Back to School Bootcamp Webinar Series | |
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Missouri State Plan for Special Education
The 2023 Missouri State Plan for Special Education was updated and went into effect on July 30, 2023.
For a description of the specific state plan changes click HERE.
In addition, click HERE for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Special Education forms.
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Missouri State Systematic Improvement Plan
Overview of the Missouri State Systematic Improvement Plan (SSIP):
Each component in the Missouri Part C SSIP includes a description of key stakeholders and their role in developing Phase I of the SSIP. Throughout Phase I, the state primarily used three existing stakeholder groups that were already familiar with the Part C program: the State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC); the Early Childhood Outcomes (ECO) work group; and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (the Department) early learning team. Click HERE to learn more.
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Tips for a Successful Back-to-School Transition | |
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Back to Schools Do's and Don'ts
Tips on navigating summer's end, especially for kids who are anxious.
Routines and incentive systems to help kids succeed.
Tools to help kids get organized, focused, and out the door on time.
Back-to-School Checklists from Bookshare
Bookshare is a fantastic resource for students with learning differences who need reading support. Are you a parent that needs to find your child’s schoolbooks in alternative formats? Follow these steps to ensure a smooth back-to-school experience. (Bookshare also offers an attractive poster that Parent Centers, schools, and community organizations can use to tell families about the books available and the benefits to all of registering for Bookshare's services.
Small Steps for Big Vision: An Eye Health Info Tool Kit for Parents and Caregivers
The National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness partnered with the National Head Start Association to create this online resource to provide parents and caregivers with the information, suggested actions, and assistance they need to be empowered partners in their children’s vision and eye health, and to care for their own vision and eye health. Also check out Parents Need to Know , which includes multiple articles in English and in Spanish to help parents and caregivers address children's vision needs (e.g., 10 take home messages; Signs of vision problems in children; Vision and classroom behaviors; and 10 steps from vision screening to eye exam).
Visit the Parent Center Hub
for a wealth of resources for your Parent Center
and the communities you serve.
https://www.parentcenterhub.org/
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News from Our Colleagues in Hawai'i PTI | |
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Rosie Rowe, the Executive Director of the Hawaii PTI:
Aloha Parent Centers,
As you are aware, we experienced the most horrific wildfire in the history of our State, and it is still not over. The town of Lahaina is completely destroyed. The elementary school in that town is burnt down to the ground. At last report, there are still 2-3 other wildfires burning out of control that were fueled by high winds. First responders are overwhelmed by the casualties and trying to find missing people.
The response from the country has been overwhelming. We appreciate all the help. Currently, because the island of Maui is inundated with responses of food, clothing and some people are being flown to Oahu to find shelter, we are assisting our families known to Hawaii PTI to help locate family members. We did have a missing mom and her son with autism lost in the fire in Lahaina, but she made it to a shelter and is safe. In addition, we have a provider we are partnering with to send much-needed concrete supports for displaced families. Find out how you can help by clicking HERE.
To contact Rosie, to find out how you can help, email rrowe@ldahawaii.org
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Equal Opportunities for Children with Disabilities | |
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Last month, the Department's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) gave new instructions to make sure that babies, young kids, and children with disabilities and their families are treated fairly and kept safe under a law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The instructions and a letter to colleagues explain a rule in IDEA called "general supervision." This rule says that states have to watch over local schools (LEAs) and early help programs (EIS) for kids with disabilities. OSEP noticed that some changes were needed to help states do this better. The new instructions focus on making sure kids get better at school, do well in their activities, and follow the rules of the program.
I suggest using this as the newsletter blurb with a link to the OSEP page and point out the “Dear Colleague” letter. Good information to share about DESE’s responsibility and breaking it down for parents is not a bad idea.
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NEW! Statewide Phone Line is Live We are excited to announce the launch of a new statewide phone number for early care and education resources and referrals: 866-583-2392.
This number was the statewide phone number for First Steps early intervention and is being repurposed to add more options for resources and referrals.
