Parent Leadership Hub Weekly
E-Newsletter

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Parent Leadership Hub Weekly E-Newsletter for April 19, 2012

This week's update is provided by WSPEI and WI FACETS to share statewide information regarding parent leadership and family involvement. Please visit the Parent Leadership Hub web page of the SPDG website at http://www.wispdg.org/pl.html for the current and archived weekly updates and to find information on these topics:

• WSPEI website: http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/parent.html
• WIFACETS website: http://www.wifacets.org
• Resources- Product Order Form, and Educational Materials for Parents
• Calendar of Events
• Multi-Media Resources- Workshops Online, Video Series, and Webcasts

The Parent Leadership Hub supports parents/family members, educators and other community partners to build capacity regarding meaningful family involvement. The Hub serves three primary purposes:

1. To support parents of children with disabilities between birth and 26 years of age to participate as partners in the professional development activities of each of the other Statewide Initiatives as they design, deliver and support professional development experiences; and
2. To facilitate opportunities for parents/family members to build leadership skills; and
3. To provide Content Focused technical assistance concerning family involvement.

Please, direct any questions to the PL Hub Co-Facilitators:
Mary Skadahl, WSPEI Statewide Project Director at 715-829-8932 or marys@cesa12.k12.wi.us
Emilie Braunel, WI FACETS SPDG Coordinator at 715-561-2559 or ebraunel@wifacets.org

Deadline for submitting contributions to each week's issue is Tuesday noon. For time sensitive training advertisements, the information should be sent a minimum of two weeks prior to the event date; ideally a month ahead of time. Material appropriate for the weekly newsletter include web links to sources of family involvement/parent leadership resources and advertisements for statewide trainings for parents, youth or parent/educator audiences (we don't post research articles, reports or news opinion articles). Your submittal may not be in the final copy if it was in a previous weekly email, the event date has passed or the web link doesn't work. Please, send submittals to diane@banbury.com .

NOTE: Note: If you would like to receive our weekly Parent Leadership Hub e-Newsletter, please contact one of the PL Hub Co-Facilitators:
Emilie Braunel, WI FACETS SPDG Coordinator at ebraunel@wifacets.org
Mary Skadahl, WSPEI Statewide Project Director at marys@cesa12.k12.wi.us

 

Parent/Personnel Development Opportunities

1. "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" An Evening to Learn About Autism

   DATE: Thursday, April 19th at 6:00pm
   WHERE: Lakeland Family Resource Center, 314 Elm Street, Spooner
   WHAT: We hear about Autism ALL the time. Ever wonder what it would be like to have a family member with AUTISM? Everyone is welcome to hear first-hand from those whose lives have been affected by AUTISM.
   INFO: Pre-registration is appreciated but not required. For more information or to register just call LFRC (Lakeland Family Resource Center) at 715-635-4669.
   FREE CHILDCARE provided by WEAP (Wisconsin Early Autism Project).

2. Social Security Disability / SSI FREE PRESENTATION

   WHEN: April 24th from 11:30am – 1:00pm
   WHERE: Gateway Technical College, Racine (parking Lot D, enter in the back off Pershing Drive)
   WHAT: If you have filed or considered filing for social security disability or SSI benefits, if you have been denied OR If you want to increase your chances for success or just have questions about the process. Then this presentation is for you! This program is being sponsored by Society's Assets, NAMI-Racine and the Arc of Racine County.
   WHO: Attorney Thomas W. Durkin is presenting. Attorney Durkin has extensive knowledge and experience representing individuals throughout every step of the social security process.
   REGISTRATION: Please RSVP by calling Atty. Durkin's Office at 262-633-7530.
   You may also contact Society's Assets at 262-637-9128 or info@societysassets.org or call NAMI at 262-637-0582 or namiracine@tds.net or The Arc at 262-634-6303 or info@thearcofracine.org. Free lunch will be served.

3. Sharing Session on Special Education

   WHEN: Thursday, April 26th from 5:00pm – 6:30pm
   WHERE: Madison Marriott West at 1313 John Q Hammons Drive, Middleton, WI
   WHAT: A panel of agencies will provide information about their work in special education. You are welcome to come and share your ideas about how special education information, training, and systems that support you and your child can be improved and strengthened. Attending will be representatives from various agencies including; WI FACETS; WI Board for People with Developmental Disabilities; Disability Rights Wisconsin; WI DPI; WI Statewide Parent Educator Initiative; and Madison Metropolitan School District.
   REGISTER: Reservations are helpful and encouraged by April 20 by calling 877-374-0511 or emailing to smcfarland@wifacets.org. Materials in Spanish and Spanish language translation will be available. Children are welcome and a FREE PASTA SUPPER will be served including (pasta, salad, dessert and beverage) at 5:00pm.

4. What's After High School? Everything You Need to Know About Supports and Resources for Youth with Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs

   WHEN: Wednesday, May 2nd, 5:00pm – 9:00pm
   WHERE: Center for Independent Living for Western WI, 202 Eau Claire St., Suite 102, Eau Claire, WI.
   WHAT: This is a free training for parents, caregivers, youth and providers on the transition to adult life for youth with disabilities and/or special health care needs.
   Topics will include:
   • Envisioning a youth's future in the community.
   • The role in schools.
   • Options for long term supports.
   • Vocational resources.
   • Transitioning to adult health care.
   • Guardianship, Power of Attorney for Health Care and other legal issues.
   • The importance of advocacy and the fundamentals of self-determination.
   REGISTRATION: Contact the Western Regional Center, Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs at 800-400-3678 (ask for Rose or Wynne) or rmarsh@co.chippewa.wi.us. Training is FREE and dinner will be provided. Certificate of training participation will be available for individuals seeking continuing education credit.

