| |
Navigating Excellence - Parent Center Assistance & Collaboration Team
Region A E-News
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Inspirational Quote
"Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world." - Author Joel Barker
|
|
Message from Carolyn & Diana
Each of our parent centers has a vision and a mission that includes building the capacity of families of and children with disabilities to be able to access the services they need to achieve their best outcomes. And each of our staff take action every day to reach that vision. NE-PACT is here to help you combine your vision with action and change the world for the children, youth and families we serve, so don't hesitate to contact us! (Emails are best). Looking forward to seeing you in Rhode Island April 1-2!
|
|
Reminder about the NE-PACT/Region A Parent Center Workspace!
You've been invited to join NE-PACT: A group for Region A Parent Centers.
Check your email for this invitation to our
universal location to house all of our resource collections, materials, documents, and files, including the Transition Resource Repository, Trauma Toolkit, Drop-in call notes, webinar announcements and recordings, peer to peer and CQI applications, TA resources, and much more! Reach out to Rosslin Mensah-Boateng at
[email protected]
if you can't find your invitation or need other assistance accessing the new Region A parent center workspace.
|
|
Featuring...
NH Parent Information Center: On their home page, NH PIC has an infographic with ten reasons to contact their Parent Information Center, from "My child is struggling in school and I don't know what to do," to "I want to learn how to get more parents involved."
Check it out.
Parent Network of WNY:
The Parent Network of WNY hosts The Parent Network Pod, a podcast that provides parents and professionals with the information and advice they need to be successful in their everyday lives. The nine podcasts include episodes dealing with self-care, first steps when your child has a disability, effective communication with the school, all about IEPs, inclusion, family engagement (Parts I and II), the Center for Allied and Unified Sport and Exercise, and courts working with educators and the community. Find them here.
|
|
Opportunity to Make an Impact
WHO Quality Rights Initiative
: The World Health Organization QualityRIghts Initiative is working to improve access to quality mental health services globally and to promote the human rights of people with mental health conditions and psychosocial, intellectual, and cognitive disabilities. As part of this initiative they are developing a good practice guidance document with information on community-based mental health services that promote human rights and the recovery approach. They are asking advocates to help identify people-centered services that operate without coercion, and that respond to people's needs by promoting autonomy, inclusion in the community, and the involvement of people with lived experience at all levels of decision-making. This should include services that support people experiencing acute crises but that do not resort to force, coercion, involuntary admission and treatment or the use of seclusion and restraints. By completing the questionnaire, you will have the opportunity to submit up to five mental health services that you believe should be considered as a good practice. Anyone involved in providing a service, has experience of using a service, or knows of a service is welcome to complete the questionnaire. Please note that they are not looking for services specifically focused on e-interventions, phone-based interventions, training programs, employment and housing programs, prevention programs, or services focused on advocacy and/or system reform. Please complete the survey by 6/30/19.
|
|
|
Upcoming Events/Dates to Remember
Promoting Early Learning for Children of Immigrants: Family and Early Care and Education Supports, April 3, 2-3:30 pm ET: Engaged families, and early care and education programs, play a vital role in fostering children's early development and in helping children of immigrants succeed in school and life. This webinar highlights the benefits of supporting immigrant mothers and fathers as they promote their young children's early learning at home and school. Lessons learned from two program interventions will be shared: 1) engaging Latina mothers as stakeholders involved in promoting their children's elementary school achievement, and 2) supporting Mexican-American fathers' positive parenting of their young children. Also presented is evidence suggesting that early care and education programs enhance academic and behavioral outcomes for young children in immigrant families. Implications for practice and recommendations for policy and future research will be discussed.
Register here!
The Transformational Power of Starting with Well-Being Tuesday 4/23 at 1 pm ET: What would it mean to fundamentally shift our focus from fixing problems to fostering wellbeing-the needs and experiences essential for health and hope? For organizations, systems and communities working to stop the wicked cycles of poverty, violence, trauma and oppression, starting with wellbeing creates possibilities for lasing change in people's lives and opens the door to greater equity in society. Join FFI for a webinar that will explore the principles of a wellbeing orientation and provide an overview of the Five Domains of Wellbeing. Join the Full Frame Initiative and learn about first steps you can take to help increase equitable access to wellbeing.
