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Triple Workshop coming to Lake Havasu

Special Education Could Suffer Billion-Dollar Automatic Cut

Across-the-board federal budget cuts could take a nearly $1 billion bite out of federal special education spending, with the bulk of that representing state grants for the education of school-age children with disabilities. Read EdWeek article.

Legislation to Alleviate Drug Shortages

Congress has reacted to recent drug shortages resulting in serious consequence to children's hospitals and pediatric patients. It passed a permanent extension of two important drug laws for children: Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA) and Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA). Read report from Children's Hospitals Today

Read Summary of Bill S.3187

Feds Pledge More Focus on Outcomes for Students with Disabilities

Federal special education officials on Monday reaffirmed a pledge to focus more on how special education students are faring, rather than almost exclusively concentrating on whether states are technically upholding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Read article in Education Week

Hearing Loss Largely Not Covered By Insurance

Untreated hearing loss in children can severely hurt their development. Read article on CNN.

New Center Will Aim to Develop More Effective Special Educators

The federal Education Department is funding a new center to find out how special education teachers can be more effective. The new center will provide technical assistance to state education departments that are reviewing and reforming certification and licensing standards for teacher preparation programs. Read article in Education Week

Input Sought on New Accountability System

Office of Special Education Program's (OSEP's) Results Driven Accountability (RDA).

The U.S. Department of Education is hosting a blog to solicit input regarding questions in developing a new accountability system.  OSEP plans to post new questions every two weeks so stakeholders can comment on various aspects of the effort to move to a Results-Driven Accountability system.

Whooping cough on the rise in Arizona

In Arizona, there have been a possible 581 cases of pertussis this year, according to the state Department of Health Services. Whooping cough has generally been increasing for years, but this year's spike is startling.
Read The Arizona Republic article.

Nominations for Secondary Transition Services Awards

Arizona's Twelfth Annual Transition Conference, Facing the Future: Who's in Your Network? is accepting nominations for Secondary Transition Services Awards

Nominations are being accepted in the following categories: Youth and Young Adults (with a successful transition story to share), Community-Based (-agency, business, business owner, parent), School-Based (certified staff, related service provider, classified staff, support staff, or administrator) and Secure Care (e.g., certified staff, related service provider, classified staff, support staff, or administrator). A notice will be disseminated on the ADE/ESS website (www.azed.gov/special-education) with more specific information on how to make nomination(s) soon.  

Early Intervention - Making a Difference for Infants and Toddlers

Did you know there are 7 Key Principles for providing early intervention services?

 

Each week over the summer, one of these principles is being featured in Monday Memo. See the Videos available for download that give parents useful and practical information about what early intervention looks like for children from birth to three. This week's topic is: 

Interventions with young children and family members must be based on explicit principles, validated practices, best available research, and relevant laws and regulations.

The Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) provides Early Intervention services to children birth to three, using a team-based approach. The team's focus is on collaborative coaching of families as the primary intervention strategy. The family and team work together to implement goals that achieve important functional outcomes in natural environments.

For more information or questions, please visit www.azdes.gov/AzEIP/KeyPrinciples or call AzEIP 602-532-9960, (Toll free in Arizona: 888-439-5609).

Chris had to think pretty hard about how she originally found Raising Special Kids. "It was a really, really long time ago," she laughed thinking of the journey through her son's elementary, middle and high school years. I think it was our doctor who referred us, or was it the school?"

That time period was a bit of a blur. Her son, Taylor did not have a definitive medical diagnosis, and her family was having a hard time with his school. "The Parent to Parent connection was especially helpful, as were the staff assistance with school issues, medical issues and finding lots of resources," she said.

"Like many parents, sometimes I wanted to deal head on with an issue-other times I'd just want to bury my head in the sand. Those were the times I just needed someone to listen." Chris recalls the training and consultation she received helped her gain confidence in advocating for her son. When she went to meetings she began to feel "I can do this!" And it worked. Today Taylor is doing well, and Chris is very proud. "He's really a great kid-full of love and he's so happy! It makes me feel good I stuck to my guns. The support I got from Raising Special Kids really helped me to do that."

