weConnect
SDPC Logo Horizontal
2020 South Dakota Special Education Professional of the Year Award  
Parent/Guardians: Nominate a Special Education Professional Today! 
 
SD Special Education Programs would like to honor an individual who works in the Special Education field and has touched the life of a student. A parent/guardian can nominate any staff member working with students in special education including but not limited to: teachers, paraprofessionals, speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, special education directors, etc.
South Dakota's 2020 Legislative Session Open   
  Track bills of interest, listen to committee meetings, recieve email alerts and more at Legislative Research Council   
 
In This Issue
SD Parent Connection offices will be closed on  
Monday, January 20th.
Day for Parents of Children Who Are Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing- Saturday, February 1
 
9 AM - 1 PM:  The 4 E's of Raising a Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child
Families will learn about different concepts (Expose, Educate, Embrace, and Elevate) and how they tie into families and their deaf & hard of hearing child's lives. During the workshop, topics around language and how it is a factor for self identity and development will be expanded on
by including evidence-based Clerc Center resources. Presenter: Stacy Abrams 
Location: USD Center for Disabilities, 1400 W. 22nd Street, Sioux Falls
(Childcare offered during this time) 
 
12 PM - 1 PM: Lunch on Own
 
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM:  Let's Play
Time to hang out and visit with one another at Rainbow Play Systems
Location: Rainbow Midwest, 2801 S. Carolyn Ave, Sioux Falls
  Flyer  
Project Search Applications Now Being Accepted
The Project SEARCH application for the South Dakota sites is due February 21, 2020. Project SEARCH affords students the opportunity to put employability skills into practice. For five days a week, students report to the host business and learn employability skills in the classroom and job skills while participating in targeted internships.  They receive support with accommodations, adaptations, and on-the-job coaching. Students who have completed all academic requirements for graduation from high school may apply for enrollment in Project SEARCH. Participants must be 18 to 21 years old. Contact the program coordinator directly for an application.
 
Aberdeen - Information 
Linda White: Contact: 605-622-5680 or  linda.white@k12.sd.us 
 
Brookings - Information 
Larry Ayres:  Contact 605-688-4407, 605-690-7985 or Larry.Ayres@k12.sd.us

Rapid City - Information 
Heather Hoeye:  Contact 605-430-3263 or hhoeye@tie.net
 
Sioux Falls - Information 
Angie Mulder:  Contact 605-322-5071 or angiemulder@teachwell.org
 
iCan Bike Intensive Bike Camp - Sioux Falls
New Directions Down Syndrome Association is hosting a five-day iCan Bike Camp to teach local children and young adults with disabilities how to ride a two wheeled bicycle independently.  This is the first time iCan Bike will be in South Dakota.  The bike camp is scheduled for June 8-12, 2020 at the Special Olympics Unify Center in Sioux Falls.  Limited openings.
Charting the LifeCourse to Plan A Good Life  
Brookings & Aberdeen 
Are you a family member or professional who supports someone who has disabilities, chronic healthcare needs or are aging AND you want a good life for them? Join us for a free interactive workshop in your area!   
 
Participants will learn:
- A fresh way to re-think conversations about planning and supports using the Charting the LifeCourse Framework.
- Simple tools that help people problem-solve and plan at any age and stage of life.
- Ways to think 'outside the box' and about 'what's possible'.
- This interactive session will include practice using the tools in your life and work.
 
Brookings:  Wednesday, January 20th
Aberdeen:  Sunday, January 26th or Monday, January 27th 
  Lunch & Learn Session- Tuesday, Feb 11 from 12pm CT/11am MT     
 
Changes & Updates to Family Support 360 and Strengthening Families Programs
Join this session to learn about changes and updates to the Family Support 360 Program and Strengthening Families Program (formerly known as Statewide Family Support) from Director Darryl Millner and Waiver Administration Jaze Sollars, SD Dept of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities.

Ways to Join
In-person
Sioux Falls SDPC Office (presenter in-person) 3701 West 49th Street, Suite 102
Rapid City SDPC Office (hosted site) 2310 North Maple Ave

Live Online- Join live online via computer or your cell phone.

Recorded Online- View current and past recorded sessions online anytime by visiting www.sdparent.org under Online Training.

Registration encouraged, but not required
Training Series for Those Caring For or Working with Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing- Tuesday, February 18 (Session 3)
 
Services and Supports:  How To Navigate Systems 
Learn about the resources that are in place to support families. 
Presenters: Multiple providers.
 
6:30-8:30pm CT / 5:30-7:30pm MT   
Attend live online (link sent after registration) or attend in-person
Rapid City- SDPC Office, 2310 N Maple Ave
Sioux Falls- SDPC Office, 3701 W 49th St, Ste 102
Aberdeen- K.O. Lee Public Library, Community Room 110, 215 4th Ave SE.
 
Register at www.surveymonkey.com/r/H5285DB
Contact Teresa Nold with questions/comments:  tnold@sdparent.org or 800-640-4553.
 
Presented by SD Parent Connection and SD EHDI Collaborative.  
Autism Family Support Group- Sioux Falls
 
Meetings held February 11, March 10, April 14, and May 12 from 6:30-8pm at  USD Health Sciences Center, 1400 W. 22nd Street, Room 126.   
A welcoming environment for parents/caregivers of children & adults with ASD to meet, share experiences, ask questions, and receive support. While you attend, your child/teen/adult can participate in a fun activity. Siblings welcome!  For child/youth attendance, check in from 6-6:30 PM.
 
Pre-registation required!  
 
