RTSC Consider This... June 2020

Consider This...

Things to Consider in June 2020 from RTSC

In this Month:

June 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.

Greetings!

We will No Longer Stand By, but We will Stand With…

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

I must say that 2020 has left me stunned both personally and professionally. But the issues of race and divisionism in this country has rocked many of us to the core. We are an organization that was founded because of exclusionism and the need for acknowledgement and inclusion. The important issue in that is the acknowledgement of the gifts and dignity of all people, not just the abled bodied. So is it with the issue of racism.

We, at Recruitment, Training, and Support Center (RTSC) for Special Education Surrogate Parents (SESPs) , help and support those working with the most vulnerable of students within our state, the students in DCF custody, which are disproportionately students of color. So the race issues in our country hits close to home, with many of us knowing firsthand how this impacts these youth every day. As a parent of daughters who are black, I know the fear that this unrest causes me, and I know the need for “the talk” of preparedness for worst case scenarios occurring in the everyday activities such as driving to the store at night. But I also know that power of working and supporting one another.

So, I leave you with the message from the Federation’s Executive Director, Pam Nourse:

“At the Federation for Children with Special Needs, we believe diversity is our strength.

We stand with many in our communities against systemic racism in our society.

We seek equity and social justice, especially for underserved families and children.

We speak in support of and stand by the Black community.

The Federation was founded by parents fighting for the civil rights of children with disabilities - no matter their race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. We then, and now, refuse to accept the status quo and will continue to pursue real change.

We stand together."

With that I hope for the safety and wellbeing of all those who are vulnerable. Please know, that you do not stand alone . We stand right next to you!

Please welcome our new RTSC Training and Support Specialist

Bridget Koetsch

Bridget has a Master of Education in Special Education and has taught for over 22 years in public schools. She made the decision to leave the school system and established Children First: Educational Coaching which provides tutoring, Advocacy/Consultant and Professional Development throughout Massachusetts. Bridget attended the Federation's PCTI, served as an Information Center consultant, and is an active Special Education Surrogate Parent. The Federation will greatly benefit from Bridget’s experience and expertise.

Factsheet on Issues and Concerns Regarding LGBTQ Youth In the Care and Custody of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families

Being that it is Pride month in Massachusetts, now seems like the appropriate time to talk about the state of Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender & Queer (LGBTQ) youth in the Child Welfare System, and unfortunately it doesn’t look good. This fact sheet complied by Citizens for Juvenile Justice and GLAD Legal Advocates & Defenders takes a look at the situation in Massachusetts for this very vulnerable population within the DCF system and what needs to be addressed to adequately meet their needs. And if you are working with a LGBTQ youth, remember to wish them a H a p p y P r i d e !

Kids from low-income homes are three times more likely not to have consistent access to a device.
Courtesy of ParentsTogether via SurveyMonkey

Survey Shows Big Remote Learning Gaps for Low Income and Special Needs Children

Many are aware of the learning gaps between socioeconomic groups, but the remote learning that has become necessary due to the pandemic has drastically increased that gap as this survey indicates. Now the larger question becomes how do we, as educators, bridge that gap as we move into the summer learning and while looking forward to the “new normal” for the upcoming fall term.

An Initial Guide to Leveraging the Power of Social Emotional Learning > As You Prepare to Reopen and Renew Your School Community

As we look towards the future and the fall school-term and anticipate what that might look like, we must take into account how to approach the new year from a Social and Emotional perceptive, especially within the turmoil of the pandemic. “School leaders will need to bring together administrators, teachers, school staff, families, youth and community partners to co-create supportive learning environments where all students and adults can enhance their social and emotional competencies, feel a sense of belonging, heal, and thrive.” This guide offers strategies and policies to generate a much needed “relational” plan of fostering learning and growth during the reopening of classrooms.

In the Wake of School Closures, What Matters Most to Admins, Principals, Teachers, and Parents?

With the beginning of summer learning looming over educators and several months of remote learning behind them, stakeholders are looking at some of the challenges facing them as they move forward. Rather than just asking the questions that most have about the guidance of the states, this article poses some innovative solutions to the issues that matter most to each group of invested parties.

Behavior Happens! But Does It Have To?

How often, do you find that you are in a battle of the wills with your child? And even if you think that you have gotten your child to comply with your wishes, have you really won? Really? Was the battle worth the supposed victory? What if you knew some steps to take to the avoid the meltdowns in the first place? Dot Lucci, M.Ed., CAGS, Director of Consultation and Psychoeducational Services, NESCA has some ideas and suggestions that can help to avoid the crisis moments in the first place, so that you won't have to worry about how to deal with them when they happen.

Useful Tips and Resources

Racism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News

“Racism is not new,” says Dr. Kenya Hameed, PsyD, a clinical neuropsychologist at the Child Mind Institute. “These are ongoing problems. It’s going to take all of us changing the mentality and the mindset to work towards a better future and fix them.”

Research shows that even very young children are aware of racial differences, and children can learn harmful lessons about race when it’s not discussed openly.

Dr. Hameed discusses options and solutions for helping parents and adults talk to and support children of all ages through these scary and uncertain times facing communities across America.

Leading With Race to Reimagine Youth Justice

The Anne Casey Foundation's, The Deep End Initiative builds on Casey’s flagship juvenile justice reform movement and the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative , which focuses on reform and more equitable youth justice system. This report describes and displays data contributing to the the "deep-end" of the juvenile court system.

Supporting Teenagers and Young Adults During the Coronavirus Crisis

Much has been writing over the last several months about supporting younger children during the pandemic but Child Mind Institute is looking at ways to support older youth during these unprecedented times.

As anyone working with older youth know, it can be a challenge to engage them in meaningful ways on a good day. That’s what adolescence is all about, disengaging from the support of caregivers. But let’s be honest, we still have to live with and/or work with them.

Here are some effective ways of engagement that you may find helpful during this time.

Toolkit Supplies

Resources for Educators and Families During School Closures and Social Distancing

Sound Discipline – Making Connections that Matter offers a variety of resources for these challenging times that are of great value, as well as offering virtual support groups for both parents and educators. There are also resources in Spanish.

Working with the Trauma of Racism

In this informative video blog, Thema Bryant-Davis, PhD. Talks about how racism is a form of trauma, how it impacted one student in particular, and shows how liberation therapy worked for that client.

Regulation before Education: Strategies for a Successful Return

Emote has presented several webinars on regulating students as the key strategy prior to educating students upon their return to the classroom. Each webinar offers insights into the necessities of SEL before jumping into educational material and how essential that is for students today.

Upcoming Federation Events

Conversations with the Federation

Wednesday - June 24th at 5:00 PM

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.