Parent Contact update

September 2023

Welcome New Parent Contacts!

Over the last month, the Early Intervention Parent Leadership Project (EIPLP) has been excited to connect with a number of new Parent Contacts. We are so glad to welcome you all here!

If you are looking for ways to get involved in the EI system beyond your own services- this is a great start! As a Parent Contact for your EI program, you are the first to find out about the opportunities we share with families. Using and sharing your own experiences in EI, helps make the EI system (and other systems of care for young children and families) better for all families.

You will receive updates like this every month, along with other information about opportunities for families in your email (so if the best way to reach you changes, please let us know). If you are looking for a way to connect with other Parent Contacts, and you are on Facebook, we have a private group just for you! If you'd like to join this group, you can request to join it here.

We are here to support you on your journey in any way that we can. Please don't hesitate to reach out to EIPLP@mass.gov with any questions, comments, concerns, ideas, or to say "hi!".

All EIPLP staff are the parents of children who have gone through EI here in Massachusetts.

Resources & Opportunities

Early Autumn Training Opportunities for Families

There are a variety of trainings being offered to families during September and October. All of these are free to attend. You are encouraged to sign up for any and all trainings that you are interested in. Please help us spread the word about these trainings with other families! We will let you know as more trainings are added.

Turning Three Essentials presented by the Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) is a great resource for families that have begun thinking about transitioning from EI.

This free virtual workshop includes the differences between EI & special education, special education eligibility, the evaluation process, timelines, preparing for meeting with the IEP team, and so much more. We've heard time and time again from families that this training really helped them better understand the process and what to expect. Join us at one of the upcoming dates in September, being offered in English and Spanish. Registration is required to get the link- use the buttons below to register.

Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention & Autism Waiver Resources will be presented on Friday, September 22 from 1:00-3:00 pm by the Insurance Resource Center for Autism and Behavioral Health and will help families understand the requirements for accessing and maintaining Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) services and provide valuable information about the Autism Waiver Program. This is a virtual session. Use the button below to register.

Understanding SSI & Public Benefits can feel confusing and overwhelming trying to navigate. Lisa Sheehy, who is a public benefits specialist from the Department of Public Health, will join us to help simplify the process and learn about benefits that may be available to your family and how to access them! This training will be held virtually on Friday, October 13th, from 1:00-3:00 pm. Advance registration is required using the button below.

Turning Three Essentials - Friday, September 8th from 1-3 pm in ENGLISH

Turning Three Essentials - Thursday, September 14th from 1-3 in SPANISH

EIBI & Autism Waiver Resources - September, 22nd from 1-3 pm

Understanding SSI & Public Benefits - Friday October, 13 from 1-3 pm

September is Emergency Preparedness Month

The MA Department of Public Health has lots of resources to help you plan and prepare for emergencies. Check out some of these!

Emergency Preparedness Checklists- so you are ready if and when you need it
Safety Tips for Specific Events- including different natural disasters, man made threats, and public health emergencies
Emergency Preparedness Planning for People who Need Extra Help- including resources specific to people with disabilities, with considerations, checklists, and videos
Emergency Preparedness Planning for Your Pet- because if you go, they go

CALL TO ACTION:

Take the Community Health Equity Survey

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is committed to better serving communities that experience barriers to health.

The Community Health Equity Survey was developed in collaboration with community members and partners across the state and reflects the priorities and experiences of Massachusetts residents. The information you share will help DPH and community partners determine how best to allocate funding, improve programming, and develop policies to address health inequities.

DPH specifically seeks to hear from communities who have been impacted by health inequities.

You can take the survey online with a computer, phone or tablet.
It will take around 15-30 minutes to complete.
You can choose to complete the survey in Arabic, Cape Verdean Creole, Chinese (simplified or traditional), English, Haitian Creole, Khmer, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Those who are deaf or hard of hearing can also take the survey in American Sign Language later this summer.
All survey responses are anonymous and cannot be traced back to you.

You can make an impact by taking the survey here and sharing information about it with your networks.