When Chris began to help others as a Parent to Parent mentor, she said, "I learned so many things from other parents."

We salute Chris for her accomplishments and the difference she has made for many families.

Join us for an evening of music and fun for a good cause! 

 Featuring a band of fun-loving Valley Docs:

Champagne Tap

Saturday, August 18, 2012

8 pm (doors open at 7pm)

Martini Ranch

7295 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale, AZ

Tap your feet to this fun loving Rock-N-Roll cover band of Valley doctors

$10.00 cover charge with all proceeds going to Raising Special Kids

Champagne Tap band members include:

• Singer - Dr. Matt Barcellona - Pediatrician
• Bass - Dr. Gregory White - Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon
• Guitar - Dr. Erik Ramnath - Internal Medicine

Local band, Rock Lobster, is also scheduled to play

Dandelion Golf Classic for Special Kids

CareScape Inc. will host the 6th Annual Dandelion Golf Classic to benefit Raising Special Kids on Saturday, September 29^th.  The event helps Raising Special Kids keep family support services available at no cost.

Enjoy a day of golf at Pebble Creek, Tuscany Falls course, with a terrific lunch, prizes for winners, golf shirts, team photos and more.

Sponsorship information and event details are available at www.dandeliongolfclassic.com.

For questions call 602-242-4366 or email info@raisingspecialkids.org.

Fact Sheets for Specific Disabilities

Each fact sheet defines the disability, describes its characteristics, offers tips for parents and teachers, and connects you with related information and organizations with special expertise in that disability.

Promising Practices Network

PPN offers credible, research-based information on what works to improve the lives of children and families.

including "best practices" and "model programs." In addition to providing information on Programs that Work, PPN also links to additional research information in all areas related to child well-being, including their physical and mental health, academic success, and economic security.

Afterschool Care Directory

The Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence launched a web-based, bilingual directory to help parents find quality afterschool programming. The database allows searches by location, interest area, cost and more. View or print a program checklist here.

12 Activities to Help Your Child with Social Skills

Reading and understanding social cues don't come easy for children with special needs. Here are twelve activities from Friendship Circle Blog that you can do with your child to help improve his or her social skills.

Backpack Connection Series 

Presentation on Mental Health Needs of Deaf Community

Date: Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Time: 1:30-3:30

Location: NARBHA at 1300 S. Yale St. in Flagstaff

Telemed is available. RSVP is required: Amy Ellen at amy.ellen@narbha.org  or 928-214-2200

View flyer.

ADHD Presentation

Sit Still. Pay Attention: Diagnosing and Treating ADHD in Children and Teens

Saturday, August 25, 2012

9 to 11 a.m.

Phoenix Children's Hospital, 1920 E. Cambridge Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85006

This presentation is designed to help you know and understand the nature of ADHD, a disorder affecting 3-7% of children.

Free Admission

To Register: Seating is limited. RSVP your attendance by calling the Arizona Psychological Association office at (480) 675-9477, or by sending an email to azpa@azpa.org .

Free Parking - Enter the campus off 20th Street and Cambridge Avenue, two blocks south of Thomas Road. Free parking is available in the visitor parking garage.

Focus Group on Housing for Adults with Autism

Participation is being invited for two focus groups evaluating a housing option for adults with an autism spectrum or related disorder in Phoenix. There are places in the parent's focus groups planned for the late afternoon and evening on Wednesday, August 8th.  There are criteria to help identify who might be a good match - please fill out the following survey if you are interested in participating: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/housing_research

For more information call: 510-238-0150 or email Maureen.Ladley@LadleyandAssociates.com

Down Syndrome Dinner, Q&A with Doctors

Research Dinner Event for Parents and Guardians of Young Adults with Down Syndrome (ages 18-30)

Learn more about advances in Down syndrome cognitive research & therapies, and enjoy a Q&A with top researchers over dinner at

The Herb Box (7134 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale, 85251)

Thursday, August 9 at 6:30 p.m.

Parents/Guardians of individuals with Trisomy 21 ages 18-30 are invited to attend the dinner.

