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Back to School Bootcamp Webinar Series

Register Online at: https://qrco.de/BTSBootcamp

Summer's Not Over Yet

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Go Virtual! It's incredible how many museums and topics you can explore online. What's your child's passion? (What's yours?) See what's available online. To get you started, how about...





Summer of Audio 2022

For children and adults with reading disabilities and other reading barriers, Bookshare offers a treasure trove of ebooks to dive into, with more than 1 million titles available. Qualifying individuals and schools can "read" as many titles as they want for FREE; for other members, Bookshare costs less than $1 per week.


Get Physical!

There are so many ways to get yourself and your family members moving. Here are just 3, for starters:



  • GoNoodle | Dragthe whole family into the joy of being silly, mindful, and always curious. Get out there and enjoy the summer sunshine! Need we say more?


  • 11-minute video of exercise and activities for children with physical disabilities| From Pediatric Therapy Essentials.


A School Bus Load of Back to School Resources

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Many schools are already back in session. Many aren't, but that reality is just around the corner. Strap in, and good luck to all.


Back-to-School: Tips for Parents of Children with Special Needs

LDOnline offers 8 back-to-school tips for parents that emphasize communication, organization, and staying up-to-date on special education news.


The Promise and the Potential of the IEP

The Spring-Summer issue of The Special EDge Newsletter is full of articles on the IEP, such as:

  • Strength-based and Student-focused IEPs;
  • Improving the IEP: The Parent and Family Perspective;
  • Collaboration and the IEP; and
  • What I Learned That Can Help Others, written by a youth speaking for those who cannot.


Tools for Tough Times

Much has been said and written about supporting the mental health of students returning to school in such turbulent times. Now youth speak for themselves in 30 two-minute teen-led videos. They show us all what steps they’re taking to cope with the isolation, anxiety, and uncertainty they’re feeling. You don't need to be a teen to benefit from their described tools.  


Adapted PE for Your Child? Dear Parents

Adaptability.com has some information to offer parents on Adapted Physical Education and their rights, given that adapted PE is a federally mandated special education service.

Missouri State Plan for Special Education



The 2022 Missouri State Plan for Special Education was updated and went into effect on June 30, 2022.


For a description of the specific state plan changes click HERE



In addition, click HERE for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education forms.

Special Education Forms



The following Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) model forms have been updated for the 2022-23 school year.


Forms Change Chart - 2022

Discipline Documentation Form - Revised 08/05/2022

Evaluation Report - Revised 8/05/2022

Individualized Education Program (IEP )-  revised 08/05/2022

Annual Measurable Goal Form - Revised 08/05/2022

Notification of Meeting - Revised 08/05/2022

Review of Existing Data - Revised 08/05/2022

Transfer: Out-of-state Documentation Form - Revised 08/05/2022 



Click HERE for MO Sample Special Education Forms. 

MO DESE Publication: Lost Instructional Time



DESE is pleased to announce the publication of a new analysis of the impact of lost instructional time on Missouri students. The data compares 2020-21 to 2018-19 student assessment results. The analysis makes clear that younger students’ learning was more impacted by the pandemic, as was the learning of Black and Hispanic students. Students with disabilities and students from economic disadvantage also incurred greater impacts.

 

View the complete analysis HERE

Parents' Guide to Youth Mental Health

The purpose of this document is to provide information for families whose youth are experiencing behavioral and/or mental health concerns. We encourage you to review this guide and make notes about your questions or concerns. Then bring this guide with you when you speak to your child’s school support staff, primary care provider, or therapist. This guide is for you, the parent. The last page is for your child. Talk to them about the resources available on the last page and ensure they know where they can go for help and support. 


Parents' Guide to Youth Mental Health - A NAMI Missouri Publication

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 access to trained counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. There is a tremendous need, given:


  • In 2020, the U.S. had one death by suicide every 11 minutes.
  • For people ages 10–34, suicide is a leading cause of death.
  • From April 2020 through April 2021, over 100,000 people died from drug overdoses.

 

Behind each of these data points, there are people, families, and communities who have been impacted. Yet, in the face of these urgent realities, there is hope. The 988 Lifeline helps thousands of struggling people overcome suicidal crises or mental-health-related distress every day.


People can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.


No matter where you live in the United States, by using 988, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help.


Review the 988 Partner Toolkit here, which includes: 

  • Key messages
  • FAQs
  • Social Media Resources


Check out resources here for specific audiences on the Lifeline website

Physical Education for Students -OSEP Letter

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The US Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has issued policy guidance to clarify requirements related to the provision of physical education, including adapted physical education and the least restrictive environment, to children with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).


The informal guidance addresses several topics, such as: 


  1. Offering specially designed instruction to children with disabilities in content areas such as adapted aquatics or biking skills if the same curriculum content is not offered to children without disabilities at the same grade level
  2. Should instructional content for a child with a disability be based on what has been agreed to in the child’s individualized education program (IEP)?
  3. Does all physical education instruction for children with disabilities need to occur in the general education setting with their nondisabled peers?  


