It's back...it's live...and it's IN PERSON (or virtually, if you prefer!) The 2022 Forum for Excellence will be held on September 22 - 23, 2022 in Bloomington/Normal. The committee is planning to hold this event in-person, paired with virtual components for those who prefer to attend online. Please know the safety of our attendees is our top priority, and we will continue to monitor our environment to ensure a healthy and safe conference for all attendees.

There's no better time than Autism Awareness Month to focus on the services and resources available to those helping people with autism get into the workforce. According to a 2021 Forbes magazine article, while many major employers have launched autism employment initiatives over the past five years, those programs impact a very small percentage of the U.S. adults with autism (2.2 percent of the overall US adult population, according to the CDC.) Surprisingly, universities, major nonprofits, and foundations all trail the private sector in this mission where one might argue, they should be leading.

The U.S. Department of Labor provides many resources for employers, individuals, service providers, and policymakers who are in a position to support those with autism who are seeking employment or are already employed. There are also several resources directed at youth, and those working with teens and young adults.

You can also find resources by visiting the ATTA website to view resources, videos, and documents.

April 2022 is the 35th anniversary of the "Month of the Military Child." Month of the Military Child was established in 1986 by former Defense Secretary Casper Weinberger, to help underscore the important role military children play in the armed forces community. The Department of Defense Education Activity office has over 50 great ideas how individuals, schools, and organizations can honor students who have a parent or other relative in the military.

Need some ideas to help you support military-involved students in your programs? ICSPS has two great resources just for you! Strategies to Support Students With a Parent in the Military outlines possible challenges these students might have, as well as strategies that will help them thrive in your programs. If you're finding recruiting and retaining military-connected students a challenge, download the 2-page Supporting Youth with Parents in Active Armed Forces for even more ideas.

NAPE is happy to announce that registration for the National Summit for Educational Equity on April 25-28, 2022 is now open!

The summit brings together administrators, teachers/instructors, counselors, and educational leaders to focus on the individual, institutional, and systems-level work that are required to identify and remove barriers to access and opportunity; foster equitable learning environments; and increase and support pathways to an equitable workforce.

The NAPE Summit recently previewed more of the 48 breakout sessions attendees can choose from:

Hello From the Other Side - The Pandemic as a Portal to an Equitable Workforce - promoting STEM & CTE

Building Bocks for Successful Transition Services in Rural Communities - Students with Disabilities - community and employer partnerships

Just Gender: Pathways to Inclusivity in Education - equitable learning environments

Working as One to Leverage Student Voices - leading change

Learn more about the National Summit for Education Equity and register here.

Journalist Eric Garcia began writing about autism because he was frustrated by the media's coverage of it and realized he needed to put into writing what so many autistic people have been saying for years: autism is a part of their identity; they don't need to be fixed. Garcia uses his own life to explore how autistic people wrestle with systems that were not built with them in mind, and gives his community a platform to articulate their own needs, rather than having others speak for them.

April 12, 2022 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Learn more about this webinar and register here.

__________________________________________________________________________

May 10, 2022 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Learn more about this webinar and register here.

For more postsecondary resources for students with autism, click here.

__________________________________________________________________________

June 14, 2022 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Learn more about this webinar and register here.

For more resources on people with autism in the workplace, click here.

__________________________________________________________________________

July 12, 2022 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Learn more about this webinar and register here.

Incidences of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges increasingly impact our communities, including those in postsecondary settings. We know this directly affects learning. While instructors are not expected to be mental health professionals, they can certainly increase efficacy as professionals that are knowledgeable about mental health. Join us as we overview concerns that impact both learners and instructors while deepening our understanding of both risk and protective factors.

April 21, 2022 - 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Learn more about this webinar and register here.

__________________________________________________________________________

 As we adjust to “a new normal” in the wake of a pandemic, economic strains, and shifting personal responsibilities, we are reminded that what we continue to live through is not “normal.” Early evidence indicates how current realities are impacting the mental health of both learners and instructors. Join us to learn more and connect with peers about what you are observing… you are not alone! With a focus on individual and collective strengths, we will begin to explore classroom practices that can help.

Learn more about this webinar and register here.

__________________________________________________________________________

Mental health is an inextricable component of any learning situation. Fortunately, learners can tap their inner resilience with support from informed instructors who bolster mental health by doing what they do best: building skills and knowledge. Join us as we examine instructional practices to support the personal competency-building of both instructors and learners. We will promote health and wellness with considerations that go beyond a simple prescription of self-care.

Session 3: Instructional Practices to Help Cope with Anxiety and Increase Learning

Learn more about this webinar and register here.

The Illinois Collaboration on Youth (ICOY) recently presented a six-part series that focused on various aspects of trauma. If you missed any or all of the sessions, they were recorded and you can view them here.