Register today!
|
|
Non-Profit Management Resources
 11 Websites for Non-Profit Learning:
Whether you're a seasoned fundraiser or new to the field, every nonprofit professional needs to keep a pulse on industry trends and best practices. The way donors want to engage with organizations is constantly evolving, so nonprofits need to stay on top of everything from technology and social media, to marketing and storytelling. As a best practice, you should have a running list of resources that help you stay up to date on all things nonprofit-related. To make it easy for you, the online site Classy has rounded up some essential software and blogs worth consulting, no matter your organizational size or mission. Find these resources here.
|
Family-Centered Services Resources
Resources to Support Fathers:
The Annie E. Casey Foundation has compiled a list of the 40 top resources for supporting fathers. They are a snapshot of web-based materials including field-shaping research and information sites, practical tools, and programmatic guidance for the important work of fatherhood.
|
Youth-Centered Services Resources
Young at Heart: How to Be Youth-Centered in the 21st Century:
The world is home to the largest generation of young people in history. They are diverse, they have opportunities, but they also face immense obstacles in their lives. Young people and adolescents need to be able to make informed decisions. This document is an introduction for decision makers, service providers and youth leaders within the Federation on how IPPF can build on its legacy and transition to a youth-centered approach. It addresses the questions: what does this new thinking include? What does it mean in practice? How should we implement it? How should we measure progress? Find out more.
|
Absenteeism
Higher rates of absenteeism in high crime areas: A new
study suggests living in a high-crime area is linked to higher rates of student absenteeism.
|
Bilingual/LEP
Four Reasons English Learners Lack Access to Quality STEM Learning:
Read these four reasons why English learners are facing barriers to quality STEM learning and possible solutions.
|
Budget
What to Know About Education Funding in the President's Budget Proposal:
From early childhood to adult education, share how the President's budget proposals would affect specific education programs. Then, questions are posed for the administration and the field about what we still need to know. Read more.
|
Bullying
Childhood Depression and Bullying: New research finds that two- and three-year-olds who both bully and are the targets of bullying are the most likely to show signs of childhood depression.
Read more.
|
Early Childhood/Early Intervention
New Tool to Help States Improve Outcomes for Babies: Reach this
report that highlights how each state is serving, or failing to serve, its youngest residents.
Pre-K in American Cities: Check out this
overview of data that analyzes preschool programs across the country, pointing out what has and hasn't worked.
What About EI and Early Childhood Special Education
: Read this blog post about children served by early intervention and early childhood special education.
|
Education Reform/Every Student Succeeds Act/School Improvement
Police in Schools = Decreased Academic Performance:
Two new studies found a link between an increased police presence in schools and neighborhoods and worse academic outcomes for students.
|
Equity
Prioritizing Racial Equity in the Early Years:
More than 10,000 babies will be born in the US today. Much of their success in life will depend on key decisions policymakers make now. One of those key decisions is to promote policies that can ensure babies thrive. Two very different futures can grow from disparate access to opportunity early in life. Roughly half the babies born today are of color; they face social inequality and structural racism that can undermine their life changes. Read more.
|
Health
Genetics Education Materials for School Success: The aim of GEMSS is to assure all children with genetic health conditions succeed in school-life. Children who have genetic conditions, about 1 in 20, are members of neighborhood schools across the country. GEMSS encourages collaboration between families, school, and medical professionals. There are materials for schools, families, and healthcare providers, available.
Check it out.
Structural Factors Shape the Effects of the Opioid Epidemic on Pregnant Women and Infants: In the January 2019 issue of JAMA (January 2019, Volume 321, Issue 4), a study found that higher levels of unemployment rates were associated with higher rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a condition attributed to the exposure of opioids during pregnancy. The researchers also found a significant association between countries that had a shortage of mental health professionals and higher rates of NAS. The findings suggest that to significantly address the impact of opioid use on neonates and their families, research and policy must reach beyond clinics and into community infrastructure, such as local economic and mental health conditions.
