Chapter President "Back of the Envelope" Pediatrician Poll

Chapter President, Dr. Mary Beth Miotto, asks a monthly question to get the pulse of our MCAAP members and respond with appropriate activities or resources. 

Below in green is the November question link. Please feel free to forward the questions to other member and non-member colleagues. 

Here is background for the November question:

Just under one in four children in the Commonwealth are absent from school about 20 days each year. That "chronic absentee" number rose significantly during the pandemic and has not decreased much. It is not only an issue in economically disadvantaged school districts; it's statewide. We also know that chronically absent students are less likely to read on grade level by third grade, more likely to score lower on standardized tests and get suspended in middle school. By ninth grade, chronic absenteeism is a better indicator of dropping out of high school than eighth-grade test scores.

Please take a moment to complete the most

recent poll about chronic absenteeism.

Click here to complete the poll.

Past "Back of Envelope" Polls

In August, I asked you about your experiences with referrals and communication with Early Intervention agencies. The next week, I was able to share your responses with the State Director of Early Intervention services and we have been building a strong relationship between the division and our chapter and an invitation has been extended for the director to speak at one of our Monday "Lunch Bunch" virtual office hours which are held at 12:30 every other week.

In September, I asked about your involvement with assisting families with their requests for TEAM assessments for IEP/504 services. I was so impressed that 80% of respondents help families review IEPs and 504 plans and over 60% refer parents to advocacy services that support their negotiations with school districts. About 30% of respondents would like to learn more about how to better assist families with IDEA Part B services (IEPs) and Section 504 Plans and we will integrate a number of Monday learning sessions on specific ways to help families on learning plans in the upcoming months.

These will also be posted on the MCAAP website. I would love some "guests" who are actively working with either Early Intervention or on IEPs with their families, so please drop me a line at MAdocforkids@gmail.com with any feedback or to volunteer to come share your experiences with Chapter members.

Did you know?

All Boston Public Schools families, with or without a Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN), can get reimbursed by BPS for transportation special ed expenses.

-From MassAdvocates.org (Massachusetts Advocates for Children)

MCAAP Communications

Chapter leadership has piloted a number of new communications plans to engage you as members and this monthly question is one of them. Please reach out to me or our Executive Director Cathleen Haggerty at chaggerty@mcaap.org to give us feedback on this program, the new website, educational opportunities, or other member benefits.

Also, we would really love to hear from nonmembers about their thoughts and what our Chapter could do better to serve them. Please share these emails with members and nonmember pediatricians you know and encourage them to get in touch with us.