Memorial Day Announcement | | |
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MPACT offices are closed on Monday, May 29th, and will return to normal operations on
Tuesday, May 30th.
We remember and honor all military members who have served and currently serve.
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Even after your child graduates, MPACT services are still available to both you and your child until they turn 26. We understand that transitioning can be challenging, but we can assist you in finding helpful resources and connections to make the path toward independence a bit easier.
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Resources from MPACT about High School Transition:
Transition is a formal process that includes short- and long-range planning to assist students with disabilities to ensure successful shifting from school into adult life. It is about planning for adult life and can include work, higher education, independent living skills, and recreational activities.
MPACT provides tools that help parents and students understand their rights under special education law and help families become advocates for their children with disabilities.
Factsheet for Parents:
Parenting Tips on Transition from High School
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MPACT video about transitions to adulthood | |
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The Missouri Graduation Handbook is to inform students, parents, and residents about Missouri’s requirements for earning a high school diploma.
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Resources for life after High School | |
Plan your career at jobs.mo.gov where you can plan and explore careers, research wages and trends, and complete self-assessments. | |
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Missouri Statewide Independent Living Council (MOSILC) envisions a Missouri in which people with disabilities live safely in the environment of their choice, are valued equally, and participate fully. MOSILC advances independent living and the rights (civil and human) of people with disabilities, demanding consumer empowerment, control, equal access, and full integration. Find your Center for Independent Living HERE
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The National Resources for Advocacy, Independence, Self
-determination and Employment (RAISE) Technical Assistance Center works with the eight (8) Rehabilitation Service Administration (RSA)-funded Parent Training & Information Centers to develop and disseminate information and resources that increase their capacity to serve youth and young adults with disabilities and their families. See how RAISE can help your family HERE.
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The U.S. Department of Education urges High School Seniors to complete the FAFSA® today! As students and families prepare for education post-high school, finances and costs are serious considerations. The impact of the COVID-19 emergency makes decisions about higher education even harder.
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is the first step students and families can take to access federal dollars for college or career school. Federal Student Aid reports a decline in the number of high school seniors who have submitted the 2021–22 FAFSA form. States have limited funds, so it’s important for students and families to know their state’s deadline and submit the FAFSA form as early as possible.
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Military Family Resources | | |
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At MPACT, we deeply appreciate the sacrifices made by our military personnel and extend our heartfelt thanks to them. We understand that military families encounter various challenges, and we are here to offer our support. You can find more information on how MPACT can help by clicking on the link included HERE. Additionally, you can refer to our factsheet HERE for more resources available to military families. | |
Scholarships for Military Families | | |
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With graduation fast approaching, you may still be able to secure some scholarships as a military family member. Click HERE for more information and resources.
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With summertime comes PCS season, which means military families may be moving to a new duty station. Adjusting to a new town can make it difficult to enjoy the rest of the summer, so HERE are some helpful tips to make the most of the season.
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View available Missouri Mental Health resources, including helpful links, helplines, and general information HERE
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According to the CDC, mental health in childhood means reaching developmental and emotional milestones and learning healthy social skills, and how to cope when there are problems. Click on the links to access material about mental health in childhood in English and Español (Spanish).
Click HERE to view the Children’s Mental Health Disorders – A Journey for Parents and Children video.
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What is SOC-CESS? SOC-CESS stands for Systems of Care - Community for Early Signs and Symptoms. SOC-CESS is a Missouri state-wide program for youth ages 9-17 and their families. SOC-CESS provides resources and early screening and identification for youth who are potentially at risk for experiencing psychosis and displaying early signs and symptoms. Click HERE to learn more about this resource from the Missouri Department of Mental Health.
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If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, you are not alone. There are many supports, services, and treatment options that may help. Browse NAMI's various resources, including mental health education, a 24/7 helpline, support groups, video resource library, and more HERE
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Under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), every LEA is required to provide ESY services to any student who needs ESY services for FAPE. ESY services include special education services and related services. ESY services are not limited to addressing academic concerns. ESY services can also address physical, social, emotional and behavioral needs of students.
