AWAREness
Volume 2
Issue 4 - June 2008
Providing parents of children with disabilities with information, training, assistance, and support
1021 Delaware Avenue
Palm Harbor, FL 34683
1-888-61-AWARE
Conversation, not Confrontation:
One Mom’s Advice on Parent-Teacher Talks
There’s a lot at stake when you and the teacher get together to talk about your child’s learning problems. When communication breaks down, it’s often your child’s learning that suffers most. On the other hand, clear, respectful parent-teacher communication can make a school year better than you’d ever hoped.
In This Issue
Parent-Teacher Talks
Youth and Disability Disclosure
Florida Directory of Early Childhood Services
Get In The Loop!
Inclusive Schools Network
State Regulations Memo
Gov. Crist Signs Bill
Summer Vacation Guide
Section 504
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Youth and Disability Disclosure: The Role of Families and Advocates
Youth with disabilities face many challenges as they move from secondary education to competitive employment, postsecondary education and training, and community participation. Families play a vital role in supporting youth during this transition, often functioning as a youth’s first, most knowledgeable and most consistent “case manager,” who not only assists with service coordination and career exploration, but also provides transportation, housing, and other supports. One vital aspect of a successful transition for youth with disabilities that is often overlooked is appropriate disability disclosure. When youth are in the secondary school system, they are participating in a system of entitlement, where educational services for youth with disabilities are required by Federal law. For more information click here.
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Stop by and Visit the Florida Directory of Early Childhood Services
A Central Directory function is required of all states providing services under the auspices of IDEA, Part C. The purpose of the Central Directory is to provide a coordinated system of information and referral services for families of infants and toddlers with special needs. In Florida, this function is provided through a contract between the Department of Health, State CMS Program Office and an independent, non-profit agency.
Have a peek at the site and see what’s available in your neck of the woods. If you know of a service that is available, but not listed – drop a quick email to the Central Directory.
http://www.centraldirectory.org/
Get in the Loop!
Have you signed up for the Listservs offered by Central Florida Parent Center?
Listserv topics include:
* General Information
* Early Intervention
* Parental Participation
* Students and Young Adults
* School Reform Activities
* Collaboration between Agencies
* Espanol
To sign up to receive information, click here.
The Inclusive
Schools Network:
Connecting Families, Schools
and Communities throughout the World.
The Inclusive Schools Network (ISN) is a web-based resource for families, schools and communities that promotes inclusive educational practices. This resource has grown out of Inclusive Schools Week™, an internationally-recognized annual event sponsored by Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC). Inclusive Schools Network’s mission is “to encourage, embolden and empower people to design and implement effective inclusive schools, by sharing insights and best practices and by providing opportunities for connection.” ISN will provide year-round opportunities for families and educators around the world to network and build their knowledge of inclusive education.
Sometimes our
hearts get tangled
And our souls a little off-kilter
Friends and family can set us right
And help guide us back to the light.
~Sera Christann
What do State Regulations Say About:
· Transition Planning and the IEP?
· The Role of Parents in Developing an IEP?
· Extended School Year?
· Assistive Technology?
With the hope that early diagnosis and treatment of autism will lead to better lives for thousands of children and families, Gov. Charlie Crist signed legislation Tuesday that could force many large insurance plans to cover the increasingly diagnosed condition.
A Summer Vacation Survival Guide for Parents with Out of School Children
The kids are out of
school and summer vacation is in full swing. How are you holding up? The
first week or two of summer vacation usually goes pretty smoothly. The
kids are excited to be out of school and they feel that sense of freedom
to do just about anything they want.
Then the boredom and moodiness starts to set in. You start hearing, "I
don't have anything to do!" or "Why do we have to that?". You know what
I'm talking about. Most of us have been there.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
(Public Law 93-112, amended as Public Law 93-516)
Under Section 504. Section 504 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in public and private programs and activities that receive financial assistance from the federal government. Section 504 guarantees students a free appropriate public education. Students who may not be eligible for services under the IDEA may be eligible for protection from discrimination Compliance oversight is provided by the United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.
For more information on 504 - click here.