Weekly Happenings
May 6, 2024
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- Youth & Young Adults
- All Things IEP
- Social Emotional Learning, Bullying, & School Discipline
- Professional Development Opportunities
Keep reading for more!
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Do You Love Organizing Things?
We're seeking a volunteer to help our Development and Communications Associate organize our outreach and fundraising materials.
If you can spare 1-2 hours on Tuesdays or Thursdays, you can play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and accessibility of our materials storage that we use every day to help families and communities. Work side-by side with a friendly, organized staff member who also happens to be blind.
You'll be the eyes, she'll identify our needs, and you'll put your brains together to create a more organized resource library!
For more way to support out work at FCSN, check out Volunteer Opportunities section below!
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Connecting YOUth
May 14 @ 5:30-6:30pm
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A monthly Zoom chat for teens and young adults with disabilities to talk about life, make friends, and get answers to their most pressing questions about the transition to adult life after high school.
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Planning A Life: College & Beyond
May 17, 8am - 4pm & May 18, 10am - 2pm
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Planning A Life (PAL) is a 2-day transition conference for transition-age youth (14-22), their families, & professionals who support them.
PAL can provide parents and professionals with useful skills and information necessary to support youth as they prepare for full, meaningful lives during and after high school.
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FCSN's Special Education 101
Our Basic Rights training series is a must for parents and professionals alike!
Gain confidence in your ability to navigate the IEP process and learn what rights you and your students are entitled to.
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Effective Communication
May 16 @ 6-8pm
Learn how to establish effective communication with your child's school and what your due process rights are for resolving disputes.
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Workshop Series
Get Ready For the New IEP!
Introduction to the New IEP Form
Learn the ins and outs of the New IEP form
Skill-Building Series
Level up specific IEP-related skills
MA schools are expected to change to this new IEP form in the 2024/25 school year.
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Social Emotional Learning, Bullying,
& School Discipline
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Bullying: What Parents Need to Know
May 8 @ 6-8pm
Get more information about the definition of bullying, the school’s legal obligation to prevent and address bullying, some strategies and tools for dealing with bullying, and how to address bullying in the IEP.
For parents and professionals
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Alternatives to Discipline & Suspension
May 16 @ 10am - 12pm
Learn about disciplinary offenses, school responsibilities, consequences for rule violations, suspensions, expulsions, emergency removals, suspension categories, out-of-school suspension procedures, and legal protections such as Manifestation Determination Review for students with IEPs.
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Social Emotional Learning
May 14 @ 7-9pm
Explore the basics of SEL and its real-world applications in classrooms & IEPs. Join us for an upcoming presentation:
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Professional Development Opportunities |
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Training of Trainers Series
Positive Solutions for Families
For early childhood educators and other professionals
Check out our FREE 10-hour training that equips you to offer the Positive Solutions for Families program to families you work with. Offered through a grant provided by the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE).
Learn more and register for our May training cohort:
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Training of Trainers Series
Strengthening Partnerships
Join MASFEC for an in-depth exploration of the Massachusetts statewide framework for family engagement and learn how to bring this training back into your school, district, organization or community.
Starts Wednesday! Sessions are on Wednesdays May 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th, from 5:00 pm to 7:00pm on Zoom
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Welcoming Newcomer Families Resource Hub
Be part of a community of professionals learning and sharing ideas for welcoming and partnering with newcomer families.
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Thursday, May 16 @ 2-4pm
Fostering a Welcoming Environment in Parent Led Groups
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Monthly Community of Practice Virtual Meeting
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Next meeting: May 9 @ 2-3pm
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We want to hear from you! |
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What is the MAIN age group you're seeking for resources for?
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Federation Supports & Resources |
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Do you need a break from caregiving?
Let us connect you with fellow caregivers of children with specialized support needs who can provide respite. We welcome you to a supportive community where everyone benefits. Join us today!
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Families of children with and without disabilities
Language Access & Help Navigating School Systems
The School Finder Help Line is a multi-language resource that can help families understand school systems and school options.
Bilingual staff members speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Haitian Creole - and help is available in many other languages through our language line.
Call the Help Line today
1 (800) 208-2242
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NextGen Careers Info Sessions
Every Tuesday at 12 pm and 4:30 pm
(1 hour sessions)
We are offering support sessions to help eligible young adults (age 18-30), their families and professionals learn what NextGen offers, how it differs from traditional vocational rehabilitation, and how to apply.
- 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month: Offered in English and Khmer
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2nd and 4th Tuesdays: English and Spanish
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Extra Services May Be Available
for Young Adults Ages 22-25
Were you or a loved one:
- Born between March 10, 1998 and September 1, 2001?
- Enrolled in special education until age 22?
- Looking for information?
If you answered yes to these questions, you may be eligible for free extra services!
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If your organization would like free in-person on-site MassHealth renewal by our Certified Application Counselors please let us know. |
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Need Help Applying for Mass Health?
The Federation is a MassHealth Certified Application Counselor Organization! Trained staff members are available to help families apply for MassHealth, or to check your application status.
Join us for Walk-In Hours:
Wednesdays starting at 10am
Location: FCSN Offices - Schrafft's Center
529 Main Street, Suite 1M3
Boston, MA 02129
Or Request an Appointment:
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Become a Special Education Surrogate Parent (SESP)
If a student with disabilities is removed from their home by a child welfare agency, they still need someone to represent them in their IEP meetings.
You can be that someone by becoming an educational decision-maker for a promising young person.
Attend an upcoming Orientation Training:
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Become a Parent to Parent Support Parent
Do you like to help others by drawing on your own personal experience? Our Family TIES Parent to Parent Program is a great way to volunteer for just a few hours--or as much time as you'd like!
Parent to Parent is the foundation of our new C2C program, and continues to serve as an essential source of phone-based support for families of children with disabilities and medical needs. Volunteers complete a 1-session training and then are matched to a family who has asked for help.
Join us for one of our next Listening & Learning Trainings:
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Did you know most children under 3 with disabilities only get home services, not community ones? Read our recent Newsline article about what policy updates OSEP made to address this concern.
Read more
www.facebook.com
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Connect With FCSN Online! |
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