MISSOURI PARENTS ACT E-NEWS

January 7, 2014

MPACT AWARDED STELLAR GRANT

MPACT is pleased to announce that we have been awarded the STELLAR (Supporting Transition to Engaged Lives by Linking Agency Resources) Project Grant. The new STELLAR project will build and expand upon the successes of MPACT's previous STELLAR grant.

The five-year grant, funded by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), will allow MPACT to expand it's already extensive and well-respected transition program by:

providing direct assistance to youth (ages 14-26) with disabilities and their families on transition issues and available services.
developing and providing trainings to youth and families that are specific to transitioning to adult life and navigating the adult service system.
collaborating with school districts to more effectively partner with employers in order to gain work experience for youth with disabilities, while still in high school.
establish regional networks that will address issues related to employment, engaging the business community, and other key components of transitioning to adult life.

Debby Loveall-Stewart, current Program Coordinator for MPACT, has been selected to lead the STELLAR Project. Ms. Stewart has demonstrated a deep and passionate commitment to helping youths with disabilities successfully transition into a purposeful, adult life.

For questions related to the STELLAR, please contact Debby at dstewart@ptimpact.org.

January

MPACT Trainings

Kansas City

Understanding the IEP Process

Date: 01/28/2015

Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Location: Waldo Library at 201 E. 75th Street

Springfield

IDEA Boot Camp

Date: 01/10/2015

Time: 8:00am to 2:00pm.

Location: Arc of the Ozarks at 1501 E. Pythian

St. Louis

Understanding the IEP Process

Date: 01/14/2015

Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm

Location: Knights of Columbus Developmental Center 3800 Park Avenue, 2nd Floor

Understanding ADHD

Date: 01/21/2015

Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Location: Special School District at 12110 Clayton Road, Town & Country

Positive Behavior Interventions

Date: 01/21/2015

Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm

Location: Office of Developmental Disability Resources 2334 Olive Street

To sign-up or view a list of MPACT's online trainings, click here.

MPACT IS HIRING!

MPACT is hiring. Are you interested in a rewarding career supporting families of children with special educational needs? Visit our website at www.ptimpact.org for more information.

In Other News...

GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH

Researchers at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO recently published groundbreaking information on neurologic and developmental disorders, showing that mapping a child's complete genetic information can quickly identify rare disorders that otherwise might go years without a definitive diagnosis.

HCBS TRANSITION PLAN

Missouri's Transition Plan regarding the new Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) rule is now available for public comment. Written comments must be received within 30 days from December 30, 2014. The direct link is: http://dss.mo.gov/mhd/ In addition, the Division of DD will have a website set up to keep everyone informed regarding this process and that url is: http://dmh.mo.gov/dd/hcbs.htm.

Meet & Greet with MPACT's

New Executive Director

Carissa with her daughter, Emily

The Autism Support Group of Southwest Missouri is hosting a Meet & Greet for Carissa Rupp, MPACT Executive Director, on Saturday, January 10, 2015.

Carissa will be sharing her story, as a mother of a child with disabilities; providing information on MPACT services; and welcoming feedback on how MPACT can better serve Missouri Families.

The event is from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Arc of the Ozarks in Springfield, MO.

For more information, click here.

Make An Impact with MPACT!

The unique journey of parent of a child with special needs can often be bumpy. Accessing the appropriate educational supports and services for a child can be challenging and overwhelming for many families.

MPACT is looking for mentors to help families navigate the special education system. If you have a desire to make an impact in the lives of other's, please consider becoming an MPACT Mentor. For more information, please email us at info@ptimpact.org

Contact Us
MPACT
8301 State Line Road
Suite 204
Kansas City, Missouri 64114
(800) 743-7634 phone (tty)
(816) 531-4777 fax

info@ptimpact.org email

MPACT is funded in part or whole by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs Grant No. H328M090020-10. The contents of the website, however, and any documents cited herein do not necessarily reflect the views or polices of the U.S Department of Education.
� 2014 MPACT. All Rights Reserved.

Empowering Missouri Families to advocate for themselves so that children with special educational needs can reach their full potential in education and in life- through training, education and support.