October is National Bullying Prevention Month!
Recognizing Unity Day: Students with disabilities don orange to help promote bullying prevention
Students, ages 18-21 with disabilities, in the transitions program, and their teachers, at Brookside Education Center in Minnesota, wore orange to celebrate Unity Day. Children with disabilities are two to three times more likely to be bullied than their non-disabled peers. Transitions program instructor Lori Nelson said each of her five students have been bullied. Nelson said that for her students, Unity Day is as much about bullying prevention as it is about respect. (Albert Lea Tribune, 2017).

Check out MPACT's Bully Prevention Resources: Including Bullying/ Violence Prevention, Talking with Your Child About Bullying, What if Your Child is the Bully? Missouri State Laws that Cover Bullying and Notifying School Administrators of Bullying and Harassment! Click the link below:
Attend the Bullying Prevention- What Parents Can Do Webinar with MPACT. This training contains an overview of the dynamics of bullying, including what bullying is, what the types of bullying are, who is bullied, and why children are bullied. Other topics include steps to intervene in bullying behavior, how to encourage students who witness bullying to take action, the role of the school, and laws and policies. Click the below blue link to register:

October 22nd- 1:00pm-2:00pm
Unity Day is Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Wear and share orange to show that we are together against bullying, and united for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

Download the Unity Day Guide from Pacer.org:
All MPACT trainings are free of charge! If you would like to schedule a bullying prevention webinar or any MPACT training for that matter in your area or for your organization please click on the link below. Fill out the request training form at the bottom of the web page:

Upcoming MPACT Webinars
During the month of October, MPACT is presenting several webinars that focus on Core IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) principles.

Click on the blue links below to register:
Oct. 19th @ 9:00am-10:00am

Oct. 20th @ 9:00am-10:00am
 
October 21st @ 9:00am-10:00am
 
October 22nd- 1:00pm-2:00pm

October 23rd @ 9:00am-10:00am
DESE UPDATES/ RESOURCES:
The COVID-19 pandemic has made parents and guardians more responsible than ever for the educational success of their children. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has answered some key questions about getting IEPs ready to meet students’ needs as schools respond to the way educational services are provided. Using questions from parents and school districts, new and updated information is included in these two document links below,
released on September 16, 2020.
Form G: Distance Learning Plan Implications for Parents and Students (Update 9/16/2020)- https://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/se-compliance-parent-group-form-G-Q-A-revised.pdf

A Parent’s Guide to Including Form G: Distance Learning Plan in your Child’s IEP (9/16/2020) https://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/se-compliance-a-parent-guide-to-form-G.pdf
MPACT Mentor Volunteer Program
What is an MPACT Mentor Volunteer?

Mentors are trained volunteers who, upon request, provide support to families of children with disabilities throughout the special education process. A mentor does not represent or speak for a parent or family member, but a mentor does help empower an individual to become a strong educational advocate for his or her child. MPACT mentors are screened and receive training and supervision from MPACT staff.
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MPACT is funded in part or whole by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs Grant No. H328M090020-10. The contents of the website, however, and any documents cited herein do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S Department of Education.
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