October 5, 2023

Bullying Prevention Month

October is National Bullying Prevention Month.  It its estimated that 1 in 5 students experience bullying behavior at school. Children with disabilities are 2 to 3 times more likely to be bullied than their non-disabled peers.  

While many schools conduct anti-bullying campaigns, bullying continues to be a concern for many families.  Check out this new resource created by South Dakota Parent Connection:

What Parents Should Know ... Understanding and Preventing Bullying

This brief provides information about bullying and tips on what to do if you are concerned about bullying behavior. You can also view a video training on our website - check it out here:

"My Child is Being Bullied at School"

Check out these additional resources:

Pacer's National Bullying Prevention Center

Stop Bulling.gov

National Center Against Bullying

Upcoming Transition Workshop

Having a vision for a good life is what every parent wants for their child. These timely and informative sessions will provide the resources parents and young adults with disabilities need moving forward after high school.

Young adults will learn the importance of making connections, building relationships, and setting goals along with tips for working with agencies that can help them find employment.

Parents will learn how their role in their child's life is changing, how to speak up, make positive plans for the future, and support their child. To learn more visit our website.

These sessions are available to families in the Sioux Falls School District and surrounding area.

Sessions every Monday beginning November 6th through December 4th

Parents and their young adult are required to attend each session.

5:45 - 8:00 pm

Axtell Park School Library

Registration is required and space is limited so don't wait!

Your Voice Matters

Alvarez & Marsal (A&M), the company conducting the SD Family Support 360 & Shared Living study will be hosting additional listening sessions for families, self-advocates, and advocates to share their thoughts, experiences, and ideas for the FS360 and Shared Living programs. Your input will be used to help identify program strengths and areas for improvement. We will update information about each session in the calendar on our website as it becomes available.

Save the Date:

October 16th - Aberdeen

6:00-8:00 CT

K.O. Lee Aberdeen Public Library, Room 112A

October 17th - Sioux Falls

6:00-8:00 CT

Wegner Library: 1400 W 22St, Suite 100

October 18th - Pierre

6:00-8:00 CT

Rawlins Library: 1000 E Church St

October 18th - Virtual Statewide

11:30-1:00 CT

Virtual Link

October 19th - Spearfish/Virtual Hybrid

Northern Hills Training Center (615 Harvard Street)

11:30-1:00 MT

Virtual Link

October 19th - Rapid City

6:30-8:30 MT

Black Hills Special Services Coop TIE (technology in Education) building

1925 North Plaza Blvd, Quartz Room

Annual Board Meeting

South Dakota Parent Connection will hold its annual board meeting on October 18, 2023, at the office located at 3701 W 49th St, Ste 102. The meeting time is 5:00 PM-7:30 PM and open to the public. Dinner is provided.

Please RSVP by October 12th to frontdesk@sdparent.org if you plan to attend.

SAVE THE DATE!

November 1, 2023

5:00 PM-8:00 PM

YUM! YUM! ... Join us for our annual Pizza Ranch fundraiser!

A night of good food and fun!

Hope to see you there!

Pizza Ranch in Sioux Falls - 2717 W 41st Street

What's Happening

Here are some educational opportunities offered by South Dakota Parent Connection and by other organizations that can help support South Dakota families. A complete list of events can be found on our website at ww.sdparent.org or Facebook page.

October 11, 2023 - Public Hearing-Department of Social Services - This meeting will consider the adoption and amendment of proposed Dept. of Social Services’ Medical Services Administrative Rules of South Dakota.

October 12 - 14, 2023 Afterschool...It's the REAL DEAL Conference: Each October, SoDakSACA sponsors a statewide conference for professionals working with school-age children to fit its mission of promoting quality improvement through professional development. Approximately 200 after-school directors, staff, and others attend this annual conference for the excellent keynotes, workshop sessions, and networking opportunities it affords.

October 17-21, 2023: The South Dakota Statewide Family Engagement Center: will be offering Common Sense Parenting as a free online class from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM MT (enrollees should plan to attend all six sessions).

Preregistration is required.

October 23-25, 2023 - 2023 Disability Services & Supports Fall Conference: Brought to you by SDRehabACTion. Learn more about the presenters and how to register on their website.

November 6 - 8, 2023 - ARC's National Convention: an opportunity to connect and learn with advocates, professionals, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families. If you are interested in employment, education, advocacy, housing, criminal justice, and more – our sessions are sure to challenge, inspire, and motivate!

This e-publication was developed under grants from the U.S. Department of Education Project Grant H328M2000666 and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Grant H328M140021, Family to Family Health Information Center, $93,175; 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.