April is Autism Acceptance Month

For April's Autism Awareness month some have stressed changing the language used to Autism Acceptance Month. 

How Can Making A Plan (MAP) Teams Help Families?

Making A Plan (MAP) teams are designated to partner with families to help children with significant mental health challenges.

Procedural Safeguards and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

We encourage families to think of the Procedural Safeguards by its subtitle, "Your Family's Special Education Rights."

Virtual Support Group - April 15

Any parent or caregiver of a child with a behavioral challenge is welcome to join us on the first and third Thursday of each month.


Register here >>

Families As Allies Board Meeting - April 15

The Families as Allies quarterly board meeting will be held in ZOOM and is open to anyone who wants to attend.


Register here >>

ADA, Olmstead and EPSDT -- What Do All These Things Mean to Me? - April 16

This webinar gives families a layperson's overview of civil rights laws related to mental health and Medicaid and what those laws mean about helping children be able to live in their homes and communities.


Register here >>

Supportive Coaching for Parents Supporting Other Parents - April 21

Monthly meeting and online gathering to coach and support parents who are helping other parents in any system.


Register here >>

What is a System of Care and How Do MAP Teams Help Families? - April 23

This webinar explains from a family perspective what local "Making a Plan" (MAP) teams are and how they are designed to help children with serious mental health challenges stay in their homes and communities.


Register here >>

Clinical Trials for Youth: A Family/Caregiver Survey

Clinical Trials for Youth: Feedback from Families Needed Calling all families/caregivers with youth under 18.

IRIS | Family Engagement: Collaborating with Families of Students with Disabilities

This module--a revision of Collaborating with Families, which was originally developed in cooperation with the PACER Center--addresses the importance of engaging the families of students with disabilities in their childs education. It highlights some of the key factors that affect these families and outlines some practical ways to build relationships and create opportunities for involvement (est. completion time: 1 hour).

ED COVID-19 Handbook, Volume 2: Roadmap to Reopening Safely and Meeting All Students' Needs (PDF)

This guidance document is intended to be a resource for States, districts, schools, and teachers as they reopen schools safely and support students. Separately, the Department will issue guidance on specific provisions of ARP statute and program implementation.