Contact Letty for more information: (605) 357-1418 or letty.thelen@usd.edu   
Free Webinar:  What's New and Trending in Special Education Law and Why It Matters- Tuesday, February 11 

12:30- 1:45pm MT/ 1:30am-2:45pm CT
Tracking court decisions on various special education issues is not easy. For example, what's been the impact on other courts, if any, of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Endrew F.? Are courts starting to allow parents, like school districts, to unilaterally change a student's stay put to a "comparable" placement and, if so, what are the potential implications? When are electronic records "maintained" so as to be deemed "educational records" under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and has technology gotten ahead of FERPA? Deusdedi Merced will discuss how courts have addressed these and other issues with an eye towards what trends, if any, appear to be developing and their implications for the field.

Planning a Good Life Using The Charting The LifeCourse Framework Free Webinar Series

All sessions 12 PM- 1 PM CT/ 11 AM-12 PM MT

Session #1 Wednesday, January 22
The All and Universal Strategies - How we can think differently and develop strategies which benefit and include ALL people?

Session #2 Wednesday, March 18
Safety & Security - Staying safe and secure - emergencies, well-being, guardianship options, legal rights and issues.

Session #3 Wednesday, May 27:  Daily Life & Employment
Session #4 Wednesday, July 22: Citizenship & Advocacy
Session #5 Wednesday, Sept. 23: Community Living -
Session #6 Wednesday, Nov. 18: Social & Spirituality
Session #7 Wednesday, January 13, 2021: Healthy Living

For Information:  kimberly.percival@state.sd.us or 605-773-3438
Sibshop- Saturday, March 21
10 AM - 1 PM
LifeScape- 2501 West 26th Stree t, Sioux Falls      
   
   
For questions and/ or to register your child/ren
Register online     /  605-361-3171 /  sdpc@sdparent.org  
More Activities Posted On Our Events Calendar


Click Here For Transition Services Liaison Project Statewide Training Opportunities
Statewide
Jan 22
12pm-1pm CT /11am-12pm MT by Dr. Mark Bertin, developmental pediatrician. Register and receive the replay link to watch at your convenience. Register
Webinar
Jan 23
Family Engagement and Leadership: Strengthening Systems, Services and Communities  
Family engagement requires a top-down, bottom-up approach where their input permeates the culture of systems, organizations, and programs. Positive outcomes are more likely to be achieved when family engagement is systemic, integrated and comprehensive. Being strategic in how families interact can improve the effectiveness of service delivery in the mental health system.  
Webinar
Jan 24
Pierre
Jan 25
Trauma Informed Practices
Training ideal for people who work directly with children and youth everyday; teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, administrators, secretaries, and childcare providers. Training outcomes include: A better understanding of trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), strategies to build positive relationships with students to respond to behaviors associated with dysregulation, and confidence to be a TIP leader at school, at work, or in the community.    
Pierre
Jan 25
9am-4pm with an hour break for lunch on your own. This training for in-home childcare providers provides strategies to give children the skills and knowledge they need to be ready to read. Participants will leave with posters, checklists, visuals, and other resources to support valuable brain building work with children aged birth to five. Register at: sdsfec.org/earlyliteracy
Chamberlain
Jan 28
Screen Use and Abuse: Create a Healthy Video Game Diet for Your Child with ADHD
12pm CT/11am MT.  Randy Kulman, Ph.D. and James Daley. Sign up and you will receive the free webinar replay link Register
Webinar
Jan 30-Feb 1
   OSEC Conference, h eld during Dakota Oyate Challenge. 10a-4pm Jan 30. 9am-4pm Jan 31. Topics include ACTS School Board training, parent training, special education, OLPA classroom mgmt, gifted/talented. Registration $150. Contact Chris at 605-441-2738 or   cgbordeaux@hotmail.com  for further information. Presentation proposals invited.
Huron
Feb 1
9am-4pm with an hour break for lunch on your own.  Register at: sdsfec.org/earlyliteracy
Rapid City
Feb 8

Trauma Informed Practices
Training ideal for people who work directly with children and youth everyday; teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors, administrators, secretaries, and  
childcare providers.
Aberdeen
Feb 26
Annual Disability Awareness Day at the Capitol
Pierre
March 17 & 18
South Dakota Special Education Conference
"It's A Game Changer"
Sioux Falls
April 23-25
SD Early Childhood Education Conference
"Developing Brains Matter"
Sioux Falls
May 27-28
2020 SD Education Conference
"Strengthening Foundations & Connections"
https://doe.sd.gov/title/2020-conference/
Oacoma
June 11-12
Lighting The Way Autism Conference
Sioux Falls

Support SD Parent Connection
 
Your donation allows us to continue helping families with children with special needs.   DONATE ONLINE - look for the gold donate buttons!  

The Round Up App allows you to round up and donate change from your credit or debit card purchases to support us - automatically and without hassle!  Donate from all transactions or cap the amount per month.
Download the Round Up App and choose us as the organization you support.

If you order from Amazon.com, you may choose to support SDPC.  Every time you purchase through smile.amazon.com, Amazon sends donation money to the non-profit organization of your choice.  More Information Here
Contact Us
Call us at 1-800-640-4553 / 605-361-3171 or 
 
If you would like resources, have questions, 
or would like to be added to our distribution list, please let us know. 
This e-publication was developed under grants from the U.S. Department of Education Project Grant H328M140021 and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Grant H84MC07994, Family to Family Health Information Center, $96,750; and approximately 5% financed with non-governmental resources. The contents should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by US Department of Education, HRSA, HHS or the Federal Government.