First Steps calls will continue to route to their regional offices or System Point Of Entry. The child care search and resources calls coming in to this number will route to the United 4 Children call center. Families will also be able to make video calls, text, and live chat with this call center.
Now families and professionals can call one phone number to get help finding resources, child care, First Steps, and other early childhood programs and services.
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Are you ready to be part of something GREAT?
The Missouri Early Childhood State Advisory Council (ECSAC) is looking for volunteers!
ECSAC is looking for individuals who are passionate about:
- Improving the lives of Missouri’s youngest citizens;
- Partnering with the Office of Childhood to Expand Access to High-Quality Programs and Services, Improve the Quality of Programs and Services, Strengthen Community Leadership, Modernize Systems, Improve Operations; and
- Recruiting, retaining, and supporting an effective childhood workforce
Current vacancies on the ECSAC include:
- Four parents of children with disabilities age twelve or younger, with knowledge of, or experience with, programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities. One of those parents must be a parent of a child with a disability age six or younger
- One representative of a local educational agency in Missouri.
- One early care and education provider.
If this describes you and your role, Apply Now to serve on the ECSAC.
Visit these resources for more information about the ECSAC:
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Eligibility Under Section
Children with disabilities may be eligible for special education and related services under Section 504. That’s because Section 504’s definition of disability is broader than the IDEA’s definition. To be protected under Section 504, a student must be determined to:
• have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; or
• have a record of such an impairment; or
• be regarded as having such an impairment.
Section 504 requires that school districts provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to qualified students in their jurisdictions who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability. Under Section 504, FAPE means providing regular or special education and related aids and services designed to meet the student’s individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of nondisabled students are met. Read more about Section 504 at Parent Center Hub HERE
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School Liaison Officers and Military Families
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Whiteman AFB School Liaison Officer Website information. The School Liaison is available to assist military families with questions or issues related to Kindergarten through 12th grade schooling options, whether that be public, private, or home schooling. Military children often face unique challenges when transitioning to new schools, and the School Liaison is here to identify barriers to academic success, develop solutions, provide parents with the tools needed to overcome educational obstacles, and establish partnerships with local school districts that serve military students.
Additional resources:
Whiteman Air Force Base
Department of Defense School Liaison Program
Fort Leonard Wood School Liaison Officer
For those seeking more information, please get in touch with the Whiteman AFB School Liaison Officer, Ms. Janice Scott, 660-687-7664. The School Liaison office is located at the Military & Family Readiness Center, Building 527/Room 127, Whiteman AFB, MO 65305.
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High School Transition to Adult Life | |
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What's Next In Your Future?
If you need assistance with organizing your files in preparation for your transition to adulthood, we recommend using the Moving From High School to Adulthood: Record Keeping Tracker. This folder is designed to help you keep track of, record, and store all the necessary documents related to your journey towards adulthood. If you're interested in ordering, please send an email to PACER@Pacer.org. Click HERE to access more resources to keep you organized.
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Become an Educational Surrogate | |
What is an 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. Click HERE to be directed to DESE's website to learn more. You can also watch a video about the program. | |
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Disability Employment Awareness Month Poster Contest | |
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All Missouri residents are invited to showcase their artistic talents by submitting original artwork. The winning poster will be featured on the GCD’s 2023 poster
celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).
National Disability Employment Awareness Month is celebrated nationwide each October to celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities and raise awareness about the value of an inclusive workforce.
Find out how you can participate at disability.mo.gov/gcd/PosterContest
Posters must be submitted by September 15. The contest is open to all Missourians. Poster themes for your artwork should be Inclusion, Employment and/or Community. Questions? Call 573.751.2600
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Upcoming MPACT Webinars
Click on the links below to register
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In Person MPACT Training
Click on the links below to register
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Positive Behavior Interventions: Challenging the School to Prison Pipeline
August 30 @ 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Location: 4025 South Ward Avenue Caruthersville, MO 63830
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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, Join MPACT Today! | |
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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 © 2023 MPACT. All rights reserved
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