Read more.
|
Homelessness
Data Shows Significant Increase in Homelessness: New federal data show a 70 percent increase over the last decade in the number of students experiencing homelessness, with big (negative) implications for academic performance. Read more.
|
Immigrant
 Challenging Anti-Immigrant Bias in the US: The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has a curriculum intended to help students build empathy and understanding for the experiences of immigrants, appreciate the integral role that immigrants have always played in U.S. life, heighten their awareness about the negative effects of anti-immigrant bias and challenge discrimination on personal and institutional levels. Teaching today's children to see beyond anti-foreign stereotypes and to look at our nation's immigration challenges in thoughtful ways is a certain way to build a better tomorrow.
Check it out.
|
Inclusion
Inclusion Increasingly the Norm for Students with Disabilities: More students with disabilities are being educated alongside their typically-developing peers, according to new federal data. Nearly 95% of kids with disabilities spent at least part of their day in a regular education classroom in 2016. Over half - 63% - were in such classes at least 80% of the time. That's up roughly 6 percent from a decade prior. The figures come from a U.S. Department of Education report to Congress about implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Read the article in
Disability Scoop.
|
Juvenile Delinquency/Juvenile Justice
For juveniles in solitary confinement, the psychological torture lingers
:
A 16-year-old paces back and forth. He's been locked in a small room -- completely alone -- for 23 hours a day for several weeks. This isn't the opening scene of a Hollywood thriller. It's the daily reality for thousands of American adolescents who are subjected to solitary confinement after being charged with crimes, convicted, and sentenced as adults. Solitary confinement is dangerous for these youth -- and for society at large. It causes severe psychological harm and impedes reintegration into society. It's time to put convicted teenagers in correctional facilities with people their own age -- and prohibit solitary confinement for those under the age of 18. Read more.
The Criminal Justice Reforms Trump Didn't Mention in His State of the Union
:
In his State of the Union address, President Trump lauded Republican and Democratic members of Congress for coming together to pass criminal justice reforms. The First Step Act, which was signed by Trump in late December, reduces prison sentences for thousands of nonviolent federal inmates. But another bipartisan measure signed in December, which will make sweeping changes to the nation's juvenile justice system, has received far less attention from the president and members of Congress even though it could impact more people since it also applies to state prisons and local jails. Under the new law, known as the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, states must begin collecting data on racial disparities in the juvenile system -- and develop specific strategies for addressing those inequalities. If they don't, they will risk losing federal funding that helps them collect data on juvenile crime. Currently, all but three states -- Connecticut, Nebraska and Wyoming -- receive such funding. Read more.
To Build a Positive Youth Justice System, Follow These Three Steps
:
The juvenile justice system has proven to be ineffective, harmful and excessively expensive. Overwhelming evidence shows that involvement in the juvenile justice system in and of itself produces negative outcomes for young people. When the
first juvenile court was established in Chicago
in 1899, its purpose was to create a system separate from the criminal court to meet youth needs rather than punish their acts. Since that time, the juvenile justice system in America has failed to fulfill this vision. Instead, it is plagued by high recidivism rates, it often causes
further harm to youth
, and it carries
enormous costs
. In a phrase, the juvenile justice system can be successfully reformed if we reduce, improve and reinvest: significantly reduce the size and the number of youth in the system; thoroughly improve the conditions and services provided to a smaller number of youth who remain in the system; and use the hundreds of millions of dollars in savings from a massive reduction in the size of the system to reinvest in the youth, their families and the communities where they live. Check it out.
|
LGBTQ
What can we learn about inclusive teaching and learning from California and New Jersey? In the fourth post in her
series
on LGBTQ-inclusive open learning, Sabia Prescott looks at two examples of states that are approaching
inclusive
learning and what this means for LGBTQ students and their schools.
|
Mental Health
Another Tool to Support Student Mental Health? Kids Talking to Kids: Read about a New Mexico school that is addressing sexual assault, suicide, and other hard topics with help from the people students are most likely to listen to: each other.
Check it out.
