Family Engagement Newsletter
January 2024
Families and schools working together, because our students are worth it!
As you welcome in the New Year with anticipation and excitement, we thank you for your commitment and dedication to engaging families and your community in students' education. We hope you continue to enjoy and share this newsletter throughout 2024. On behalf of the PaTTAN Family Engagement Team, we wish you joy, peace, good health, and self-satisfaction in knowing you and the work you do makes strides in unifying our society and improving the lives of our children--our future. Thank you for all you do.
What are your Family Engagement Support Needs?
PaTTAN's Family Engagement team would like to support schools in enhancing their family and community engagement efforts. Please take a moment (literally, a minute or less) to complete these 5 questions to help us develop training and technical support based on your preferences and PD needs.
CLICK ON THE BOX BELOW.
DON'T MISS OUT--REGISTER NOW
Join us in Hershey for the 2024 PDE Conference!
Several sessions on Family Engagement
Hear and meet renowned educational speakers, glean the latest research and evidenced-based practices, network with colleagues across the state, see poster sessions on successful strategies employed by PA schools and Intermediate Units, get information on the latest supports, services, and products from educational vendors; earn CEUs (Act 48, ASHA, and more!), not to mention...the FUN and EXCITEMENT of being in Hershey!
SHARE WITH YOUR FAMILIES THAT PARENT SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE !
Develop family leadership programs that increase engagement and support for families using inclusive and diversity-focused strategies.
The Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium (MAEC) is an education non-profit dedicated to increasing access to a high-quality education for culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse learners. Read the Building Leaders: An Educator's Guide to Family Leadership, and learn more about MAEC's regional technical assistance center, services, resources, and all the works it performs in the area of family and community engagement here.
Check Out Some of the Great Family Engagement Resources from CADRE !
Engaging Underserved Families in Cultural & Linguistic Competence DR Self-Assessment
CADRE's Engaging Underserved Families in Cultural & Linguistic Competence DR Self-Assessment is a tool to support the engagement of families in the assessment process, especially those from underserved populations who may be less likely to use dispute resolution options due to language, access, or socio-economic barriers.
Working Together Series
CADRE's Working Together Series, five interactive self-directed courses, provides families and educators with a number of strategies for working together in collaborative problem solving and conflict resolution, typically in the school or IEP meeting setting. This series also includes a Facilitator Guide and Course Transcripts. (CADRE account
© 2017 All rights reserved.
This website was developed by CADRE, a project of Direction Service pursuant to Cooperative Agreement CFDA H326X230002 with the Office of Special Education Programs, United States Department of Education, Carmen M. Sánchez, Project Officer. The opinions expressed and materials contained herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the United States Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
Have You Seen the PaTTAN Family Engagement Hub?
Visit this One-Stop Family Engagement Resource Site!
Resources tailored to your role--administrator, teacher, paraprofessional, and to share with families.
Information on SPP Indicator 8--School Facilitated Parent Involvement
Resources and organizations to bolster partnerships with families and community members
Six Family Engagement Training Modules for independent, staff, family, and community skill building
SHARE THIS LINK WITH COLLEAGUES, FAMILIES, YOUR SCHOOL BOARD, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO GIVE THEM ACCESS TO THE RESOURCE HUB.
NEW RESOURCE FOR STUDENT-LED IEP SUCCESS!
Engaging Families in the IEP Process: A Guide for Schools
A new resource, Engaging Families in the IEP Process: A Guide for Schools, is now available! This document explores how schools can reframe the IEP process and take active steps to include families as educational partners. Follow the walkthrough of each section of the IEP, as it provides guiding ideas such as explanations, considerations, and conversation starters to use with families.
Find this Guide and other helpful materials on the PaTTAN website and in the PaTTAN Student-Led IEP Resource Hub.
*Also, look for the companion to this resource, "Engaging Students in the IEP Process" - COMING SOON!
Need Assistance? Contact PaTTAN!
The PA Bureau of Special Education and PaTTAN consultants, along with IU partners, will provide LEAs direct support, at a local level, in various areas of need, including family engagement. Types of support offered: Systemic, Critical, Emergent Short-Term, and Professional Development Customized Supports.
Visit PaTTAN's - Customized Professional Development and Technical Assistance and Watch this short video to learn more.
Our PaTTAN Family Engagement Team is available to assist you through your family engagement request process! familyengagementconnect@pattankop.net
2024 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES - Save These Dates!
Positive Classroom Behavior Supports - Multiple Dates & Locations
28th Annual National Autism Conference - New Location!
APR Networking and Learning Community Opportunities
Pennsylvania Special Education Leadership Academy
PA Transition Conference 2024 & 2025 Dates
If you found this family and community engagement newsletter to be helpful, please share it with colleagues and families in your school, district, IU, or agency. Thank you!
The mission of the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) is to support the efforts and initiatives of the Bureau of Special Education, and to build the capacity of local educational agencies to serve students who receive special education services.