March 7, 2025

IEP Team Members

When your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), a team of people will work together to create and support the plan. The law says that certain people must be part of the IEP Team. This includes you, the parent, because you know your child best. The team will also have at least one of your child’s regular education teachers if your child spends time in a regular classroom. A special education teacher or provider will be there, too. A school representative, like a principal or special education director, will also be on the team. Someone who can explain testing results will attend, and you can invite other people who understand your child’s needs.

The school will send you an invitation to the IEP meeting. This invitation will list the names or roles of the people who will be there. Parents are important members of the team and can invite others, such as a family friend, an advocate, or a therapist who works with their child. When you receive the invitation, look at the list of people invited. If you think someone else should be there, like your child’s aide, let the school know. You should also confirm that you will attend the meeting. While it is not required, it is a good idea to tell the school who you are bringing. The IEP meeting should include all the right people to make sure your child gets the support they need. If someone cannot attend, the meeting may need to be rescheduled.

A regular education teacher is an important part of the IEP Team if your child will spend any time in a regular classroom. This teacher helps decide what support and services will help your child succeed. If your child will be in regular classes even for part of the day, the IEP Team must include a regular education teacher. Parents should attend every IEP meeting and work with the team to make the best plan for their child. By working together, parents and school staff can help children do their best in school.

If you have questions about who should attend your child's IEP team meeting, contact South Dakota Parent Connection by phone (800) 640-4553 or email sdpc@sdparent.org to talk to an Outreach Specialist.

You can also learn more about this topic and more in the book co-authored by South Dakota Parent Connection, What Parents Should Know...About Special Education in South Dakota.

Transition Summer Institute

This program is designed to provide information that will help students with disabilities, nearing the end of high school, prepare for the transition into adulthood by providing them with focused training and experiences in areas like independent living, employment skills, social skills, and navigating post-secondary education options.

Speakers

• Keynote Speaker: Sara Hento, a lawyer who helps schools, will talk about education law.
• Featured Speakers:
• Matthew Schwab, who has Down syndrome, will talk about jobs for people with disabilities.
• Jessie Taken Alive-Rencountre, a Lakota school counselor, will share Lakota stories and culture.

Breakout Sessions

Teachers and school staff can join sessions on topics like behavior management, career awareness, and Lakota values. Attendees may earn education credits, and breakfast and lunch are included.

The Summer Institute 2025 is a special event happening on July 8-9, 2025, at Arrowwood Resort in Oacoma. Each day, the event runs from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., and the registration fee is $125.00.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick’s Day is all about luck, but real luck isn’t just about four-leaf clovers—it’s about finding the right support when you need it. That’s where South Dakota Parent Connection comes in!

Raising a child with unique challenges can feel overwhelming, but South Dakota Parent Connection offers guidance, resources, and a community to lean on. From one-on-one support to workshops, we help parents navigate services and challenges with confidence. True luck is about finding the right opportunities, and we help connect families with experts, support groups, and essential tools—no chasing rainbows required!

If you or someone you know could use a little extra support, reaching out might be the luckiest move you make! Contact South Dakota Parent Connection today and talk to one of our experienced Outreach Specialists.

Upcoming Events

Here are some events hosted by South Dakota Parent Connection as well as events we will be participating in. These opportunities provide valuable information, resources, and support for families across the state. Whether we are leading a workshop or collaborating with partners, our goal is to connect families with the tools and knowledge they need. Stay updated on all upcoming events by visiting our website or following us on Facebook.

March 18 & 19, 2025: South Dakota Special Education Conference: Dr. Carla Miller, South Dakota Parent Connection Executive Director, will be presenting Information Sharing: Right Time, Right Place, Right Way. The annual Special Education Conference provides a unique experience to gather with South Dakota educators, related service providers, and parents.

March 25, 2025: Community Health & Wellness Fair: Come visit with South Dakota Parent Connection staff and the other community vendors at this event offered by the Sioux Falls School District.

April 2 & 3, 2025: National Association of Social Workers Annual Conference: This event is the largest meeting of Social Workers in South Dakota! If you are planning to attend, don't miss our very own Lisa Sanderson's presentations and information booth.

April 10 & 11, 2025: South Dakota Early Childhood Education Conference: South Dakota Head Start Association and South Dakota Association for the Education of Young Children have partnered to bring professional development to South Dakota's early childhood education professionals. This year, stop by the South Dakota Parent Connection information booth or join the presentation by our staff, Lisa Sanderson and Kris Sellers.

April 23 & 24, 2025: Annual South Dakota Community Health Workers Conference: Join the CHWSD for a two-day conference in Mitchell to support the CHW and CHR workforce in South Dakota. South Dakota Parent Connection will be presenting a session for those in attendance as well as providing information at our booth at this conference.

This e-publication was developed under grants from the U.S. Department of Education Project Grant H328M2000666 and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Grant H328M140021, Family to Family Health Information Center, $96,750; and approximately 5% financed with non-governmental resources. The contents should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by U.S. Department of Education, HRSA, HHS, or the Federal Government.