Presenters:

• Dr. Michael Harpold, DSRTF Chief Scientific Officer
• Dr. Jaime Edgins, Research Director, Down Syndrome Research Group
• Dr. Omar Khwaja, Translational Medicine Leader, Roche
• Clinical trial research team from Barrow Neurological Institute

Seating is limited and advanced registration is required.

DSNetwork has reserved a private room and a menu has been selected.

To RSVP, please contact Janet Romo at romojanet@hotmail.com.

For more information, visit DSNetwork's website.

Arizona Center for Disability Law Public Forum

The Arizona Center for Disability Law is hosting public forums to discuss topics including:

• What are the biggest issues facing people with disabilities in Arizona today?
• What are the barriers to people with disabilities achieving independence?
• What should the Arizona Center for Disability Law be doing to address these issues and barriers?
• Do ACDL's current priorities - employment, accessibility, mental health, education, and health care - address the most important issues for people with disabilities? What areas should ACDL include?

DIRECT Center for Independence
1023 North Tyndall, Tucson

Call Lorraine at (520) 327-9547, ext. 313 or 800-922-1447 for more information.

Partners in Policymaking

Free Leadership Training for Self-Advocates and Parents of Children with Disabilities

Pilot Parents of Southern Arizona announced applications for the 16th class of Partners in Policymaking are now being accepted. This six-month training program for parents of children with special needs and for young adult self-advocates will begin in Phoenix in October. Applications are due by August 31, 2012. For more information contact: Karen Kelsch at (520) 324-3158, or Toll Free 1-877-365-7220 or visit Pilot Parent's website.

Arizona's Twelfth Annual Transition Conference

"Facing the Future: Who's In Your Network?"

Making a commitment to the successful transition to adult life for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities

October 15th - 16th, 2012 for youth and families (additional day for professionals: October 17th)

9:30 am - 5:00 pm

Talking Stick Resort,

9800 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85250

More information/registration online

Raising Special Kids' Parent Leaders share valuable experience and knowledge with new parents. As mentors they build confidence, increase advocacy skills, and provide support that decreases the isolation and grief new parents often feel when learning of a child's disability. Last year, Parent Leaders mentored 360 new parents. 0ver 90% reported they improved their ability to work with professionals, and their ability to provide for their child's needs, services, and care.

For information about Parent Leader Training, contact Janna Murrell at Raising Special Kids 602-242-4366 or jannam@raisingspecialkids.org

"I will be more sympathetic to families and remember how one bad day for me can impact a family forever. This training was a real eye opener for me, and very helpful in my residency." -- Aarti Gaglani M.D., Phoenix Children's Hospital 

Summer School for Parents - Navajo Nation

August 08, 2012

8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Navajo Nation Museum, Hwy 264 and Post Office Loop Road, Window Rock, AZ 

Summer School for Parents will consist of two tracks in the morning:

• One will address preschool with Turning 3, What's Next? AzEIP to Preschool Transition and IEP Basics.
• The other track will address high school and with High School Transition and Turning 18, What's Next? Guardianship.
• The afternoon class will cover Bully-Free Environments.

Registration begins at 8AM.  Lunch is provided.  No childcare available.

IEP Basics

August 09, 2012

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Learn about the purpose of IEP's, parents' role in the process, and how to prepare for meetings.

Triple Workshop in Lake Havasu

Free workshops presented in partnership with Lake Havasu Unified School District #1

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Thunderbolt Middle School, 695 Thunderbolt Ave., Lake Havasu City, Arizona 86406

Positive Behavior Support  9:00pm - 12:00 noon

• Why kids behave the way they do
• Effective techniques for dealing with difficult behaviors
• Feel like you're always saying "No"? Explore new options.

High School Transition  12:45 pm - 2:30 pm

• How the transition plan in a High school student's IEP can prepare for higher education, employment and life in the community
• How students can explore options and make choices
• Resources

Getting and Keeping the First Job  2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

• Importance of work
• Employment & career planning
• Accommodations, Disclosure & Interviewing

Registration required for each workshop.  No childcare available. Certificates of attendance will be provided. Light breakfast & boxed lunch

To register call:

602-242-4366 or 800-237-3007 or visit www.raisingspecialkids.org