Volume 14 Num 3 Jan. 2020

Family & Educator Partnership Newsletter from Great Prairie Area Education Agency

Learn more and access resources at https://www.gpaea.org/services/iowa-family-and-educator-partnership-fep/

Behavior Intervention Plan Functional Behavior Assessment Is your child having problem behavior at school? Behavior is often a form of communication. There is usually a purpose to behavior, though your child may not be able to describe it. The problem behavior may be the child’s way of getting their needs or wants met. Do you and the school understand why your child is showing problem behavior? There are different ways to help you and your child’s teachers understand the reason behind the behavior, which is often referred to as the function of the behavior. It is important to determine why behavior may be occurring as it might be impacting your child’s ability to learn. More information on these terms and a printable booklet can be accessed in the brochures linked below.

Click on the booklet to learn more about an IEP that includes services for behavior.

Click on the booklet to learn more about a functional behavior assessment.

Are you interested in learning more about Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services? As an educator, would you like to know how to refer families and what services they can provide? Click here to watch a short video featuring Jaime Claywell-Herrera, IVRS Counselor, describing Voc Rehab's services available to all LEAs and identified students in Iowa.

Become a Trained Parent Mentor Sign up to become a parent mentor at our free training in Des Moines on January 25! The goal of the Parents as Partners in Mentoring workshop is to develop a network of dedicated parent volunteers that provide support and expertise for families by giving them the skills and supports they need to help their child with a disability reach their full potential. Des Moines Dates : Saturday, January 25 Time : 9:30 am-4:30 pm Location : DMACC Urban Campus Bldg 1, Room 101, 1100 7th St, Des Moines, IA 50314 RSVP at  www.askresource.org/events/parents-as-partners-in-mentoring-des-moines . This training is free, but registration is required. Lunch and training materials will be provided, and participation stipends are available!

2020 Iowa Peer Support & Family Peer Support Trainings Prospective Peer and Family Peer Support Specialists can take advantage of these upcoming trainings to increase marketability, improve skills, and have a pulse on the mental health landscape in Iowa. Read more www.askresource.org

For an Overview of Changes to Graduation Requirements for Students in Special Education See the Documents or Video Below

For more information on the changes to graduation requirements for students with IEP's please see the video above available at: https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgxwDrRLmdhJkbFXfNdlxrGPhcjnM?projector=1

 The Iowa Family & Educator Partnership is committed to helping families and educators better understand the special education process. To do this, we offer printed and electronic materials on a variety of special education topics. Here you will find a list of some of those materials with suggested times for using them. The FEP Brochure : can be shared with initial meeting notices can be shared wtih re-evaluation meeting notices anytime a family or educator needs additional support or information Child Find Process Booklet : can be shared with suspicion of disability meeting notice anytime a family or educator needs additional support understanding the child find process Planning for Your Child's IEP Meeting can be shared with re-evaluation meeting notices anytime a family or educator needs additional support to prepare for an IEP meeting  Procedural Safeguards Part B Bookmark : Distributed with Procedural Safeguards When there are changes in team members  Early ACCESS Procedural Safeguards Bookmark : Distributed with Procedural Safeguards When there are changes in team members All documents are available on the FEP page of the GPAEA website, under related documents or at https://www.gpaea.org/services/iowa-family-and-educator-partnership-fep/

Learn more about Family & Educator Partnership and access resources at https://www.gpaea.org/services/iowa-family-and-educator-partnership-fep/

Great Prairie AEA | 800-622-0027 | www.gpaea.org

STAY CONNECTED WITH GPAEA ‌ ‌

Great Prairie Area Education Agency works as an educational partner with public and accredited, nonpublic schools to help students, school staff, parents and communities. Great Prairie AEA provides professional development and leadership to promote school improvement, a variety of instructional services, special education support services, and technology and media services. It is the policy of the Great Prairie Education Agency not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Greg Manske, 3601 West Avenue, Burlington, IA 52601, (319) 753-6561 x1217, greg.manske@gpaea.org (employment practices) or Deb Cook, 2814 N. Court Street, Ottumwa, IA 52501, (641) 682-8591 x5324, deb.cook@gpaea.org (educational programs).