April is Military Child & Child Abuse Prevention Month |
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Here at MPACT, we recognize that as a military family you face unique challenges. Click HERE to be directed to MPACT's military initiative webpage for information about how we serve you and other families.
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Month of the Military Child |
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In celebration of Month of the Military Child, for our Voices From the Field interview, we interviewed Dorothy Bosworth and Jolynn Lee who work with the Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP) Program at the ED-funded Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment (PAVE). They discuss their experiences as military spouses and parents of children with exceptional needs.
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Military Child Abuse Prevention Toolkit |
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April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Department of Defense campaign aims to help families build resilience during uncertain times and raise awareness of a key protective factor shown to increase children’s resilience: the stability of a caring adult in their lives – whether a family member, teacher, coach or another positive figure. The campaign encourages adults to step up as positive role models, support parents in the military community and Stand Up for #MilKids. Click HERE to read more!
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Early Learning Supporting Military Families |
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Families are essential in the development of young children. Many families are tasked with finding ways to balance the demands of their children and their careers. For military families, these demands are combined with the duties and responsibilities of military members. There are more than 1.6 million military children whose families move an average of every two to three years. Month of the Military Child, which is celebrated in April, is a time to celebrate military children and their importance in the military community. In this issue, we have included resources to support military children and families. We would like to thank you for your sacrifices during this month and throughout the year. Click HERE to read more!
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Homeless Assistance for Military Families |
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As we focus on McKinney Vento in May, it is something that can affect our military/veteran families as well. For resources click HERE
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Teacher Appreciation Week May 2-6 |
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It's time to show them our love and appreciation so let’s give the teachers in our lives a special thanks for all that they do during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 2-6. Click HERE to learn more how to appreciate a Teacher!
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NAMI Children's Mental Health Week May 4-7 |
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Children’s Mental Health Week (CMHW) is the first full week in May each year. NAMI and partner organizations recognize CMHW with awareness activities in local communities and a virtual Facebook Live bell-ringing event.
On Thursday, May 5, 2022 @ 1:30 pm we’ll be raising awareness for Children’s Mental Health Week by ringing our bells and encouraging our partners across the state to join us in a Facebook Live Event.
For more information on how you can participate click HERE
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Educating Missouri's Homeless Children |
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The McKinney-Vento Act guarantees homeless children and youth an education equal to what they would receive if they were not homeless.
Who is Homeless? According to the McKinney-Vento Act, homeless children and youth include individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing or economic hardship, living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds, living in emergency or transitional shelters, being abandoned in hospitals, living in a nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodation, living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings.
The McKinney-Vento Act also recognizes unaccompanied youth who are homeless. According to the act, an unaccompanied youth is a youth not in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian.
Which School Can a Homeless Child Attend? There are two choices for a student in a homeless situation - the school of origin and the school of residency. The school of origin is the school the child attended when permanently housed or the school in which the child was last enrolled. The school of residency is the school serving the area where the child or youth is currently physically dwelling. When determining the school of best interest, a homeless child or youth should remain in the school of origin {to the extent feasible) unless doing so is contrary to the wishes of the parent or guardian or to the wishes of the unaccompanied youth.
For more information on McKinney Vento and the education of homeless Missouri youth including enrollment, transportation, and the Homeless Liaison contact Missouri's Homeless Liaison (573) 522-8763 or Cheryl.kosmatka@dese.mo.gov
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Watch the video to learn more or view the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE) webpage HERE
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The National Alliance to End Homelessness -
Youth and Young Adult Homelessness
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It is estimated that over the course of a year, approximately 550,000 unaccompanied youth and young adults up to age 24 experience a homelessness episode of longer than one week. More than half are under the age of 18. Click HERE to learn more.
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Disability Resource Association -Homeless Youth Initiative |
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The homeless youth initiative program is designed to help 15 to 18 year old's who do not live with their families and are still in high school. Our primary goal is to assist these youths in becoming self-sufficient by providing them with the tools and resources they will need to be successful in an independent living situation.
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If you are currently assisting a suicidal youth, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK. All calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline from Missouri are routed to the call center that covers your school or campus’s area. There are also local crisis services offered through Missouri’s Access Crisis Intervention providers. This information can be found HERE.
The Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting “MOSAFE” to 741741. If you think a youth is at immediate risk of suicide, call 911 immediately for help. Please help ensure the entire school community is aware of these suicide prevention resources. Click HERE for printable posters and more information to display prominently in your schools. Feel free to use and distribute as needed.
