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| A Note from the Director's Desk... | |
Dear Parents and Education Advocates:
Greetings and Holiday wishes from all the staff at Families Together! Whether you are celebrating a particular tradition or just spending time with family, this can be a busy time of the year. The break from school routines can bring additional challenges. Make sure you are making plans to help your sons and daughters cope with the changes. See page 3 |
| Service Animals |  Neither IDEA nor Section 504 specifically addresses whether students with disabilities have the right to be accompanied by service animals on schools grounds. However, the 2010 amendments to the Title II regulations implementing the ADA clarify some of the requirements for service animals. Those requirements take effect on March 15, 2011. See page 1 |
| Kansas Vulnerable Need Planning System | | This system allows residents with special needs the opportunity to provide information to assist in planning to meet their needs before, during and after emergencies.
Who are those with special needs? Populations whose members may have additional needs before during and after an incident in functional areas including, but not limited to: maintaining independence, communication, transportation, supervision and medical care. See Page 2 |
| Education Advocate Update | |
December means decorating, shopping, gifting, feasting, family and reviewing first semester progress of the students we serve for as education advocates. Please be sure you are aware of how your student(s) is doing toward progressing in the general education curriculum and progressing towards the IEP goals. If your student is not progressing at a rate that is satisfactory, it may mean the team needs to meet or the IEP needs to be amended. See Page 2 |
| Mito-what? | |
In 2007, after 18 months of cross country travel, numerous tests, muscle biopsies and a lot of waiting, we finally received a diagnosis of mitochondria disease for our 3 year old son Grant. All the while, enduring speech, physical and occupational therapy, rigorous vitamin schedules-leading to unpleasant side effects and of course, more doctors' visits and arguments with insurance, we were learning about the disease that effects our son's muscular and growth ability and energy levels, and educating ourselves and others how to spell this disease that affects almost 4,000 children born every year. See Page 3 |
| Garden City's Spanish Family Enrichment Weekend | |
The Families Together Garden City Center held their Spanish Family Enrichment Weekend Friday and Saturday, October 22-23 at the Clarion Inn in Garden City. Twenty six families participated. The highlight of the weekend was the appearance of celebrities such as Spongebob Squarepants, Elmo, Batman, Mickey Mouse and Princess Destiney.
La oficina de Familias Unidas de Garden City celebraron su fin de semana de de enriquecimiento familiar en español el viernes y sábado, 22 y 23 de octubre en el Clarion Inn en Garden City. 26 familias participaron, lo más destacado del fin de semana fue la aparición de celebridades como Spongebob, Elmo, Batman, Mickey Mouse y la princesa. Destiney. Las familias tuvieron la oportunidad de tomarse fotos con sus personajes favoritos para una contribución de $ 5.00 dolares. La contribución es utilizada para becas para a familias que asisten a eventos. See Page 4 |
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| Together We Can Learn Conference | |
Feb. 26, 2011
Topeka, KS
Featuring
John Magg, University of Nebraska at Lincoln - Controlling Your Emotions and Behavior Regardless of How Disagreeably Others Treat You
Colleen Riley, Directorof Student Support Service, Kansas State Department of Education - Systems Change using Multi -Tier System of Supports
Breakout Sessions
AT as IT: Parents + Professionals = Integration, Sean J Smith, Associate Professor of Special Education, University of Kansas.
Planning for Your Child with Special Needs, Scott Adams, Founder, Principal Special Needs Planning Centers
Understanding Tests and Evaluations of Learning: How Specific Learning Disabilities Are Evaluated in Schools and by Independent Evaluators, Julia Shaftel, Special Education Coordinator, Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation, University of Kansas
The Journey to Adulthood: What Parents Need to Know (Sexuality), Lesli Girard and Tami Schwindt, Families Together, Inc.
Positive Behavior Support Extravaganza 2.0, Matt J. Enyart
, Research Assistant, Kansas Institute for Positive Behavior Support within the Life Span Institute, University of Kansas
Understanding Processing Deficits, Andrea L. Stevenson Crisp, Ed.S., USD 232, School Psychologist
Medical Home = Medical Team, Cassie Cafferty and Kayzy Bigler, Families Together, Inc. Technical Assistance System Network (TASN), Jean Ann Summers, Ph.D and Kathleen Kyzar, Ph.D., Project Success Kansas at the University of Kansas, and Connie Zienkewicz, Families Together, Inc. More Information
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| No Stone Left Unturned at Finding Solutions Conference in Wichita | | This year's statewide conference tackled a new theme and broadened topics to inspire parents and professionals to collaborate and find solutions together so that students of all abilities are not just included in their schools and communities, but they belong there. See Page 5 |
| New National Parent Center Network Website | |
A new website, ParentCenterNetwork.org, allows parents and professionals to easily link to a national network of Parent Centers and a wide-range of resources. Parent Centers provide training, information and assistance to families of children with all disabilities ages birth to 26 years and the professionals who work with them. See Page 5 |
| Parent-Teacher Conferences: A Tip Sheet for Parents | |
As a parent, you are your child's first and most important teacher. You and your child's school have something in common: You both want your child to learn and do well. When parents and teachers talk to each other, each person can share important information about your child's talents and needs. See Page 7 |
| Reuniones de Padres y Maestros: Una Hoja de Consejos para los Padres de Familia | |
Como padre de familia, usted es el primer y el más importante maestro de su hijo. Usted y la escuela de su hijo tienen algo en común: Ambos quieren que su hijo aprenda y que tenga éxito. Cuando los padres y los maestros se comunican, cada persona puede compartir información importante sobre los talentos y las necesidades de su hijo. See Page 7 |
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Families Together, Inc.
Topeka Center
(785) 233-4777 or (800) 264-6343
Garden City Center
(620) 276-6364 or (888) 820-6364
Kansas City Center
(913) 287-1970 or (877) 499-5369
Wichita Center
(316) 945-7747 or (888) 815-6364
Statewide Spanish parent line
(800) 499-9443
Wichita Administrative Center
(316) 945-7747 or (888) 815-6364
(All toll free numbers for Kansas parents & education advocates)
www.familiestogetherinc.org |
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