5. "By the Numbers" 11th Biennial Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota Regional Conference

   WHEN: May 5th from 8:00am – 5:00pm
   WHERE: Double Tree Hotel, 7800 Normandale Ave, Bloomington, MN
   WHAT: Keynote presenter: Gretchen Courtnage-Danielson inspires just about everyone who hears her speak. She has joined Kathleen Forney, in presentations to the medical students at the University of MN and Mayo Medical School. She is an engaging speaker; a wonderful role model for families and young children with Down syndrome showing them that with supports individuals with Down syndrome can reach their full potential, ultimately living rich, productive lives. Conference schedule includes:
   • How to use the iPad to meet goals.
   • Sexual learning in people with disabilities.
   • Outside the box strategies for supporting literacy skills.
   • Transition from IFSP to IEP.
   • Creating positive behavior.
   • Health Care Guidelines for children with Down syndrome: Top ten changes and challenges.
   • Nutritional needs of a child with Down syndrome.
   • Common issues and concerns during puberty.
   • Estate Planning.
   • How to multiply your child's chances for success.
   REGISTER: Register online at: http://www.dsamn.org/ or call 651-603-0720. Cost is $50.00 for DSAM members and $70.00 for non-DSAM members. Fees include continental breakfast, snacks, lunch, parking and a compendium. Scholarships are available.

6. Adoptive Families Play Date

   WHEN: Saturday, May 5th at 6:00pm
   WHERE: Holiday Heights Park in Onalaska, WI
   WHAT: Join the Friends of Adoption for a fun play date, bring a picnic lunch if you would like.
   RESISTRATION: RSVP to Magen at 608-782-0710 x 223.

7. "Let's Get To Work" Request for Proposals

   WHAT: The WI Board for People with Developmental Disabilities is pleased to announce a Request for Proposals through the Let's Get to Work Grant. Let's Get to Work is seeking up to four Wisconsin high schools interested in a professional development project focused on improving the employment outcomes of their students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) ages 15 to 17. Successful applicants will receive a grant of up to $15,000 in the first year (with an option of continuing on a step-down payment basis for up the three years) and will work closely with a Coaching Team that provides training and technical assistance in a variety of employment-related areas.
   APPLICATION DEADLINE: Application deadline is May 23, 2012. A question and answer call will be held on April 19th from 3:30 to 4:30pm-to participate call toll-free, 888-291-0312 and enter the passcode: 5667 953#. For a copy of the RFP, please visit: http://wi-bpdd.org/Docs/2012/Lets%20Get%20to%20Work%202012%20RFP.pdf

 

Family Involvement Resources

1. Students in Foster Care

   Youth living in foster care graduate from high school at a much lower rate than their peers in Wisconsin, so the DPI and DCF are informing schools and child welfare agencies of ways to improve educational outcomes for these students. Students in foster care are often mistakenly excluded from participation in activities outside the classroom because the school is unable to obtain permission from the parent. DCF recently issued a memorandum clarifying that a foster parent (or other individual with custody of a child under the child welfare system) may give consent for activities like field trips, sports activities, and clubs. Many Wisconsin school districts have granted partial credit to students who had to transfer mid-semester, because a parent in military service was deployed overseas. This same strategy can be used to increase the educational success of students who enroll mid-semester because they are placed in foster homes.
   Some ways schools and child welfare agencies can work together, and their respective responsibilities, are detailed in the joint DPI/DCF publication Educational Services for Children Living in Foster Care. Read this publication online at:
   http://dpi.wi.gov/sspw/pdf/sswedfostercare.pdf or if you have any questions on this matter direct them to Nic Dibble, DPI School Social Work Consultant at 608-266-0963.

2. Indian Teen Wins Seat on Wisconsin Board

   18 year old Travis Nez has become the youngest member ever to serve on the Price County Board of Supervisors. Nez, a Navajo citizen of the Colorado River Indian Tribe has been sworn in and is soon to graduate from Phillips High School in Phillips, WI. He is looking forward to bringing a "fresh, new outlook" to his two-year term as supervisor, and has been quoted as saying that he ran because he saw is country headed in the wrong direction and he felt it was time someone stood up and did something about it. Read all about Travis Nez at the following web address.
   http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2012/04/17/native-teen-wins-seat-on-wisconsin-board-108593

3. Think College WI Website

   "Think College WI" website is "live" at http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/thinkcollege/. The goal of the site is to be as current as possible so that postsecondary education options for students with intellectual disabilities continue to expand across out state. Also, if you know a student who would enjoy being featured in their "Featured Students" section, please let them know. They want to share stories of high school students interested in college and the experiences of current or former students. Contact Molly Cooney, Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison, Waisman Center, at 608-890-1688 with any ideas or suggestions.

4. Health Watch Wisconsin Website

   HealthWatch Wisconsin is an organization devoted to improving health care and health coverage in Wisconsin. Visit it at: http://www.healthwatchwisconsin.org.

5. Wrights Law: Transition, Transition Services, Transition Planning…

   This site includes articles, cases, and FREE publications to prepare students with disabilities and their families for life. http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/trans.index.htm

6. DPI

   This page of the DPI site offers transition information regarding the state performance standards, summary of performance, and many links to other sites about transition.
   http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/transition.html

 

DISCLAIMER
Inclusion of information in this e-mail does not constitute an endorsement by the Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative, Wisconsin FACETS, the Department of Public Instruction, the U.S. Department of Education, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.