Kids Mental Health Portal:
Access a wealth of resources on recognition, diagnosis, and treatment of children's mental health on the Kids Mental Health Portal.
|
Military Families & Youth
Military OneSource: Info for Your Work and the Families You Serve
:
Read and download information without a login!
Military OneSource's website
is a treasure-trove of information and resources for military families, with updated and accurate information about military family support programs and resources for family members with disabilities. The latest website update for The Branch makes it easy for anyone to read articles and download individual resources. If you want to order some of their military-friendly products, they show you how to log in!
|
Native American Families & Youth
Behavioral Health Services for American Indians and Alaska Natives
: SAMHSA's new Treatment Improvement Protocol (
TIP
),
TIP 61:
Behavioral Health Services for American Indians and Alaska Natives
(
TIP 61
), provides practical and culturally relevant guidance on how best to provide effective behavioral health services to clients in this population. Download it!
|
| Parent/Family Engagement (and Youth!)
Trends in Parent Involvement in Schools:
In 2016, the percentages of students whose parents reported attending a general meeting at their child's school, a parent-teacher conference, or a school or class event reached their highest recorded levels (89, 78, and 79%, respectively).
That same year, there were large disparities by educational attainment in the percentage of parents who attended school or class events (54 and 93%, respectively, for parents with less than a high school degree and those with a graduate/professional degree), and who volunteered or served on a committee at their child's school (25 and 65%, respectively). These disparities have remained relatively constant since 1996.
Also in 2016, the percentage of parents who attended school or class events differed by poverty status (62 and 93%, respectively, for households in poverty and those not in poverty), as did the share of parents who volunteered or served on a committee (27 and 47%, respectively). Find out more and find out why.
|
| Poverty
How to Cut Child Poverty in Half Over Ten Years:
Child poverty in the U.S. could be cut in half over the next 10 years with a few simple steps, according to a
new report
from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The cost would be high - at least $90 billion a year. But the National Academies report warns that the price of not doing anything would be far greater. The group estimates that current levels of child poverty cost the U.S. between $800 billion and $1.1 trillion a year, due to lower productivity when poor children become adults and increased costs due to higher crime and poor health. Individual children also suffer, because they face lower educational achievement, maltreatment and other obstacles related to growing up poor. In the end, the panel says, the whole country pays the price. Find out more about their proposed solutions.
|
Racism
Racial Profiling within the Juvenile Justice System
: Jeff Wallace, a former incarcerated youth, sits down to discuss the racial disparities found in the juvenile justice system. Wallace shares his experiences, along with discussing his role in assisting youths of color navigate the juvenile justice system. Wallace talks trauma-informed care and policy efforts that we can take to help mitigate the effects of the juvenile justice system. List to the podcast.
 White School Districts Receive Additional Funding: A new report finds that predominantly white school districts receive $23 billion in additional funding compared to districts with that serve mostly students of color, in large part because of how we fund education (primarily through property taxes). A school district's resources often come down to how wealthy an area is and how much residents pay in taxes. Learn how this works.
|
Social-Emotional Learning
Positive Greetings at the Door:
Read the results of this study of the impact of the "Positive Greetings at the Door" strategy on improving middle school students' classroom behavior. Results revealed that this low-cost proactive classroom management strategy had high-yield results, producing significant improvements in academic engaged time and reduction in disruptive behavior.
Solid Practical Science to Prevent School Violence
:
Make sure you take a moment to read Dennis Embry's Morning Zen post in honor of the first anniversary of the Parkland shootings. The tools to change the developmental trajectory from first grade through the early twenties-reducing and even preventing lifetime aggressive, bullying and violent behavior, are right in front of us - and have been for decades. We just need to use them. Find out more.
|
Teachers
Where It Matters Most: Classroom Tips for Teachers:
Presented in an easy-to-read, no-nonsense format,
this resource
is a must-have for any teacher or administrator. These useful classroom tips will help teachers to stay on track, get back on track, or even expand their repertoire of effective practices-from starting the school day to ending it. Inside, you will find a clear description of the identified practice along with a suggested time allotment and method for implementing it. The practices cover the following areas: 1. Starting the Day; 2. Starting the Class; 3. Ending the Class; 4. Ending the Day; 5. Classroom Routines.
|
Transition to Adult Life/Youth
What Were You Thinking? Brain Development in Young Adults
: Implementation Science and Practice Advances Research Center (iSPARC) is out with a new tip sheet focusing on brain development in young adults. This tip sheet describes typical and atypical brain development in young adulthood, and what can be expected in terms of executive functioning, impulse control, risk-taking, and other behaviors. Best practices for working with young adults by understanding their developing brain and resources to learn more are provided. Read the
tip sheet on the iSPARC website.
