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May 1, 2014
Celebrating 26 Years of Excellence
Serving Missouri Families!
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Did you miss an issue of the MPACT ENews? Delete it by mistake? Wish you could find a past article? Well you can! To view current and past issues of the MPACT ENews visit our website.
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| Many Thanks to Mary Kay Savage |
MPACT is sorry to announce the resignation of Mary Kay Savage, who has given eleven years of dedicated service as our Executive Director. Mary Kay poured her heart and soul into improving the lives of Missouri children with disabilities and their families. After years as an MPACT mom, volunteer parent mentor and board member, Mary Kay brought invaluable first-hand experience to her role as Executive Director. MPACT appreciates the countless hours of service she has dedicated to our organization. Please join MPACT in sending Mary Kay best wishes as she pursues new opportunities.
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| MO DESE Website Update |
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) recently updated their website to make it more attractive and easier to navigate.
Unfortunately, the update means that many documents have been moved to new locations on the site making the previous URLs are incorrect. MPACT will be working over the next few weeks to identify all the items that need updated DESE website links and getting them repaired. Please be patient with us as we work to get this task completed as quickly as possible.
Information about Special Education can be found on the DESE website. If you have trouble finding a document and want help, email info@ptimpact.org. We will get back with you as quickly as possible.
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MPACT Family Fun Night at the Magic House!
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The MPACT Board of Directors are holding a fundraising event on July 19 at The Magic House; St. Louis Children's Museum. This nationally acclaimed children's museum offers hundreds of hands-on educational exhibits for kids from one to 101. You and your family will create life long memories exploring the Children's Village, Star-Spangled Center, Jack and the Beanstalk Climber and more.
Enjoy beverages and snacks while participating in other activities for kids. The evening will also feature goodie bags, door prizes, a 50/50 drawing and an auction. Check the MPACT website for a current list of auction items. Proceeds from this evening's events will benefit MPACT.
Ticket information is now available on the MPACT website. The price is $10 for one individual and $15 dollars for two. When you buy 4 or more tickets, each ticket is just $5! Bring some friends for an evening of low cost fun. Don't wait too long to purchase your tickets. At these prices, we expect to sell out quickly.
Are you or your business interested in sponsoring the MPACT Family Fun Night at the Magic House? Sponsorship is affordable, beginning at just $100. Get more information on the MPACT website.
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| RSB and SRC Public Forum |
Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB) and the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind (SRC) invite you to a Public Meeting. They would like to hear your comments and concerns regarding the services provided to Missourians who are blind and visually impaired.
A panel of guests will share their stories about learning "Alternative Techniques of Blindness" for example travel, Braille, self care, learning to use voice output to access computer text.
The public forum will take place on May 1, 2014 from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the Capitol Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, 415 W. McCarty Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
You may participate via conference call by calling 1-877-820-7831,conference call pin number required 35666479#.
To contact RSB or SRC please call (800) 592-6004
Business Meeting: Friday, May 2, 2014 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, Capitol Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, 415 W. McCarty St. Jefferson City MO 65101. 573-635-1234
Conference call participants: after introductions the line will be muted for about 30 minutes while the guest speaker is talking. After which we will un-mute the line for comments and questions.
Interpreters: will be available upon request, if you need an interpreter, if you are deaf-blind, or would like a copy of this announcement in your preferred medium, please contact us at 1-800-592-6004 prior to the meeting.
Comments: You may submit written comments to Cindy.Bitterman@dss.mo.gov or by mailing them to Cindy Bitterman, P.O. Box 2320, 615 Howerton Ct, Jefferson City MO 65102-2320.
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| Video Message from Commissioner of Education |
Missouri Commissioner of Education Chris Nicastro discusses Missouri's improvement plan for school districts which was approved at the March State Board meeting. Several of Missouri's top teachers also share their thoughts on what higher academic standards mean for Missouri students. View via YouTube or Webstream.
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| Does Your Child Receive First Steps Services? Visit MPACT's First Steps Page | |
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MPACT Parent Mentor Program
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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. Click here to view the list of current MPACT Parent Mentors.
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 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.
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FREE Online Trainings offered through MPACT
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Our free online trainings will help parents to understand the special education process in the state of Missouri. You can access the MPACT online trainings listed below by going to the Training page on our website and clicking on Online Training.
- Extended School Year
- Special Education: What I Need to Know
- IDEA Transition Requirements
- Transition to Post Secondary Experiences (Part 1 & 2)
- Connecting Goals to Coordinated Activities and Services for Transition
- Transition Resources - Disability Disclosure
- Soft Skills
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Free MPACT Trainings
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MPACT trainings are provided free of charge to parents of children with disabilities. To sign up for an upcoming training, follow the links below, then click on the 'SIGNUP' button located next to the training name. Fill in your name, email address, phone number, the name of the training you wish to attend and the date it is being offered.
While registering for a live training is not mandatory it does ensure that the trainer has an adequate amount of handouts. This also allows MPACT to contact you should a training need to be cancelled or rescheduled. To view a comprehensive list of all trainings provided by MPACT go to http://ptimpact.org/Training/Training.aspx.
Please be sure to double check the website training pages for any updates or changes to trainings offered.
The Art of Effective Advocacy
Special Education Mediation
Understanding the IEP Process
Understanding the IEP Process for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Writing Post Secondary Goals for Students with ASD
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Give the Gift of Knowledge - Donate to MPACT
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MPACT welcomes donations in any amount and will acknowledge all donors in our Annual Report and on our MPACT Facebook page. Agency, organization and business donors making a contribution of $200.00 or more will be recognized by placing their name and logo on our website's donation page. Individual donations of $50.00 or more will be added to our Friends of MPACT list. Donations may be made by credit card through PayPal on our website or by sending a check to the state office: MPACT, 8301 State Line Rd., Ste. 204, Kansas City MO, 64114. Every donation will receive a receipt for tax purposes.
Please help us to continue to provide the support that families of Missouri's children with disabilities are requesting by making a donation to MPACT. MPACT is a 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax deductible.
MPACT Donation Letter
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Question? Comments? Suggestions? Send them to info@ptimpact.org or
contact the MPACT State Office at 1-800-743-7634. |
Empowering families to advocate for themselves so that children with special education needs can reach their full potential in education and life -
through support, training and education.
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