MPACT Newsletter: April 2016 Vol 2

Empowering families to advocate for themselves so that children with special educational needs can reach their full potential in education and life - through support, training, and education.

MPACT changing to better serve families

You may have noticed several changes happening over the past year. Missouri Parents Act moved the location of the state office, realigned staff and staff responsibilities, redesigned our website, increased our presence on social media, and implemented a more efficient call system, to name a few of the more significant changes.

Missouri Parents Act has done all of this to better support the families that we serve. It is our mission to empower families to advocate for themselves so that children with special educational needs can reach their full potential in education and life - through support, training, and education. We hope that you are noticing a positive difference in the assistance, information, and resources that you have been receiving. As always, you can share your thoughts through Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, and our website.

Please update your resources, bookmarks, etc. with MPACT's updated contact information so that you can always find us when you need us:

Missouri Parents Act (MPACT)
7421 Mexico Rd, Suite 200
St. Peters, MO 63376
(800)743-7634 (English and Español)
info@ptimpact.org
www.missouriparentsact.org

Children's Mental Health Week: May 1 - 7

children_s mental health matters_ up to 1-5 children experience a mental health disorder in a given year

In 1991, a group of parents in Missouri decided that one of the most important projects they could undertake was to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding children's mental health. A coalition of parents, professionals and other stakeholders was formed and created Children's Mental Health and Behavior Disorder Week. This was changed to Children's Mental Health Week in 1995.

Children's Mental Health Week is a critical time to bring awareness to the mental health needs of children and youth in our state. Approximately 13-20 percent of children living in the United States experience a mental disorder in a given year. Poor outcomes for these children can be prevented with early intervention and access to appropriate services.

Mental health issues can affect children's access to a free and appropriate education, and these children may benefit from a 504 plan or an Individual Education Plan. Did you know that the rates of suspension and expulsion are three times higher for children with mental health needs than their peers and that children with conduct disorders often have learning disabilities?

The following resources may help you advocate for your child if you think that a mental health issue is negatively impacting his or her education:

Teacher Appreciation Week: May 2 - 6

Since 1984, National PTA has designated the first week in May as a special time to honor the men and women who lend their passion and skills to educating our children.

Teachers are real life superheroes. They educate, innovate, encourage, and support. Every day they touch the lives of millions of children and their work and impact extend far beyond the boundaries of the classroom. Take the time to celebrate these real life superheroes during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 2-6, 2016.

Missouri Parents Act will be announcing a Teacher Appreciation Contest on Facebook and Twitter on Monday, May 2nd. Stay tuned!

Upcoming Free MPACT Parent Trainings

Special Education Law & Disagreement Resolution Processes May 2 @ 10:00 am - 1:30 pm Rolla Public Library 900 North Pine Street Rolla, MO 65401	Disagreement Resolution Processes May 2 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am St. Louis Office for Developmental Disability Resources 2334 Olive Street St. Louis, MO 63103
How to Write Measurable Annual Goals May 2 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Special School District 12110 Clayton Road St. Louis, MO 63131	Understanding the IEP Process for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders May 5 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm First United Methodist Church 500 North Main Street Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
IDEA Part C to Part B May 9 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm Reynolds County Library-Ellington Branch 130 South Main Street Ellington, MO 63638	Understanding the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) May 18 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm Priority Care Pediatrics, LLC 9405 North Oak Trafficway Kansas City, MO 64155

* Up-to-date training information is available on our website .

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.

Missouri Parents Act | 800-743-7634 |

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