Greetings!

Online Trainings offered through MPACT

 MPACT Parent Mentor Program

MPACT Parent Mentors are available to offer support and guidance to parents of children with disabilities throughout the IEP process.  Parent Mentors are volunteers who receive 24 hours of initial training, ongoing monthly training, and technical assistance from MPACT staff with regard to special education law, the IEP process, conflict resolution, and effective communication.  Their goal is to help parents build a collaborative partnership with the school district so their child may receive an appropriate education.  To view the list of current MPACT Parent Mentors, go to http://ptimpact.org/Volunteer/MentorList.aspx.

If your school district has had a MPACT Parent Mentor in attendance at an IEP meeting, please take a moment to complete a brief online survey located at http://ptimpact.org/Surveys.aspx if you have not already done so.  A separate survey should be completed for each mentor who has provided services to parents in your district.  These surveys assist MPACT and DESE with identifying and addressing areas of success and improvement with the Parent Mentor Program.

For more information about MPACT or if you have questions regarding the status of a Parent Mentor, please contact MPACT by telephone at (800) 743-7634 or by e-mail at info@ptimpact.org.    You can also view the MPACT website at http://www.ptimpact.org.

How Are We Doing?

Have you ever received phone support by MPACT?  Attended any of our trainings?  We'd LOVE to hear from you!!  Please complete one (or both!) surveys to help us do continuous improvement and recognize those staff that have made a difference!

Satisfaction Survey
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Satisfaction_of_Service

Workshop Follow Up Survey
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=M_2bZ_2bJzfFxOpJU2cxN2L3aw_3d_3d  

Jefferson City-The Missouri Youth Leadership Forum announces the 10th annual statewide leadership forum for high school students, ages 16-21, with disabilities which will be held at the University of Missouri campus in Columbia. Since its inception, 154 youth with disabilities in Missouri have participated in the program.  The prospective youth delegates are selected through a statewide competition and have demonstrated leadership potential.  Qualified students can apply now for the 10th annual Missouri Youth Leadership Forum scheduled for July 22-25, 2012.  

This year's forum has a pertinent partnership with Services for Independent Living in Columbia. Many of their staff provides leadership and staffing for the incoming youth delegates.  Forum alumni will be returning to serve as mentors and team members by sharing their knowledge about leadership principles, disability experience and resource sharing, assistive technology, development and achievement of career goals, independent living, and developing advocacy skills.  

The Governor's Council on Disability is currently accepting applications for this event. There are no tuition costs to attend the forum. The application is available online at www.mo.gov/disability/gcd/ylf.htm 

Deadline for submitting the application is April 18, 2012. 

To nominate a student from your local community, complete the application online or fax it to 573-526-4109 or mail it to Missouri Governor's Council on Disability, P.O. Box 1668, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Governor's Council on Disability at 1-800-877-8249.

Missouri School for the Blind (MSB) is pleased to offer, free of charge, to
Missouri students who are Blind or Visually Impaired in grades 5-8 two (2) summer sessions focused on developing students' abilities to access Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) with increased independence. Summer STEM participants will work in collaborative teams to solve problems, explore concepts and develop scientific inquiry skills that can be transferred to the regular curriculum. In addition to organized STEM activities, participants will practice community-based Orientation and Mobility emphasizing the use of public transportation and safely accessing unfamiliar environments for both learning and leisure recreation. Students will have the opportunity to foster new friendships, and practice Activities of Daily Living skills designed to increase independence in the home environment.

 For more information CLICK HERE. 

Educational Surrogate Training