RTSC Consider This... July 2020

Consider This...

Things to Consider in July 2020 from RTSC

In this Month:

July Articles
Useful Tips and Resources
Upcoming Federation Events

Click titles for full articles

News and information about education, research, and support for SESPs; adoptive, foster, and kinship caregivers; and child welfare and education professionals helping children with trauma and other special needs get the most from their education.

Meet RTSC's Project Associate, Ivone Rego

Ivone Rego is a mother of two rambunctious kiddos, a dog-lover; baby-whisperer, yoga enthusiast, avid filmmaker and amateur chef. She produced and directed several plays, in English and Portuguese; as well as children’s plays. While living in NY, Ivone worked with Punched In The Head Productions to produce thirteen documentaries for MTV’s True Life. Films like I Have Schizophrenia, I'm Homeschooled, I Can't Sleep, I Have PTSD, I Have a Spouse In Iraq, Coming to America and I Have Anger Management resonated with young people across the world.The Emmy Award Winning film, I'm Am Placing My Baby For Adoption was the catalyst for the popular reality series, Sixteen and Pregnant. After decades of working in the film industry, Ivone moved to back to her hometown in Southeast Massachusetts. ( Read Full article )

30 Years Ago, Romania Deprived Thousands of Babies of Human Contact

As many of you may remember from varies trauma trainings, I often speak about Dr. Charles Nelson, from Harvard, and his studies of the Romanian orphanages.

The Atlantic Magazine tells the story of one such child, Izidor, his journey to America, transition to living in a family, and how that affects him as an adult.

Although the work of Dr. Nelson and his colleagues was groundbreaking for the

field of neuroscience, it was also about lives of these children. This article gives

you a rare glimpse into the long term effects of trauma and attachment.

Special Education Accommodations for Educators

‘Fair does not mean that every student gets the same treatment, but that every student gets what he or she needs.” ~ Richard Lavoie

Within each IEP is Present Level of Educational Performance (PLEP) A & B. It is on these pages that the team decides on and documents the appropriate accommodations that are needed in order for the student to make effective progress. PLEP A is for those accommodations that address the general curriculum. PLEP B is for ‘other needs’ pertaining to the student’s participation in the overall life of the school; other needs not specifically addressed in the frameworks; age-specific skills and life skills. This article provides some clarity and guides you to various resources.

Two Foster Families Recognized as Foster Parents of the Year

Two families have been honored as Foster Parents of the Year, for their dedication to providing safe, loving homes to children in foster care. Each DCF office statewide recognizes excellent foster parents annually for their contributions and achievements in caring for children until they can be reunited with their families or find permanent homes. Adam and Wendy Provost of Hampden County and Steve and Sue Trudeau of Tewksbury have been honored this year.

As foster parent Sue Trudeau says, “You plant a seed and hope it blooms sometime; you hope your values and love, caring and nurturing supports the child and you hope you’ve made a difference and that it takes root someday,”

MA: House passes foster care 'bill of rights' measure backed by Tricia Farley-Bouvier

After years of efforts to increase support for foster families, the Massachusetts House passed a bill that includes a "foster parent bill of rights”. The intention of the bill is to ensure foster parents have access to information and training, as well as greater recognition and respect. The bill now must be passed by the Massachusetts Senate.

Beyond the Buzzwords: What Does Trauma-Informed Care Truly Mean?

We often hear the phrase “Trauma Informed Care” lately, especially around the current state of affairs in this country. But what does that really mean? Ask several clinicians and you’ll get several different answers. This article takes a look at some aspects that it should encompass. Although Trauma Informed Care looks different depending on the type and approach of therapy, there are the “4 R’s of trauma-informed care” Realize, Recognize, Respond, and Resist re-traumatization. Mainly it is about changing the mindset for “What’s wrong with this person” (what can we fix), to “what has happened to this person.” (how can we help).

Click on the image above to watch the Rethinking Psychiatry discussion group discuss: Beyond the Buzzwords: Trauma-informed Care on Youtube.

Useful Tips and Resources

A Look at Implicit Bias and Microaggressions:

Edutopia takes a look at the different form of implicit bias and microaggressions, and how they manifest in our schools and classrooms, through peers and teachers alike.

2020 Guidance on Fall Reopening Special Education Services

If you haven’t had a chance to review the Special Education Guidance for the upcoming year, take a look.

· Initial Fall/school Reopening Guidance (6/25/20)

· Fall Reopening Transportation Guidance (6/22/20)

· Fall Reopening Facilities and Operations Guidance

(6/22/20)

8 Tips for Teaching Mindfulness to Teens:

Mindfulness is a skill that is used all of the time lately, but it is actually a very old practice used by people all over the world for centuries. It is the psychological process of purposely bringing one's attention to experiences occurring in the present moment without judgment, which one develops through the practice of meditation and through other trainings such as yoga. But why is it a skill for teens to develop? Especially teens with trauma backgrounds?

When someone becomes triggered they can often respond by flashbacks to the original traumatic experience. This skill, and I do mean skill, can bring on back to the present moment, where they are able to be more objective about the situation.

Upcoming Federation Events

Figuring it Out: Schools Reopening

Tuesday - August 18th at 12:00 PM

FCSN invites you to attend this special webinar panel discussion on school reopening featuring representatives from the legal, medical and educational community.

Presenters TBD