MPACT offices will be closed in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 17th, 2022. |
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“It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one destiny, affects all indirectly.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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MPACT One Step at a Time Webinar Series |
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Early Intervention and First Steps Resources |
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First Steps is Missouri’s Early Intervention system that provides services to families with children, birth to three years of age, with disabilities or developmental delays. The program is designed to meet the needs of families related to enhancing their child’s development, learning, and participation in family and community life.
For more information on Early Intervention and First Steps
you can visit our website HERE
For MPACT's First Steps fact sheets click on the buttons below:
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New Missouri Early Childhood State Advisory Council |
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The first Executive Order of 2022 created a council of parents and other stakeholders to provide input on Missouri’s Early Childhood efforts. If you are the parent of a student age 12 or younger, you may apply for a seat on the council. Council members advise and assist in providing feedback on services for early intervention programs, the transition of toddlers with disabilities to preschool, and other appropriate services. They also provide input to an annual report on the status of early intervention programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities and assist the lead agency in providing services for children from birth to age three.
For details on this specific Board or Commission click HERE
For the application to be considered for the Board or Commission click HERE
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DESE Facilitator Recruitment 2022 |
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DESE is recruiting individuals to serve as IEP Meeting Facilitators around the state. Interested parties should request a bid packet. If selected, DESE will provide training via a virtual training platform the week of March 14 – 18, 2022. For more information click HERE
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Parents have many options when attempting to resolve a disagreement with their child’s school. One informal dispute resolution option that parents have is a facilitated IEP. IEP facilitation is not mentioned in IDEA and is not mentioned in the procedural safeguards, but it is an approach that is being used more often to help IEP Teams reach agreements in special education decision-making.
Click HERE to view more information from DESE!
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10 Fun Winter Activities for Families |
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Help beat the winter blues and indoor boredom by reading these 10 Fun Winter Activities published by Parenting Magazine.
Click HERE to read the article!
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Juvenile Justice Corner- RISE |
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Thanks for stopping by MPACT's Juvenile Justice Corner-RISE. RISE is MPACT's Juvenile Justice Initiative and it stands for Reach, Inspire, Support, and Empower. The project provides Missouri families and their youth who may be involved or are at risk of becoming involved in the justice system, with materials and resources that REACH families where they are; INSPIRE families and youth to advocate for their educational rights; SUPPORT them through the special education process and; EMPOWER them to become effective advocates for themselves. RISE supports families of justice-involved youth through the special education process by providing:
- FREE support, training, and information to help parents and youth navigate the special education process and understand their rights and responsibilities under IDEA and Section 504.
- Technical assistance to families and youth via phone, email, and social media.
- Support during IEP meetings and other educational meetings
- Youth-focused training that helps to prepare youth for postsecondary education, employment, and independent living .
Our partnerships and collaborations with youth-serving organizations help us to further our mission of providing support to youth by allowing us to connect them to services they might need outside of education that aid in their successful re-entry back into their school and community.
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In this month's corner, we have a video from former Chief Juvenile Officer Randall Rhodes and Juvenile Officer, Angela Usery of the 32nd Judicial Circuit of Cape Girardeau Mo. that discusses the positive outcomes they've experienced when parents advocate for their children and how MPACT can help to support families and justice-involved youth through the special education process. |
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Military Family New Year Strategies |
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Are you looking for a new years' resolution? Look no further! Read this article HERE published by militaryfamilieslearningnetwork.org for some tips and strategies to build healthy habits this year and in the future.
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The 18th Annual MO-YLF will be held July 12-16, 2022 |
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The Missouri Youth Leadership Forum (MO-YLF) is a unique career leadership-training program for high school students with disabilities, ages 16 – 21. Youth delegates are selected from their local communities to cultivate leadership, citizenship, social, and career development skills at this summer program.
For information and application for the 1-day Virtual Leadership Forum, click HERE.
To apply for the 2022 Missouri Youth Leadership Forum, click HERE.
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Missouri Inclusion & Youth Leadership Awards |
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The Governor’s Council on Disability is seeking nominations for the Inclusion and Youth Leadership Awards. Please help recognize, honor and celebrate the individuals, agencies, and organizations that have demonstrated leadership and inclusion by improving the lives of individuals in the disability community, especially during the pandemic.
If you know of an individual or organization in Missouri that has stood out this year in their efforts to include people with disabilities in employment, housing, leisure activities, or technology, please nominate them for the Inclusion Award HERE.
To recognize a young person in the disability community (ages 16-26) that has effected positive changes in inclusion through leadership and advocacy, please nominate them for the Youth Leadership Award HERE.
Nominations can be completed online or submitted by email/mail/fax and will be accepted through 1/31/2022.
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We're Looking For You, Apply Now! |
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Missouri Artists, Showcase Your Artwork! |
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Consider showcasing your art in this year's art exhibition. The deadline is three weeks away on January 28, 2022!
The annual art contest is an opportunity for individuals served by the Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH) to display their creative talents. Each year, the Foundation collects consumer artwork in the mental illness, substance use disorder, developmental disability, professional and photography categories. The pieces are then reviewed and awarded by a panel of judges.
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Transition to Adult Life Virtual Learning Opportunity |
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Sandy Weitkamp, Benefits Case Manager for the Skills Center of St. Peters, will present tips on transitioning from high school to the next step for people with disabilities. This class will go over the top 5 things to consider as a person with disabilities transitions from high school to the next step. Topics will include, knowing one's limitations, financial implications, housing needs, guardianship, and employment decisions. Click HERE to learn more and to register!
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Supportive Decision Making Webinar Series |
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The PA Assistive Technology Foundation has produced a webinar series called “Money Talks," which covers ways in which people with disabilities can get help in decision-making about health care and money. Check out the video to learn more!
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MPACT Webinars in January
Click on the links below to register
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McKinney-Vento
Special Education Mediation
How to Write Measurable Annual Goals
Steps to Success: Effectively Communicating Your Child’s Needs
Steps to Success: Effectively Communicating Your Child’s Needs
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Steps to Success:
Understanding the IFSP
Steps to Success:
First Steps Parental Rights
Steps to Success: IDEA Part C to B
Positive Behavior Interventions
Steps to Success:
Family Record Keeping
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*Featured Training of the Month |
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In-Person Training Opportunity in January |
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Art of Effective Advocacy
Saturday, January 15, 2022, 9:00-10:00 AM
Location:
Pulaski County Special Services/Pulaski Voice
105 Ichord Ave, Waynesville, MO 65583
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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 © 2021 MPACT. All rights reserved
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