Each February, Black History Month pays tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society. It is not too early to begin celebrating and teaching your child about the Black leaders of yesterday and today! For videos, books, and to explore Black History through art from PBSkids click HERE.

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society. Click HERE to access the website.

Life is full of transitions, and one of the more remarkable ones occurs when we get ready to leave high school and go out in the world as young adults. STELLAR (Supporting Transition to Engaged Lives by Linking Agency Resources) project aims to empower transition-age youth (14-26) with disabilities and their families by providing information and training. This initiative introduces innovative approaches, such as Transition Mentors offering direct assistance on transition issues and Statewide Region Transition Networks (RTN) delivering ongoing training and information. The project focuses on key strategies like career-focused training, inclusion of self-advocacy skills, and collaboration with employers to provide meaningful job placement experiences for youth with disabilities, ensuring a smoother transition to adult life.

A Regional Transition Network (RTN) is a local group of community stakeholders focused on improving employment and independent living options for youth with disabilities. Comprising MPACT Transition Mentors, individuals with disabilities, VR Counselors, CIL staff, and potentially business and school representatives, RTNs identify effective practices, address barriers, create action plans, and disseminate valuable information to support the successful transition of youth with disabilities into employment and independent living. Contact MPACT to learn more at 1-800-743-7634 or info@missouriparentsacts.org

Missouri Graduation Handbook

Ensure your student's successful graduation by familiarizing yourself with the Missouri Graduation Toolkit. It outlines state requirements, including the Individual Career and Academic Plan, necessary credits, assessments, and guidance on various scenarios such as transfers or alternative learning opportunities, helping your child prepare for their postsecondary goals. Click HERE

MO Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Youth Services helps students and youth with disabilities prepare for their future. VR works with youth, teachers, parents, or other family members to plan for the next phase of life, hoping to achieve employment goals and fulfill their dreams. Click HERE to learn more or HERE for a short video introducing VR Youth Services.

University of Missouri - College of Education (MU Pre-ETS) provides valuable, free pre-employment transition services for Missouri high school students with disabilities aged 16-21 (or as young as 14 if specified in the student’s IEP). These services are crafted to positively influence students at an earlier stage, fostering improved coordination, communication, and collaboration during their high school transition and ultimately leading to more successful post-school outcomes. Connect with a MU Pre-ETS specialist in your area. Click HERE

Missouri Centers for Independent Living (CIL) supports people with disabilities by providing practical help and empowering them with meaningful choices in their care. These centers throughout the state collaborate with individuals, identifying their needs and offering services to assist them in achieving their goals. Click HERE to find a CIL near you.

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

Missouri Connections is a comprehensive, online, career development and planning program that is provided free of charge to all Missouri citizens. Click HERE to find out more about Missouri Connections. Click HERE to learn more about how K-12 students can learn about themselves, their options, and how to create a plan to make career dreams a reality.

Self-determination is about youth with disabilities taking control of their lives. The I'm Determined Project offers resources for youth, families, and educators around self-determination. Click HERE for resources, videos, a transition guide, downloadable brochures, and more. Funded by the VA Department of Education.

Got Transition® is the national resource center on healthcare transition (HCT). Its aim is to improve the transition from pediatric to adult health care through the use of evidence-driven strategies for clinicians and other health care professionals; public health programs; payers and plans; youth and young adults; and parents and caregivers.

To learn more, click HERE

"First Steps has been such an amazing thing for our family. They have helped me find resources, guided me in the right direction, and given comfort and advice when needed...One of the big challenges with Walker is when we try to leave the house and go to appointments or run errands; Walker elopes as soon as he sees open space. Our coordinator got in touch with the most amazing blessing and was able to get us funding for a wagon to help transport Walker from the car to the building. We are just so thankful for everything First Steps has done for us".

Click HERE to read Walker's First Steps story and to share your story with us.

CADRE developed the following four Family Guides and the Quick Comparison Chart with the support of OSEP and Parent Leaders from across the country

These four family guides are designed to explain the dispute resolution options under Part C of the IDEA: mediation, written state complaints and the due process complaint and hearing procedures specific to families with infants or toddlers with disabilities (Birth through Age 2). These guides have been translated into the following languages other than English: Spanish, Arabic, Korean, Russian, Simplified Chinese, and Vietnamese.  Click the pictures below to watch the videos.

Creating and Sustaining Discipline Policies That Support Students’ Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Academic Well-Being and Success: Strategies for School and District Leaders

This fact sheet discusses approaches to creating effective, evidence-based school discipline policies with a focus on responsive rather than punishment-based discipline practices. The fact sheet includes steps and resources to help school administrators and leaders examine the rationale driving existing discipline policies and to include students and community members in the conversation to develop revised approaches. Click the photo to view the fact sheet.

MO DESE Educational Surrogate

An Educational Surrogate is an impartial individual who fills the role of parent for a student with a disability whenever decisions are being made about the student’s educational placement and individualized education program (IEP) when there is no natural parent or other adult authorized to make educational decisions on behalf of the student. 

Information regarding how to apply to be an Educational Surrogate HERE

Educational Surrogate Q&A HERE

How to Become an Educational Surrogate Video HERE 

The Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE) presents The Working Together Series which includes five interactive self-directed courses. These courses provide families and educators with a number of strategies for working together and through conflict. Click HERE

Military OneSource from the Department of Defense is your 24/7 gateway to trusted information, resources, and confidential help. When MilLife happens, it’s your “first line of support” — giving service members and military families tools to stay well and thrive. Click HERE for more information.

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.

Graduation Requirements

February 6, 2024, 6 pm to 7 pm

Solving the Employment Puzzle

February 13, 2023, 6 pm to 7 pm

Writing Post-Secondary Goals

February 20, 2024, 6 pm to7 pm

IDEA Transition Requirements

February 27, 2024, 6 pm to 7 pm

Understanding the IEP Process

February 27, 2024, 10 am to 12 pm

The St. Louis Arc

1177 N Warson St Louis, MO 63132

View all upcoming MPACT training HERE

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.