March Webinar Series

Family Data Leadership Webinar Series

Free Clock Hours

Missouri Family Resources Website

Search and connect to resources, community programs, and childhood services for families with young children under 5

https://familyresources.mo.gov/

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education



Find early childhood resources, family support groups, and other community programs on Missouri Family Resources. You can search by zip code, keyword, or category. Easily share your results with friends and families by email, text, or on social media. Learn more at: familyresources.mo.gov

Special Education Laws and Regulations

To access the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Federal Regulations, Missouri State Plan for Special Education, Procedural Safeguards, Parent's Bill of Rights, and more. Click HERE

MPACT videos and fact sheets are available to help you learn more about the IEP components and evaluation process. Click HERE for access to the fact sheets or HERE for the IEP Components video.

DESE Individualized Education Program (IEP) Forms

New year means time to plan and prepare for your child's IEP.

Click HERE to be directed to sample IEP forms.

Parent Participation

We believe that a child's best advocate is their parent! This is why it is so important for parents to participate in their child's IEP meeting. Even IDEA includes the wording that schools "...shall take steps to ensure that one or both of the parents of a child with a disability are present at each IEP meeting..." To learn more about parent participation at IEP meetings, click HERE

(MoAT), strives to enhance the lives of all Missourians with disabilities, older Missourians, families, and service professionals. Their activities increase access to and acquisition of assistive technology (AT) devices and services. Assistive technology provides choice, control, and independence at home, work, school, or play. Click HERE for MoAT information or to learn about their annual Power Up Conference 2024

Myths and Facts Around AT in Education

The Office of Special Education Programs and the Office of Educational Technology at the Department of Education published Myths and Facts Surrounding Assistive Technology Devices and Services (PDF), a guidance document aimed at dispelling common misconceptions regarding assistive technology (AT). The document is designed to increase understanding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) AT requirements, describe and dispel common myths about AT and how and when it should be deployed in schools, and provide examples of the use of AT devices and services for children with disabilities. The guidance also covers common misconceptions around costs and funding for AT devices and services.

Transition to Adult Life Resources

The Missouri Youth Leadership Forum (MYLF) is a FREE five-day, four-night leadership training and career awareness program for high school students with disabilities held at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) in Columbia, MO. It provides training in leadership, self-advocacy skills, and career awareness. The Youth Leadership Forum enables young adults who have a disability to learn from each other and from successful adults with disabilities who are recognized leaders and role models. Click HERE for the MYLF application and more.

If you have questions, need assistance filling out your application, or need an alternative format, please email gcd@oa.mo.gov or call the Governor's Council on Disability office at 573-751-2600 or 800-877-8249

 Attention All Youth, Parents, and Professionals

High school students are raving about their recent experience at the Regional Transition Network (RTN) event! Here's what they had to say:

🎓 "I learned I could go to college and get help once I was there, got to learn more about college."

🌟 "Enjoyed the breakout rooms, made lots of new friends."

👍 "I didn’t dislike anything, and I loved the speakers."

❓ "Liked that I got the freedom to ask questions."

We were thrilled to host eight area schools at Northwest Missouri State campus in Maryville, with 111 attendees, including 82 students.

But what is RTN? Years ago, MPACT was awarded a grant to bring agencies and youth together to help with the transition from high school to adulthood. Now, several RTNs are active in our state, some for over a decade!

Having an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan in high school can be overwhelming. RTNs step in by organizing transition summits for students and professionals. These summits help students become better self-advocates, engage in hands-on activities, and connect with local agencies. They have fun while learning about resources for their IEP and 504 meetings, as well as preparing for their careers.

If you'd like to learn more about RTN or be a part of this fantastic network, please contact Carrie Ragsdale at cragsdale@missouriparentsact.org or 1-800-743-7634. Let's support our youth's transition to a successful future together!