LEAs may not limit ESY services to a certain time period (ie 3 weeks in June, or only over summer break) when the student would not benefit from services during the planned period but would benefit from services during a different time period or for an additional amount of time beyond the planned period. Nor may they limit ESY services to only certain groups of students. Read more HERE Watch MPACT's video on Extended School Year.
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Click HERE to view the full SOP infographic | |
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First Steps and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Services for Children with Summer Third Birthdays:
A child in First Steps with a summer third birthday may continue First Steps after age three if eligibility for Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) is in process. What does “in process” mean?
Answer: Eligibility “in process” is defined as the child has been referred to the school district and the Service Coordinator confirmed someone at the school received the referral and the initial evaluation timeline for ECSE has started. Read more about First Steps and ECSE Services for Children with summer third birthdays HERE
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Watch this video on First Steps Summer Third Birthdays.
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Parents as Teachers Founded in Missouri | |
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With funding from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and The Danforth Foundation, Parents as Teachers (PAT) began in 1981 in Missouri as a pilot project for first-time parents of newborns. Recognizing the program’s benefits and cost-effectiveness, the Missouri legislature provided state funding in 1985 to implement PAT programs in all Missouri school districts.
The PAT model is a unique combination of research, education and empowerment. In practice, methods are proven to help caregivers connect with their child’s early development and build a lifetime foundation for academic success. Read more about PAT HERE. Find a PAT program in your area by clicking the image below.
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Manifestation Determination in School Discipline
At specific times, and for certain violations of the student code of conduct, IDEA’s discipline procedures require school systems to conduct what is known as a “manifestation determination review.” The purpose of this review is to determine whether or not the child’s behavior that led to the disciplinary infraction is linked to his or her disability.
When is a Manifestation Determination Review Necessary?
Under §300.530(e), a manifestation determination must occur within 10 days of any decision to change the child’s placement because of a violation of a code of student conduct.
Who is Involved?
The LEA, the parent, and relevant members of the IEP team (as determined by the parent and the LEA) are involved in conducting the review. Their purpose is to determine:
(i) If the conduct in question was caused by, or had a direct and substantial relationship to, the child’s disability; or
(ii) If the conduct in question was the direct result of the LEA’s failure to implement the IEP.
Read more about Manifestation Determinations at Parent Center Hub HERE.
Check out these MPACT Fact Sheets
Parent Guide to Due Process
Parent Guide to Mediation
Safe Schools Act
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Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP) | |
Connecting Youth to Summer Employment | | |
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"Erik Carter, professor of special education at Vanderbilt University, provides practical strategies for connecting youth with significant disabilities to summer employment."
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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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The 19th Annual Missouri Youth Leadership Forum
(MO-YLF) will be held July 18-22, 2023
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The Missouri Youth Leadership Forum is a unique career leadership-training program for high school students with disabilities, ages 16 – 21. Youth delegates are selected from their local communities to cultivate leadership, citizenship, social, and career development skills at this summer program.
For information and application for the Virtual Leadership Forum, click HERE.
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Museums for All, a partnership between IMLS and the Association of Children’s Museums, encourages low-income families to visit museums and build lifelong museum habits. Participating museums offer free or greatly reduced admission fees year round to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Electronic Benefit Transfer cardholders. By promoting affordable museum experiences, the program bolsters the role of museums as community anchors. To learn more click HERE.
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Upcoming MPACT Webinars
Click on the links below to register
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Understanding the IEP process
June 6 @ 12:00 - 1:30 PM
Location: Compass Health Network 913 South Pershing Street Salem, MO 65560
How to Write Measurable Annual Goals
June 15 @ 12:00 - 2:00 PM
Location: 675 E Mt Vernon Blvd, Mount Vernon, MO 65712
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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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