MPACT offices are closed Friday, November 10th

Veterans Day is a time for us to pay our respects to those who have served. For one day, we stand united in respect for you, our veterans.

What do you need to know about celebrating Veterans Day? Here’s some more information in this article featured on military.com titled Veterans Day 2023

SIKESTON, Mo. (KBSI) – A non-profit program made a visit to southeast Missouri to focus on providing special education training, information, and support to at-risk youth.

Missouri Parents Act held training courses to inspire families and youth to advocate for their educational rights. Watch the video HERE

November is National Veterans and Military Families Month

Use the information highlighted in this downloadable fact sheet to help you celebrate the strengths of military families and their contributions to the military community and our nation.

Fun Activities to do with your kids on Veterans Day

In a featured fantasticfunandlearning.com article by Shaunna Evans, Veterans Day is an opportunity to honor and give thanks to those who have served or are serving in the military. Click HERE for some Veterans Day activities, teaching resources, and even some free printables.

Check out these great reading resources and activities from the Center for Parent Information Services, also known as CPIR

Little Listeners in an Uncertain World 

Click HERE for information

Moving to a New Location 

Click HERE for information

November is Youth Homeless Awareness Month

November was first declared as National Homeless Youth Awareness Month in 2007. Since then, November has been a time to acknowledge those children and families experiencing homelessness.

As many as 2.5 million youth per year experience homelessness. Along with losing their home, community, friends, and routines, as well as their sense of stability and safety, many homeless youth are also victims of trauma. While trying to survive on the streets, youth are exposed to countless dangers, with an increased likelihood of substance abuse, early parenthood, impulsivity, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and a vulnerability to being trafficked.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has compiled a list of helpful resources for parents and caregivers, children and teens, mental health providers, child welfare workers, juvenile justice professionals, and policymakers.

Click HERE to read more

November is National Caregivers Month

Here at MPACT, we know many of our families are caregiving for a child or loved one with a disability. This month, we honor you. For resources to help on your caregiving journey, visit: 

Family Caregiver information HERE , Disability and Health HERE, 

Caregiving Resources HERE

Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) are print and technology-based educational materials, including print and electronic textbooks and related core materials and technologies that are designed or enhanced in a way that makes them usable across the widest range of learner variability, regardless of format (e.g. print, digital, graphic, audio, video) or features. People with disabilities may experience barriers to the use of printed materials, digital materials, and technologies. Examples where barriers might occur include textbooks, digital documents, websites, apps, learning delivery systems, and electronic devices. Learn more HERE

OSEP Policy Support 22-02: This letter and list of resources provide guidance and describe several important principles that states, school districts, school staff, parents, families, and others may find helpful in ensuring that highly mobile children with disabilities receive required special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs in a timely manner.

Read the letter HERE

Get your Family Toolkit: A guide to Pediatric to Adulthood Healthcare Transition HERE

Click HERE for additional family resources from the Southeast Community Leader Program

FACTS about Homebound Services

My child’s placement has been changed to Homebound by the IEP Team. I was told he could only receive 5 hours of homebound instruction per week. Is this correct?

Students are entitled to receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) that allows them to make progress toward the general education curriculum as well as progress toward meeting their IEP goals. A student with a disability who receives at least 5 hours of instruction per week can be counted for full attendance for funding purposes, but the amount of instruction a student receives is an IEP Team decision.

A student was placed on homebound but the district doesn’t have anyone available to provide services and states that it may take weeks, what happens in the meantime?

If the district experiences a delay in providing the homebound instructor, the district shall develop a plan to provide instruction and ensure the delay does not hinder progress. For students with IEPs, if there is any delay in the initiation of services or any interruption in the services, the IEP team must meet and determine whether compensatory services for the student are warranted due to the delay or interruption in service. (IDEA Federal Regulations 300.323 (2).

Read more about homebound services HERE 

Monday November 27th

11am -12:30 pm

Understanding the IEP Process

Tuesday, November 28th

11 am - 12:30 pm

Special Education:

What You Need to Know

Wednesday, November 29th

11 am - 12:30 pm

Disagreement Resolution

Thursday, November 30th

11 am - 12:30 pm

The Art of Effective Advocacy

View all upcoming MPACT trainings HERE.

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