September Webinar Series

Special Education Resources

Parent Participation

We believe that a child's best advocate is their parent! This is why it is so important for parents to participate in their child's IEP meeting. Even IDEA includes the wording that schools "...shall take steps to ensure that one or both of the parents of a child with a disability are present at each IEP meeting..." To learn more about parent participation at IEP meetings, click HERE.

Special Education Laws and Regulations

To access the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Federal Regulations, Missouri State Plan for Special Education, Procedural Safeguards, Parent's Bill of Rights, and more, click HERE.

MPACT videos and fact sheets are available to help you learn more about the IEP components and evaluation process. Click HERE for access to the fact sheets or HERE for the IEP Components video.

DESE Individualized Education Program (IEP) Forms

New year means time to plan and prepare for your child's IEP.

Click HERE to be directed to sample IEP forms.

In and Out of State Transfers Resources

Switching schools can be challenging enough, but a school district transfer can be even trickier — especially if your child has an IEP.

Transferring school districts: 8 steps to take if your child has an IEP

What happens to the IEP when switching schools?

What does IDEA say about student transfers?

Transfer from our MO Dept of Elementary and Secondary Education

Wrightslaw Changing Schools and the IEP

Back to School Mental Health Resources for Students, Caregivers, and Educators

After summer break, it’s common to feel back-to-school jitters.The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI ) has created resources for students, educators, parents and caregivers, and trusted adults to help with the return to classrooms. With these resources, adults can help children, teens, and young adults ease into school routines, develop healthy habits that foster mental well-being, and openly discuss mental health.

How to Handle School Refusal

(In Spanish: Rechazo a la escuela: Cómo ayudar a su hijo a superarlo)

When students flat-out refuse to go to school, it can be stressful for both parents and teachers. Different kids resist or refuse school in different ways. Here are tips for parents, caregivers, and educators to manage school refusal, based on what behavior they're seeing (e.g., crying or tantrums, won't get dressed, won't get on the bus or in the car).

A Deeper Look at Anxiety in Kids

This newsletter from the Child Mind Institute consists of separate articles on the subject of anxiety: What are the different kinds of anxiety? How anxiety leads to problem behavior. What is separation anxiety? Selective mutism. Social anxiety. Agoraphobia in children.

National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Whether you’re in distress or just want to talk about something on your mind, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org anytime you need help. If you are worried about someone else, reach out to 988 and a local, trained crisis specialist at one of Missouri’s 988 centers will help you navigate the situation.

National Sickle Cell Awareness Month

September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, designated by Congress to help focus attention on the need for research and treatment of sickle cell disease. Read the President’s Proclamation HERE.

Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S. and affects approximately 100,000 Americans. This year, Get to Know Sickle Cell.

Sickle Cell Matters 2024! Check out the Awareness Month Flyer & Facts Sheet.

Section 504 Protections for Students with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a Federal civil rights law that protects students from disability-based discrimination in schools (including preschools, K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions) that receive Federal financial assistance.

Under Section 504, a student with sickle cell disease (SCD) can be a student with a disability for purposes of Section 504 if the student’s SCD substantially limits one or more of the student’s major life (34 C.F.R § 104.33)(j)(1)(i)

Happy Deaf Awareness Month

September is Deaf Awareness Month, and it’s a time to celebrate the rich culture and achievements of the deaf community.

To help families learn more, The Nation Deaf Center created a special YouTube playlist featuring inspiring deaf role models who are making a difference in the world. It’s a great opportunity for parents and kids alike to discover and appreciate the unique experiences and talents within the deaf community.

To help parents and students navigate the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) process, the National Deaf Center offers a comprehensive VR Guide. This resource breaks down the services available to enhance students’ educational and career opportunities. Each state’s VR system is nuanced, but this guide can give students a strong start. Encourage your student to dive into the guide and take the first step towards a bright future!

PBS KIDS series has American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for the deaf and hard of hearing in ‘Arthur’, 'Alma's Way', and ‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood', and more.