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Thinking about Summer Vacation? |
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Learning to get around not only expands job options, it’s a ton of fun. Don’t just take our word for it. Meet Matthew and Martin, two young men in the UK talking about the freedom and self-esteem that comes with travelling independently – and not needing your mom to pick you up anymore. |
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Accessible Transportation |
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The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that public transportation systems become accessible to people with disabilities and that paratransit services are available and accessible to individuals who are unable to use public transportation.
The availability of transportation is not the only barrier. Students must also know what systems of transport are available, how to access them, how to plan their travel, and how to execute their travel plans safely.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires public schools to provide “transition services” to youth with disabilities, to prepare them for the transition from school to adult life. While accessible transportation and transportation training are not mentioned within IDEA, the ability to use available transportation systems may be critical to a student’s transition into the adult world.
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MPACT Volunteer Mentors are trained volunteers who serve their communities by empowering parents and families to advocate for their children with special needs. Volunteers participate in a variety of activities including supporting parents and families during educational meetings, providing educational meeting preps, disseminating information at resource and back to school events, and supporting MPACT staff at conferences and other events. While MPACT recognizes its mentors throughout the year, we have set aside a special time to celebrate their dedication and success in their mentor role. MPACT recently hosted a recognition banquet for all certified mentors at Camden on the Lake Resort in Lake Ozark Missouri. Volunteer Mentors were lavished with praise, recognition, and gifts for their selfless efforts in supporting Missouri families. View the video for a peek into what our volunteers experienced during the conference. |
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SEAP - Special Education Advisory Council |
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The purpose of the Missouri Special Education Advisory Panel is to provide policy guidance on special education and related services. The panel shall:
- Advise the State Education Agency (SEA) of unmet needs within the State in the education of children with disabilities.
- Comment publicly on any rules or regulations proposed by the state regarding the education of children with disabilities.
- Advise the SEA in developing evaluations and reporting on data to the US Office of Education under Section 618 of the Act.
- Advise the SEA in developing corrective action plans to address findings identified in Federal monitoring reports under Part B of the Act; and
- Advise the SEA in developing and implementing policies relating to the coordination of services for children with disabilities.
- Advise on the education of eligible students with disabilities who have been convicted as adults and incarcerated in adult prisons.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the SEAP or want more information click HERE to be directed to the website
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Seeking Input from Families about Inclusive Technology |
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CAST researchers as part of the Center on Inclusive Technology and Education Systems (CITES) project in collaboration with research intern Angel Morgan from North Carolina State University are conducting a study about ways in which school district leaders, school leaders, teachers, and service providers involve families of students with disabilities in planning, implementing, and using technology.
Family members of a K-12 student with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan who attends a public school in the United States are invited to participate in a survey to share their thoughts. Survey participants may enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card and volunteer to participate in a Focus Group to provide more detailed feedback. For more information (English & Spanish) and a link to the survey, click HERE.
Questions? Contact Angel Morgan, email: amorgan@cast.org
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Celebrate books featuring inclusive authors and characters |
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Disability Book Week, which will take place from April 23-29, 2022, is time in which individuals all over the world are invited to become more inclusive with what they read! We encourage everyone to read a book that either features a main character with a disability or is written by and author with a disability. Download the reading list and more HERE.
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Disability Inclusive Amusement Park in the Works |
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In an article recently released by WENTZVILLE (KMOV) -- "Ground is expected to be broken in early 2023 on Spirit of Discovery Park in Wentzville. The 60-acre amusement park will be fully inclusive but will be designed with rides and attractions to accommodate children and adults with disabilities." The developers expect to close on the land in May, 2022.
Read the news article HERE and view the amusement park website HERE.
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We're Looking For You, Apply Now! |
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MPACT Webinars in April & May
Click on the links below to register
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Understanding the IEP for Parents of Students with ASD
Art of Effective Advocacy
Art of Effective Advocacy
Special Education Law
Writing Post Secondary Goals for Students with ASD
How to Write Measurable Annual Goals
Section 504
Solving the Employment Puzzle
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Special Education Law
What is MPACT
McKinney Vento
Bullying Prevention
Bullying Prevention
Positive Behavior Interventions
Positive Behavior Interventions
Disagreement Resolution
*Featured Training of the Month
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Register for In-Person Training in May |
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Location:
The Library Center
4653 S Campbell Ave, Springfield, MO 65810
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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 online 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 © 2022 MPACT. All rights reserved
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