RTSC Consider This... May 2020

Consider This...

Things to Consider in May 2020 from RTSC

In this Month:

May Articles
Useful Tips and Resources
Toolkit Supplies
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.

Where, oh, where has everyone gone?

B y Mary-Beth Landy, Trainer, Recruitment and Support Specialist, Western Mass.

I know that this time of unending isolation has become a challenging time for everyone, especially for the students that we work with; who are living in congregate care facilities, and secluded from their school friends and the supports that help them to navigate their environments. I also know that the role of an SESP can be solitary at the best of times. So, I want to take a moment to remind everyone that, although the offices at the Federation for Children with Special Needs are closed at this time, we are still here. We are working remotely, and still available for questions, answers and support through this challenging time. But maybe it’s a good time to remind you of who we are and how to reach us. As a reminder you can always use the general email address rtsc@fcsn.org or call 617-399-8342.

We are available for support. We are continuing to hold trainings and orientations online, so if you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Special Education Surrogate Parent (SESPs), please let us know and we will help get you started on a path to a very rewarding opportunity to help a student in need! -- Be well and stay safe!

RTSC Training and Support Specialists

Mary-Beth is the Training, Support and Recruitment Specialist in Western Mass. She has served as a Family and Educational Advocate for almost 16 years. She has worked as the Call Center Coordinator for the Federation’s Parent Training and Information Center , assisting families and professional by educating, informing, and empowering them in Special Education rights and services, including the federal and state laws. Mary-Beth has run her own educational advocacy agency, specializing in mental health issues. She has been a trainer and facilitator for National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI Mass), as well as a Family Partner for Riverside Community Care, where she worked with families of children with mental health issues. Mary-Beth is the parent of two children adopted through the Department of Children and Families. Mary-Beth’s contact information is mlandy@fcsn.org , or 617-399-8341 (direct line).

Eileen Sandberg is RTSC's Training and Support Specialist as well as the Pathways for Parents Coordinator. She has five children with special needs, and has worked in a volunteer capacity for many years, including four years as the chairperson for the Newton SEPAC. Eileen has an MBA degree and a PhD in Health Policy, and previously worked at the Harvard School of Public Health and the Tufts Medical Center as a health economics researcher. Like many FCSN employees, she came to know the world of special needs through her children, and switched careers to use that expertise. Eileen's contact information is esandberg@fcsn.org , (617) 399-8312 (direct line).

Newest DESE Guidance on Remote Learning

On March 27th, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released its' guidance on remote learning. That guidance was issued under the presumption that Massachusetts schools would be reopening this school year. As we all know by now, Governor Baker has determined that schools will remain closed through the end of the 2019-2020 school year. That being said, the original guidance on remote learning was revised to accommodate that time frame and the learning objectives for our students. This new guidance, called "Strengthening Our Remote Learning Experience", has a slightly more robust outlook to it. The two main points that are emphasized are: Further defining the recommended elements of a quality remote learning program, including a focus on teaching the content standards most critical for student success in the next grade level. And encouraging districts to move all students towards successful engagement in remote learning, with a focus on addressing fundamental needs. In other words, moving from reviewing of previous classroom material, to introducing new material to move students forward towards further grade advancement. Additional DESE COVID-19 Information .

Boy looking through a magnifying glass, surrounded by greenery.

5 ways parents can motivate children at home during the pandemic – without nagging or tantrums

I'm sure that we have all seen the memes popping up on social media; "Homeschooling not going so well…so far two students suspended for fighting, and one teacher fired for drinking on the job!" or "It may take a village to raise a child, but it takes a vineyard to homeschool one!" The reality of trying to homeschool your children is a daunting one at best. Many of us are trying to coordinate schedules and projects for more than one child, and if we are lucky, trying to work from home. This article by Wendy Grolnick, a psychologist and parenting expert has laid out some strategies to help parents to structure the school day in a way that can help to avoid the arguments and stress that homeschooling can bring in this time.

7 ways to make remote learning accessible to all students

Torrey Trust, Ph.D., an associate professor of learning technology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, speaks about the issue of inequity and access for all learners at this time of remote learning, especially given the many different learning styles that students have. Author Jennifer Snelling, speaks to several different tools available to address these learning styles to reach students of all abilities.