Governor's Council on Disability Poster Contest

Don’t miss the chance to take part in the Governor’s Council on Disability’s poster contest for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)!

The GCD is hosting its yearly Poster Contest for NDEAM to promote awareness about employment inclusion and recognize the valuable contributions of individuals with disabilities in the workforce.

Submit your artwork before September 15 to join the contest. Act now for a chance to win. The competition is open to Missouri residents of all ages.

For more details and entry forms, visit the GCD NDEAM Poster Contest website. If you have any questions, please call 573-751-2600.

Please share with your networks!

Early Childhood Resources

What is the CRIS Link

The CRIS Li is a one-stop shop for anyone to make an early childhood home visiting referral in Missouri through one of five Regional CRIS Networks, depending on the needs and location of each family. Whether you are a home-visiting provider, a medical professional, an educator, or a caregiver seeking services, you can make a referral for a family using the CRIS Link .

Access to a list of historic cases in juvenile justice that can be used in your awareness efforts.
Learn tips for finding up-to-date juvenile justice facts and statistics.
Find additional resources about juvenile justice, by accessing our Model Programs Guide and training opportunities.
Get more information about the upcoming 2 024 OJJDP National Conference on Youth Justice in November.
OJJDP National Conference on Youth Justice FAQs

How to Avoid The Pipeline

Schools and families have the power to divert students from the school-to-prison pipeline. It will take work and action, but it can be done by taking several steps.

Recognize positive behavior.
Work with police departments and court systems to limit arrests at school.
Explain infractions and the prescribed punishments to the student body.
Train teachers on using positive behavior modification for at-risk students.
Use home and family interventions designed to create behavior modifications for both students and families.

Read more HERE .

Military Family Resources

A new school and a new community for military kids, who might move 6-8 times before they graduate. It can be tough and a little scary to make new friends when all you really want is to see the friends you left behind. But staying in touch with the friends and family who love you can make a big difference, boosting your child's mental health and brightening their future. MCEC has a Back-to-School toolkit for fun and easy ways to stay connected.

MCEC Student 2 Student is a peer-to-peer student-led program that brings military and civilian students together to welcome new students, create a positive environment for all, support educational opportunities, build connections through service, and ease transitions. Listen as Emily discusses how her S2S is helping new students start the school year with a great support network. Helping Student Success Podcast.

Transition to Adult Life Resources

Heading Off To College?

As students gear up for the new academic year in August, those with mental health conditions may require extra support to thrive in college. To help, our partners at Transitions ACR compiled a collection of tip sheets and briefs designed specifically for college students facing mental health challenges. These resources provide essential guidance and strategies to help them confidently start the year.

Educational Surrogate

Become an Educational Surrogate

An educational surrogate is an impartial individual who fills the role of parent for a student with a disability whenever decisions are being made about the student’s educational placement and individualized education program (IEP) when there is no biological parent or other adult authorized to make educational decisions on behalf of the student. Learn more and watch a VIDEO about the program.

Upcoming MPACT Webinars

Click on the orange links below to register

September 16th @ 11:30 am-1:00pm

Special Education Law

September 17th @11:30 am-1:00pm

Understanding the Evaluation Process

September 18th @11:30 am-1:00pm

Understanding the IEP Process

September 19th @11:30 am-1:00pm

Dispute Resolution

September 20th @11:30 am-1:00pm

The Art of Effective Advocacy

October 15th @ 6pm-7:30pm

Bully Prevention: What Parents Can Do

October 16th @ 6pm-7:30pm

Tools that Challenge the School to Prison Pipeline

October 17th @ 6pm-7:30pm

Positive Behavior Interventions

October 18th @ 6pm-7:30pm

Section 504 and Students with Disabilities

In-Person MPACT Training

Click on the orange links below to register

September 19 @ 1:00 pm-3:00 pm

Bullying Prevention: What Parents Can Do

675 E MT Vernon BLVD., Mount Vernon MO

View all upcoming MPACT trainings HERE .

All MPACT trainings are free of charge! If you would like to schedule any MPACT training in your area or for your organization

please click on the link HERE.

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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.