MPACT Offices are Closed Thursday and Friday, November 25-26th, 2021. |
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November is National Caregiver's Month |
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Here at MPACT, we know many of our families are caregiving for a child or loved one with a disability. This month we honor you. For resources to help on your caregiving journey, visit these sites:
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Foster Adopt Connect Resources |
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FosterAdopt Connect works with children, youth, and families as they navigate the complexities of the child welfare system. With the help of innovative tools, a dedicated professional staff, and over 20 years of experience working in the Kansas and Missouri foster care systems, we’re equipped to connect children with families that provide love, healing, and stability for a brighter future. Click HERE to visit fosteradopt.org
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Life is as Sweet as Pie with Assistive Technology! |
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View the MoAT Resources and Services Guide HERE
View the AT and the IEP fact sheet HERE
View the MoAT Resources and Services Infographic HERE
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The mission of Missouri Assistive Technology is to increase access to assistive technology for Missourians with all types of disabilities, of all ages. In the State FY 2020, Missouri Assistive Technology enhanced the lives of over 50,000 Missourians with disabilities, family members, and professionals. Our programs provided 6,339 individuals with appropriate assistive devices and an additional 17,415 Missourians participated in the training, received AT demonstrations, borrowed devices through our loan program, or received AT guidance. |
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RAISE Center and MPACT Survey:
Transition Resources and Preparation of Young Adults with Disabilities
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The RAISE Center and Missouri Parents Act (MPACT) seek to gather information from post-high school youth with disabilities, aged 18 - 26, on their experiences in the adult world, asking them questions like:
- Would you wish you had known more about navigating systems, organizations, or experiences?
- What kinds of things were unexpected in your daily life?
- Have you experienced any big surprises?
- If you could go back to high school, what questions would you want to know?
- And much, much more...
Thank you for supporting RAISE and MPACT as we listen to what our youth has to say.
Questions about the survey can be directed to Missouri Parents Act 800-743-7634.
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Request for Stakeholder Engagement |
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First Steps Annual Performance Report
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) established the State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR) which is a series of “indicators” designed to measure results for children and families served in Missouri’s Part C early intervention program known as First Steps. The Office of Childhood is engaging with Missouri stakeholders to set annual targets or goals for these indicators, to analyze data, develop improvement strategies, and evaluate the progress. A series of focus groups will be conducted to share information with stakeholders and gather feedback.
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Click HERE and register to attend a virtual focus group by November 30th.
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Special Education Stakeholder Feedback Needed! |
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As someone with an interest in the education of students, particularly students with disabilities, your feedback is needed. All states are required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to have special education performance indicators that become part of the State Performance Plan/Annual Performance (SPP/APR) Report. There are seventeen different indicators that the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education uses in setting annual targets and offering ideas to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. Your feedback is needed, and your voice can contribute to setting targets and provide suggestions based on your lived experiences.
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Here’s how to have your voice be heard:
Go to the MO DESE SPP/APR Stakeholder Information page HERE
Review each indicator, expanding the view by changing the “ꓦ” to “ꓥ” or clicking on the underlined Indicator Number and Title. You will see the indicator description, view a brief video, examine the presentation with notes, and participate in the survey for the specific indicator.
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View the program overview video: |
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There is a separate program overview and survey for each of the indicators or indicator pairs. Click on the links below to view the videos and participate in the surveys. |
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1 & 2 Graduation and Dropout |
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5 School-age Least Restrictive Environments |
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6 Early Childhood Special Education Environments |
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Dispute Resolution Resources |
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The Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education's (CADRE) major emphasis is on encouraging the use of mediation, facilitation, and other collaborative processes as strategies for resolving disagreements between parents and schools about children's educational programs and support services. Parent guides for IDEA Part B dispute resolution are available in 13 languages. Companion videos and dispute resolution comparison charts are available in English and Spanish. |
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DESE makes mediation available to allow parents or adult students and responsible public agencies to resolve disagreements involving any matter under Part B of IDEA, including matters arising prior to the filing of a child complaint or a due process complaint. Mediation is provided at no cost to either party. DESE-funded mediation is available to resolve disputes regarding the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or related services for students with disabilities. The mediation model form can be found HERE. |
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What is a Facilitated IEP or FIEP?