New Directions to Improve Preventive Care Discussions for Adolescents and Young Adults: In
Pediatrics
, Santelli et al. report findings from a national survey of adolescents and young adults about discussing potentially sensitive topics with medical providers during primary care visits. Notably, private time with providers, explanation of confidentiality, and risk-factor screening were associated with discussing more topics during these visits. Collectively, these findings provide important direction for efforts to improve the delivery of adolescent preventive care.
Online Training Resources on Working with Youth in Transition
: Pathways Transition Training Partnership has launched five new 5-7 minute video briefs on key concepts and skills for working with transition-aged youth and young adults. Each video brief is accompanied by discussion questions and links to resources for further learning. The new video briefs focus on working with Native American youth, working with LGBTQ youth, supporting young people as they form adult relationships, collaborating with peer support providers, and supporting youth advocacy.
Access them here.
Visualizing the Youth Apprentice's Journey: Check out this
infographic that illustrates a student's journey through a typical youth apprenticeship pathway.
Working Effectively with Diverse Families and Youth in Transition: Open Doors for Multicultural Families in Washington state works with culturally and linguistically diverse families of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Their bilingual/bicultural Family Support staff serves immigrant and refugee families as well as people of color in 9 languages. Open Doors' Cultural Competency Series: Working Effectively with Diverse Youth & Families in Transition is an excellent set of videos for Parent Centers who seek training on communicating with diverse communities on disability-related topics. Watch the videos.
|
Trauma, Toxic Stress, and Resilience
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-80487462-59833fb6d088c000112fcc2c.jpg) The Effects of Childhood Trauma:
Although adults often say things like, "He was so young when that happened. He won't even remember it as an adult," childhood trauma can have a lifelong effect. And while kids are resilient, they're not made of stone. That's not to say a child will be emotionally scarred for life if he endures a horrific experience. With appropriate interventions, adults can help kids recover from traumatic experiences more effectively. But it's important to recognize when a child may need professional help with dealing with a trauma. Early intervention could prevent a child from experiencing ongoing effects of the trauma as an adult. Find out more from VeryWellMind.
|
|
| |
|
|
ABOUT THE REGION A PARENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER
The Navigating Excellence-Parent Assistance and Collaboration Team (NE-PACT), the Region A Technical Assistance Center, provides technical assistance to federally-funded parent centers -- Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs) -  located in the states of
CT-AFCAMP
,
CT-CPAC
, DC-AJE, DE-PIC, MD-PPMD,
ME-MPF
,
MA-FCSN
,
NH-PIC
,
NJ-SPAN
,
NJ-ASCF
,
NY-AFC
, NY-CIDA, NY-LIAC,
NY-UWS
,
NY-Starbridge
,
NY-INCLUDEnyc
,
NY-Sinergia
,
NY-PNWNY
, PA-HUNE, PA- ME, PA-PEAL, PR-APNI,
RI-RIPIN
, VI-DRVI and
VT-VFN
. These Parent Centers are independent non-profit organizations. We also provide support to emerging parent centers and parent organizations serving families of children with or at risk of being identified as having disabilities. In addition, we work with early intervention and education agencies (local, state and federal level) seeking information regarding best practices in involving parents of children with disabilities in systems improvement.
The center activities are specifically designed to:
- Enhance the capacity of parent centers to provide effective services to families of children with special needs and to work effectively with their states to improve special education and early intervention systems; and,
- Facilitate their connections to the larger technical assistance network that supports research-based training, including educating parents about effective practices that improve results for children with disabilities. For more information click here.
|
|
|
