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Inside this Issue...
Spotlight.............................. p. 2
IDEA Regulations............... p. 2
Update................................. p. 2
Leadership Forum ............... p. 3
Director’s Desk .................. p. 3
Family Story ........................ p. 4
Hispanic Family Enrichment Weekend .............................. p. 5
Family Voices........................ p. 5
Seclusion & Restraint ......... p. 5
Resources……...................... p. 6
Calendar of Events…........…p. 7
Chiefs Ability Camp............ p. 7
FEW & PNC Registration ......................insert
Statewide Conference Registration..................... insert |
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Volume 70 |
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Sept. 2006 |
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Educating, Assisting, Supporting, and Informing through this newsletter... A newsletter for and by parents with sons & daughters with disabilities and education advocates. |
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3033 W. 2nd Suite 106 Wichita, KS 67203 (316) 945-7747 or 888-815-6364 |
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Kansas City Center 1-877-499-5369 Garden City Center 1-888-820-6364 Statewide Spanish parent line 1-800-499-9443
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(All toll free numbers for Kansas parents & education advocates) |
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New School Year, New Opportunities Submitted by Darla Nelson-Metzger, Topeka Center
The end of summer marks the beginning of school supplies, enrollment, open houses, and the first day of school for our kids. Because our business is assisting families with sons and daughters with disabilities, fall starts a new year for our staff as well. Summer is a time when we plan, schedule, and create new and exciting ways to continue our service to Kansas families. A significant part of what Families Together does is offer workshops to parents, foster and adoptive parents, educators, and other interested persons. We offer a variety of topics and are pleased to announce and excited to bring you the addition of three new workshops. With the 2004 Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Congress placed high emphasis on students with disabilities accessing and participating in the general education curriculum. Families Together supports the premise that all students are general education students first, yet some students require special education services to assist them in the general education curriculum. The Kansas State Board of Education has developed standards in language arts, mathematics, social studies and science for ALL Kansas students. This includes students with disabilities. Teams must write Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to reflect the state standards as well as address how every student will participate in state and district wide assessments. Families Together has developed a workshop entitled, “Linking IEPs to State Standards”. In this workshop, participants will receive tools to help them get to know one another as well as the student and develop strong present levels of academic achievement and functional performance. Also, we will discuss how to develop measurable goals based on the present levels and the state standards. Lastly, participants will understand what supports and services may be given to or on behalf of a student. A second training which emphasizes all students as general education students first is the “Building Partnerships: Family, School, and Community.” This workshop has two formats: one for school personnel and the other for families. It focuses on activities in which schools and parents can engage to build partnerships with one another to benefit all students. Current research is discussed as well as the six core principles of parent participation. This is a fun and interactive workshop for all.
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“Planning for the Transition from School to Adult Life” is newly updated workshop available for families and the professionals with whom they work. The reauthorization emphasizes a results-oriented approach and a focuses on improved results for young adults after high school. Measurable postsecondary goals are now to be part of the IEPs of students 14 years of age and older. The postsecondary goal becomes the vision driving the transition IEP. Several other exciting changes will be discussed in this workshop. If you are the parent of a 12 year old or older student, this workshop is a definite must! Families Together continues to offer many other workshops as well. “Special Education Law and You” and “Five-Oh What?” focus on the educational and civil rights laws which protect your son or daughter with a disability. Team building and IEP development is the focus of “IEP Development: A Team Effort” and “Effective Advocacy”. The workshops “Discipline” and “Strategies to Help Uncover the Causes of Challenging Behaviors” highlight suspension and |