This informational event will be on Monday, April 3rd from 6:00 - 7:30 at the K.O. Lee Aberdeen Public Library in Aberdeen, SD. If you are a student, family member, or teacher, this event will help answer questions about guardianship, why it is important, who to talk to about it, and much more.

Group Work

South Dakota Parent Connection is offering a virtual series for family members who want to become more involved and effective in a group. Each session in this series will be Tuesday evening, starting April 4th through April 18th from 7:30 - 9:00 CT / 6:30 - 8:00 MT.

This series will help you gain skills, strategies, and a greater understanding to help you confidently and actively participate in a decision-making group. There is a $15 non-refundable registration fee and scholarships are available to cover this cost. Send email request for a scholarship to lsanderson@sdparent.org.

Upcoming Opportunities

Here are some educational opportunities offered by South Dakota Parent Connection and by other organization's that can help support South Dakota families. A complete list of events can be found on our website at ww.sdparent.org or Facebook page.

March 20, 27, April 3, 10, and 17, 2023 - Shift Transition Sessions: South Dakota Parent Connection is offering these sessions to provide transition information and resources to parents and young adults with disabilities.

At this time, Shift is open to families in Sioux Falls and surrounding area.

March 23, 2023 - Anger Management for Youth: A free interactive training for youth to learn strategies to identify and cope with their anger in healthier ways.

April 3, 2023 - Guardianship and Alternatives: Carrie Geppert, Family Advocacy Coordinator from the Division of Developmental Disabilities and Amanda Martin, from Disability Rights South Dakota will introduce Charting the LifeCourse framework and tools to help identify whether guardianship, or alternatives, are a good fit for

your student’s support needs.

April 4, 11, and 18, 2023 - Serving on Groups That Make Decisions: A Workshop for Families: Gain skills, strategies, and greater understanding to help you confidently and actively participate in a decision-making group.

April 4, 2023 - Catch The Wave: One-day conference for high school students who have a disability and are

considering post-secondary education at a university or technical college. Students, parents, special educators, school counselors, and any other interested individual may attend.

April 21, 2023 - Sibshop: This free event provides siblings of children with special health. mental health, and developmental needs an opportunity for peer support in a relaxed, recreational setting. During this time we will enjoy games, information activities, food, and swimming!

June 7 - 8, 2023 - 15th Annual Lighting The Way Autism Conference: The Augustana University Sharon Lust School of Education will host its 15th annual Lighting the Way Autism Conference at Memorial Middle School on Wednesday, June 7, and Thursday, June 8. The keynote speaker for June 7 will be Dr. Christine Reeve, a nationally recognized clinical psychologist, special education consultant and expert on autism, and on June 8, the keynote speech will be delivered by Franne Sippel, Ed.D., and Becky Kuch, NCC, LPC-MH, the co-creators of Shrink Rap the Podcast. Stay tuned for more information on this year's event.

June 13 - 14, 2023 - Midwest Conference on Deaf Education: The mission of this conference is to provide professional development opportunities to individuals who work with deaf and hard-of-hearing youth,

birth to 21.

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.