DOE's Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During COVID-19

The Federal Department of Education has compiled a list of FAQs in response to the current COVID-19 crisis and its impact on Special Education with the states' responsibilities for providing for the most vulnerable of students. Although these questions are not all incumbusing, they do address many of the general questions that have given guidance to the states regarding obligations for these students. Many of the questions and answer address generalized remarks about all age groups of students and what are the legal basis for these decisions.

Useful Tips and Resources

How to Teach Social-Emotional Learning When Students Aren't in School

So you have a student who is now required to access their education online, utilize Executive Functioning Skills for organization and independence skills that they may or may not have acquired yet, in an environment that may or may not be ideal for learning, and that's all if they have access to technology and Wi-Fi. Easy, right? What could go wrong? Oh yeah, and they are missing the structure and social and emotional support that they require to be able to deal with their stress at best and mental health issues at its worst. And that's just on the student's side of the computer. What about the teachers and counselors tasked with addressing those needs of the students while trying to acquire the technological skills on the fly. Education Weekly has helped to address some of those challenges in this article by Arianna Prothero .

How To Stay Resilient And Mentally Healthy During The Coronavirus Outbreak

"Many different fears right now are converging all at once on people in a way that is really overwhelming, and confusing and hard to sort out," Jonathan Kanter, director of the Center for the Science of Social Connection at the University of Washington, told On Point's Meghna Chakrabarti. And it's not just the coronavirus we're afraid of. It's also the changes the coronavirus is causing, Kanter says.

WBUR 's interview with Dr. Elissa Epel is presented in transcript form, discussing everyday things that we can do in order to increase our resilience and address our own mental health concerns at this unprecedented time.

Stress, Distress & Trauma Series

Many of you have heard me discuss the work of Dr. Bruce Perry as part of our trainings. Dr. Perry is the founder of the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics and Education, and is considered one of the world's foremost authorities on Trauma and Child Development. During this time of COVID-19, he and his team have put together a series of videos on the impact of the pandemic on individuals and communities. Each video in the series varies in length but because of the value that each one brings, I offer all of the series for you to select on your own, which ones offer you the most for your present needs.

Stress and Coping

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has established a site for dealing with the daily stressors that people are experiencing due to the shelter-in-place orders , as well as the virus itself. Although these may seem to be common sense ideas, it never hurts to have further reminders of self-care, and effective ways to process the stress that everyone is dealing with in their own ways.

Toolkit Supplies

The Pandemic Toolkit Parents Need

Self-regulation involves controlling our own behavior, emotions, and thoughts as we pursue long-term goals . This crucial skill is something parents can help develop in their children, especially during times of uncertainty and stress. Trauma specialist, Dr. Bruce Perry, has designed a toolkit to help parent's help their children to regulate during this time.

Being Well Podcast: Coping with Quarantine

"Over the last month many people have been stuck at home – occasionally with people they’d rather not be around. Maintaining a healthy relationship can be a struggle under the best of times, let alone during times of stress." Take a listen to renowned Neuropsychologist, Rick Hanson talk about stress and

specific tools for maintaining a healthy relationship.

60-Second Strategy: Community Circles

An opening and closing exercise where every student contributes is a way to ensure that they all feel seen and heard in the classroom.

The Power of Parenting Tip Series!

This video series provides support and guidance to all parents and caregivers of young children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Upcoming Federation Events

Conversations with the Federation

May 13th at 5:00 p.m.

FCSN invites you to a special webinar with our Executive Director Pam Nourse and Director of Transition Services Nancy Mader who will discuss how the FCSN has taken action to assist families during these difficult times.

RTSC and NESCA Webinar Series

The RTSC Project at the Federation for Children with Special Needs is honored to partner with the Neuropsychology & Education Services for Children & Adolescents (NESCA) on this informative webinar series. SESPs, Parents, Professionals and Educators will all benefit from the expertise shared through these one hour presentations. Click on the webinar title to register:

Testing in the Age of Remote Learning

May 12th 10:00 AM Presenter: NESCA Founder/Director Ann Helmus, Ph.D.

Transition Services in our Remote Environment

May 26th 10:00 AM Presenter: Kelley Challen, Ed.M., CAS, Director of Transition Services; Assistant Director of NESCAMs

Supports for Students with a History of Trauma and Significant Anxiety

June 9th 10:00 AM Presenters: Renée Marchant, Psy.D., Pediatric Neuropsychologist and Stephanie Monaghan-Blout, Psy.D., Director of Therapy Services; Trauma-informed Therapist.