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Parents, eligible students, or a public agency may file a due process complaint with DESE’s Office of Special Education concerning the proposed action of the agency to initiate or refuse to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of the student or the provision of a free appropriate public education to the student. The Due Process complaint must allege a violation that happened not more than two years before the date the parent or the public agency knew or should have known about the alleged action that forms the basis of the due process complaint. The Due Process application can be found HERE. |
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Missouri Connections is a comprehensive, online, career development and planning program that is provided free of charge to all Missouri citizens. Funded by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, this program supports the career development efforts of schools, community organizations, and adult job seeker programs. Missouri Connections helps individuals learn about their talents, skills, and interests and makes the connection between planning for continued education and the work world. Click HERE to visit the website.
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We are Thankful for MPACT Mentors! |
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Help MPACT celebrate Kansas City native, Maxine Williams, who in spite of the struggles and obstacles that COVID-19 presented, recently graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Health Administration Degree. Congratulations Maxine!
Maxine describes herself as trustworthy, respectful, and a thinker outside the box. These three attributes truly make her an exceptional mentor! In her free time Maxine enjoys giving thanks to God for all the blessings He has bestowed on her and watching the oldie but goodie show “Def Comedy Jam”. If you’re looking for Maxine, you can be sure to find her nestled in the company of positive thinking people and environments that provide her the opportunity to spread the word about anything that’s good.
Maxine says she enjoys being a Mentor with MPACT because she values being a part of making positive change for youth. She loves helping youth to see that they have the potential for a great future when they use their resources.
Maxine says that the best life lesson she has learned is developing good life skills at home, finishing your educational goals, and honoring those who make it possible for your success. Maxine’s motto is, “An empty cup cannot fill up another cup”. Thank you, Maxine, for sharing your life with MPACT and being a Mentor.
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MPACT Webinars in November and December
Click on the links below to register
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Section 504 and Students with Disabilities
Steps to Success: Family Record-Keeping
Steps to Success: Effectively
Communicating Your Child’s Needs
Special Education Law: A Brief Overview
Understanding the IEP Process
Transitions: ECSE to Elementary
Special Education: What I Need to Know
Understanding the IEP Process
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Steps to Success: Family Record Keeping
Understanding the IEP Process
Special Education Laws: A Brief Overview
McKinney Vento
Understanding the Evaluation Process
Understanding the Evaluation Process
Art of Effective Advocacy
Bullying Prevention- What Parents Can Do
*Featured Training of the Month
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View all upcoming MPACT trainings HERE.
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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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Make a Difference in the Lives of
Missouri Families, Join MPACT Today!
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What is an MPACT Mentor Volunteer?
Mentors are trained volunteers who, upon request, provide support to families of children with disabilities throughout the special education process. A mentor does not represent or speak for a parent or family member, but a mentor does help empower an individual to become a strong educational advocate for his or her child. MPACT mentors are screened and receive training and supervision from MPACT staff.
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MPACT (Missouri Parents Act) is looking for enthusiastic individuals to help develop a diverse community-based board of directors. We seek members with a broad variety of backgrounds, ethnicities and experience, people with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, people with experience with other children’s issues, people simply interested in child education, people with fundraising expertise, business professionals, and educators.
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Shop with MPACT on Amazon Smile :) |
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Your holiday shopping can help make a difference, at no additional cost to you!
When you shop at smile.amazon.com, or in the Amazon app with AmazonSmile turned on within Settings, you'll find the same products and same low prices as the Amazon you already know - plus, they donate a portion of your purchases to your chosen charity.
#amazonsmilecharity #amazonsmiledonates
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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.
Copyright © 2021 MPACT. All rights reserved
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