Read the policy letter HERE

New Guidance Helps Schools Support Students with Disabilities and Avoid Discriminatory Use of Discipline


The Department of Education has issued a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) and two accompanying guidance documents to support State educational agencies' (SEAs') and local educational agencies (LEAs') efforts to fulfill their obligations to meet the needs of children with disabilities appropriately:


July 19, 2022, Dear ColleagueLetter, Implementation of IDEA and Discipline Provisions

https://sites.ed.gov/idea/files/dcl-implementation-of-idea-discipline-provisions.pdf 


Supporting Documents

1. Questions and Answers: Addressing the Needs of Children with Disabilities and IDEA's Discipline Provisions; and

https://sites.ed.gov/idea/files/qa-addressing-the-needs-of-children-with-disabilities-and-idea-discipline-provisions.pdf


2. Positive, Proactive Approaches to Supporting the Needs of Children with Disabilities: A Guide for Stakeholders. 

https://sites.ed.gov/idea/files/guide-positive-proactive-approaches-to-supporting-children-with-disabilities.pdf


Dear Colleague, letter 8-01-2016, Inclusion of Behavior Supports in IEPs

https://sites.ed.gov/idea/files/dcl-on-pbis-in-ieps-08-01-2016.pdf

Resources for Grand Families

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If you are just starting to care for a grandchild, this resource covers the basic things you need to know.


Millions of grandparents and other relatives are raising children. The Guide for GrandFamilies can help you find your way with tips, tools and resources. 


Topics include: 


  • What documents do I need? 
  • Who do I need to talk to? 
  • What phone numbers do I need? 
  • How can I keep track of everything?


The Guide also addresses legal, financial, health, education and child care.


Explore the Guide for Grandfamilies HERE


Review State-Specific fact sheets HERE

Submit your artwork by September 15, 2022

The Governor’s Council on Disability is accepting entries for the annual GCD Disability Employment Awareness Month Poster Contest now through September 15. Don’t delay – start submitting your posters now. The Governor’s Council on Disability’s (GCD) annual poster contest raises awareness about the importance of employment for people with disabilities. National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is observed each year in October to celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities and educate about the value of a workforce inclusive of their skills and talents. The posters are intended to spark a conversation about employment of people with disabilities and raise awareness about the importance of inclusion in the workplace. The winning entry will be featured on this year’s Disability Employment Awareness Month poster, GCD’s website and social media.


For more information, visit https://disability.mo.gov/gcd/PosterContest/

On Demand First Steps Webinars

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Communicating Your Child's Needs First Steps Training: This workshop is designed to support families of young children who are new to working with caregivers and providers on communicating effectively regarding your child and your child’s needs.

Click HERE to access these on-demand trainings.

Upcoming MPACT Webinars in August

Click on the blue links below to register

Transitions ECSE to Elementary School

Aug 22 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm CDT


Dispute Resolution Process

Aug 22 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm CDT

The Art of Effective Advocacy

Aug 29 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm CDT

View all upcoming MPACT trainings HERE.

In-Person Trainings

Understanding the Evaluation Process

Independence, MO

Aug 20 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am CDT


Understanding the IEP Process

Independence, MO

Aug 20 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT

All training locations in Independence, MO will be at the Mid-Continent Public Library South Independence Branch, 13700 E. 35th St, Independence, MO 64055

Transitions ECSE to Elementary School

Kansas City, MO

Aug 27 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT



Transitions Elementary to Middle School

Kansas City, MO

Aug 27 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm CDT


All training locations in Kansas City, MO will be at the Mid-Continent Public Library - Red Bridge Branch, 453 East Red Bridge Road, Kansas City, MO 64131

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

DESE Education Surrogate Program ESPP

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires an educational surrogate to be assigned when a student with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) does not have a parent or other adult (not employed by a public agency serving the child) to be an educational decision-maker and fill the role of parent for special education processes. Watch this video to learn about the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Educational Surrogate Program. 


Challenging the School to Prison Pipeline 

The Missouri Juvenile Justice Association (MJJA) Disrupting the School to Prison Pipeline-Handle With Care Initiative is a process where law enforcement officers responding to calls where a child has been exposed to trauma or has been the direct victim of trauma will notify the child’s school to let them know they need to “handle the student with care”. The school does not receive any other details other than that the student might be agitated, distracted or withdrawn and they can respond DIFFERENTLY, using trauma-responsive techniques. The hope is that using trauma-sensitive interventions and having information provided IMMEDIATELY after an event will reduce reliance on the use of disciplinary measures that involve law enforcement or a referral to the juvenile officer. Find out how to get Handle With Care in your School district by contacting MJJA's School Resource Coordinator Tammy Walden at 573.616.1058 or visit MJJA's website 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.

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