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Every stakeholder is a HERO, and every HERO needs their resources!!
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ABCs of the FIE
Presented by Elisa Shepard and Tyler Aitken, LSSP
Whether you are new to the Special Education process or have years of experience, we hope you will join us for our presentation, the ABCs of the FIE. During this hour, you will learn about the evaluation process and the Full and Individual Evaluation (FIE) detailing the results of your child's Special Education evaluation. You will receive information on how to read the FIE as a parent to become informed and empowered regarding your child's eligibility and how their disability impacts their ability to access and benefit from the educational process. Additionally, you will receive information on additional resources and supports that are available for parents and families of students with a disability. All parents, guardians, and caregivers are welcomed. Let's deep dive together and learn our ABCs of the FIE.
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Developmental Sequence of Gross/Fine Motor Skills
Presented by Nicole Chase, OTR, and Amber Smith, PT
Activities and suggestions for every stage of development to help with fine and gross motor progression in the home environment.
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Digital Strategies for Today's Hybrid Learning Environment - Elementary -
Presented by Fern Johnson,
Description (Elementary)
Explore the digital tools approved by our district to amplify your child's learning experience. The first part of this session introduces a district-purchased tool called Seesaw, which is a student-driven digital portfolio. Seesaw empowers students of any age to create, reflect, collaborate, and share. Watch a live demonstration of the various ways your child can "show what they know". The second part of the hour will be dedicated to learning productivity and accommodation tips located within the GSuite Education tools (Docs, Slides, etc.) as well as district-approved Chrome extensions.
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Digital Strategies for Today's Hybrid Learning Environment - Secondary -
Presented by Fern Johnson,
Description (Secondary) 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.
Explore the digital tools approved by our district to amplify your child's learning experience. The first part of this session introduces a district-purchased digital annotation tool called Kami, which can transform any existing document into an interactive and engaging learning experience. Kami allows students to annotate on eBooks, images, publisher-supplied PDFs, worksheets, and more. Watch a live demonstration of the various ways your child can "show what they know". The second part of the hour will be dedicated to learning productivity and accommodation tips located within the GSuite Education tools (Docs, Slides, etc.) as well as district-approved Chrome extensions.
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Dyslexia from the Parent Perspective
Presented by Nancy Dysterlic Dyslexia - Region 10
Description: This session will provide resources and support strategies to help parents navigate the challenges with dyslexia while building independence and confidence in their child.
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Guardianship and Alternatives
Presented by Tresi Weeks
Description: Attorney Tresi Moore Weeks of the Weeks Law Firm provides an overview of guardianship, including the necessary requirements, and takes you step by step through the process. Learn about less restrictive alternatives to guardianship, and how to decide if guardianship or alternatives is right for your family.
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Lifepath Systems/Texas Workforce Solutions
LifePath Systems: Presented by Diane Kazlow
LifePath Systems is a community-based, non-profit organization created specifically to help individuals and their families dealing with mental illnesses, intellectual disabilities, and developmental delays. During the presentation we will discuss; LifePath as an organization, how to get started with LifePath, and what services are available through the Mental Health, Early Childhood Intervention, or Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities divisions.Texas
Workforce Solutions: Presented by Cari Stallings
Cari Stallings is a TVRC IV (Transition Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor) who has been with the legacy DARS and now TWS-VRS since 2010. She wears many hats in her role as a TVRC, assisting the Plano ISD students from ages 14 through 22. In this session, she will speak about how the many services Texas Workforce Solutions provides will prepare students with disabilities for employment with pre-employment courses and experiences to lay a solid foundation for work. Cari also has her LPC and brings a person-centered approach as part of the VR experience with her students and families. Her experience is also personal as her son has a disability.
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Mental Health: Knowing when to make a call and who to call
Tiffany Tepper presents
Mental Health: Knowing when to make a call and who to call
Goal
To understand mental health and the identification, referral, and treatment of children and families in need of mental health services.
Objectives
- Discuss the signs of healthy mental health in children
- Provide information to facilitate early identification of mental health issues
- Provide guidelines and tips for the referral process when mental health concerns arise
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My Child is Deaf; What resources are available for my family?
Presented by Brooke Hughes
Families with children who are deaf and hard of hearing face many hurdles. This session will provide parents with available resources in the areas of communication choices, language and communication development, sign language, auditory development, hearing technology, social/emotional needs, community services, parent groups, and organizations. We will provide resources for all ages from babies to after high school. A wealth of resources are available for families to help them navigate life with a child who is deaf or hard of hearing. A resource list will be provided.
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Parent Panel
Parent Panel will answer the following questions
- What would your advice be to new parents of special education students?
- What community-based resources have you found to be invaluable?
- What have you found to be the most beneficial way to keep lines of communication open between family and school?
- What do you wish you knew before your child’s first ARD meeting?
- What did you find difficult about the first transition meeting, what advice would you give/how are you preparing for futures planning and difficult transitions?
Click the image for recording
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Setting Limits: "You are stronger than you think you are." - Superman
Presented by Holly Collinsworth and Lisa Egner
Participants will learn evidence-based strategies on responding to challenging behaviors in the home and how to effectively set limits.
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Special Needs Trust
Presented by Tresi Weeks
Description: Attorney Tresi Moore Weeks of the Weeks Law Firm provides an overview of government benefits such as SSI and Medicaid and the eligibility requirements your child must meet to receive those benefits. You will learn how to plan for your child’s future through a Special Needs Trust and other essential documents. We will explore scenarios to illustrate the best practices for planning for your child with special needs. Lastly, learn about ABLE Accounts and how they can be a part of your plan.
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STAR: Functional Routines in the Home
Presented by STAR Autism
Teaching routines in early childhood settings is critical for a child’s success. This session describes how to break routines down into small steps and target instruction on steps that are difficult for the child. Also included in this section are examples of how to embed skill instruction into daily routines.
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Understanding the Transition Process
Presented by Sandye Cox with Region 10
Transition planning can be overwhelming for students and families. This session will outline the requirements of transition planning and how to make sure it is a meaningful process.
- Transition Requirements/Process
- Student Involvement
- Family Involvement
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Understanding Your Child’s IEP
Presented by Sharon Azar
This session will provide parents an in-depth look into the following:
- IEP Process
- IEP Document
- Participating in the IEP Meeting