How To Be A Good Self-Advocate

As a young adult, learning to speak up for yourself is important as you become an adult. Listen to this episode to hear the Youth Advocates for Change (YAFC) members from the RAISE Center discuss their journey to becoming good self-advocates. During the episode, they’ll talk about things that have worked for them and their families and their challenges as young adult advocates. Check out that podcast episode HERE!

A Guide for People with Disabilities Seeking Employment

The ADA website offers an easy-to-follow Q&A titled, “A Guide for People with Disabilities Seeking Employment.” Families will learn who is protected, how to ask for reasonable accommodations, and much more. Click HERE  

Job Accommodations Network (JAN) JAN’s website offers an elaborate index of possible accommodations categorized by “disability, topic, and limitation. This information is designed to help employers and individuals determine effective accommodations and comply with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).” Click HERE for website.

Dear Colleague Letter Calling for an end to Corporal Punishment in Schools and Guiding Principles on School Discipline

On March 24, 2023, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona issued a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) to governors, chief state school officers, and school district and school leaders urging them to end corporal punishment practices in schools. Secretary Cardona advocated replacing corporal punishment with evidence-based practices, such as multi-tiered systems of support, that create safe and healthy school environments. Read the DCL HERE.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Missouri

Whether you’re in distress or just want to talk about something on your mind, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org anytime you need help. If you are worried about someone else, reach out to 988 and a local, trained crisis specialist at one of Missouri’s 988 centers will help you navigate the situation.

Get free HELP call 988 or Click HERE

Courage2ReportMO

Call Toll Free: 1-866-748-7047

Text "C2R" to 738477

Online Report Form

Courage2ReportMO. The goal is to make schools safer by helping school districts and law enforcement learn about school violence as soon as possible.



Courage2ReportMO takes CONFIDENTIAL reports involving any public or private school in Missouri with students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.



What should be reported?

• Any threat to life that happens on school property or the school bus should be reported to C2R.

VA Benefits for Spouses, Dependents, Survivors, and Family Caregivers

If you are a spouse or dependent child of a veteran or service member, you may qualify for certain benefits. These benefits include health care, life insurance, and even money to help pay for school or training. You may also qualify for added benefits, including help with burial costs and survivor compensation if you are a survivor of a veteran or service member. If caring for a veteran, you may also be eligible for support. Find out which benefits you may qualify for HERE

Understanding the Military Student Identifier & Impact Aid

A lot is asked of military families, and sometimes, a simple form can feel like a violation of privacy. Understanding why information is requested and how it is used – and protected – is critical to ensure resources and benefits reach those intended. MCEC's Parent Webinars recently featured "What is MSI and Impact Aid." This podcast recaptures Nikki's conversation with Lori Phipps and Nanette Pigg, subject matter experts on these two data collectors. Click HERE to listen.

Spring Into IEPs webinar series

Special Education Law

March 18, 2024, 1 pm to 2 pm

Understanding the Evaluation Process

March 19, 2024, 1 pm to 2 pm

Understanding the IEP Process

March 20, 2024, 1 pm to 2 pm

Dispute Resolution Processes

March 21, 2024, 1 pm to 2 pm

The Art of Effective Advocacy

March 22, 2024, 1 pm to 2 pm

Spring Into Data webinar series

Spring Into Data Session 1:

An introduction to becoming a Family Data Leader

March 5, 2024 10am to 11:30am

Spring Into Data Session 2:

Key components of becoming a Family Data Leader

March 12, 2024 10am to 11:30am

Spring Into Data Session 3:

Look, Think, Act: Effectively participating in data

discussions that lead to changes in early childhood programs.

March 19, 2024 10am to11:30am

Spring Into Data Session 4:

Applying your knowledge to real-world data scenarios

March 26, 2024 10am to11:30am

Each of the Spring into Data sessions builds on the previous one.

Participants must attend all 4 sessions to receive a certificate.

Steps to Success Webinar Series

This series of trainings was developed for parents of children, birth to age three. The training series helps parents understand the First Steps Program and teaches them

effective communication and advocacy skills, and helps them prepare for

Early Childhood Special Education.

Click HERE to register for these FREE on-demand trainings.