The Family Resource Group Sept 2022
August 12th, 2022
Happy 2023!
Happy New Year! It is always exciting to start a new year. We hope wonderful things are ahead for you and your family. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at any time. To be sure that you continue to receive all future updates, or information, directly to your email address, sign up on the Family Resource Group mailing list.
Erin Campion
Family Resource Group Editor
For the Winter
AG BELL Parent Chat
"Begin the new year with AG Bell's January Parent Chat session on Thursday, January 19, 8:00pm ET. Titled "Understanding the ABCs and 123s of IEPs! What's Your Question?".
Parents often leave meetings with more questions than they went in with. Join Alex Mestres, a teacher of the deaf and educational specialist, as we slow it down, talk about the process, and answer some of the burning questions you may have about IEPs or 504 plans.
All Parent Chat sessions will be conducted in English. Register here today!
Parent Chats are designed and intended for parents/family members; we kindly ask that only parent/family members attend. "Questions? Email Julie Swaim at parentsupport@agbell.org or call her directly at 202-204-4680.
Universal Design for Learning From CAST
"Session 1: UDL for Parents & Guardians Monday, January 23, 2023 6:30 – 7:30 pm ET
Parents and guardians play an essential role in a student’s support team. In this session designed with caregivers in mind, we will provide an overview of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) for parents/caregivers and offer information to empower them to be the best advocates for their children in support of inclusion, access, and equity. Please join us as we meet Alison, a parent on her own UDL journey to see what more we can do together to support students and families until learning has no limits.This webinar is part 1 of our 3-part Winter Learning Series, Universally Designed Systems of Support: Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Register for Session 1 Visit our Webinar Series page to watch archived webinars, register for future events, and access other helpful resources from the California Coalition for Inclusive Literacy (CCIL)."
2023 Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Conference
Family Scholarship Applications due Feb 1, 2023
The 2023 "Making a Difference: Educational Practices That Work!" is being held March 1-3, 2023 at Hershey Lodge and Convention Center OR through a virtual webinar. Families are invited to attend and learn from the speakers. There is a Family Scholarship that is available to family members who want to attend in person and to those that want to attend virtually. The application and additional information are here. Here is the schedule of events and some frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ).
Special Session at PDE Conference, In Person or Virtual
The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education is pleased to announce the following training opportunity:
Collaborative and Proactive Solutions
Based on research in the neurosciences over the past 30 years, the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) model posits that challenging behavior is the result of lagging cognitive skills, especially in the domains of flexibility/adaptability, frustration tolerance, and problem-solving. CPS helps adults and kids solve the problems precipitating challenging behavior and simultaneously teaches kids the skills they’re lacking. Participants in this workshop will leave with an understanding of the underpinnings of the CPS model and practical assessment and intervention tools that can be brought back to and used in these diverse settings. The training is relevant for both professionals, as well as for parents.
Date and Time: March 1, 2023, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm Registration Information. Please Note: This event is separate from the PDE Conference. To receive credit for this event, you must register separately.
Conflict Resolution Skills for Schools and Families
This training will focus on skills to successfully resolve conflicts and communicate well throughout a child's educational experience. Topics covered will include: introduction to conflict resolution; conflict management styles and self-assessment; communication skills; perceptions and attitudes; and a six-step conflict engagement model. Join the webinar on March 20, 2023, 9am - 12pm.
For the Spring
NTID Outreach
"Registration is now open for the annual competitions for deaf and hard-of-hearing high school students—Digital Arts, Film, and Animation, and SpiRIT Writing. Digital Arts, Film, and Animation is for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in 9-12th grades as of spring 2023. Students can submit original artwork in one of six categories: web design, graphic media, film, 3D animation, interactive media, and photo imaging. SpiRIT Writing is for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in 10th and 11th grade as of spring 2023. To participate, students submit a writing project of up to 2,000 words—a fictional story, a research paper, an autobiography—any topic they’d like! We are also giving students the option to submit an art or writing project based on deaf author Ilya Kaminsky’s novel, Deaf Republic. Students may request a copy of Deaf Republic shipped to them – be sure to contact us for the book! Students may submit completed works as described above or based on the novel.
Both competitions offer a chance to win a cash prize! Students can sign up for one competition or both. Registration for both competitions will remain open until March 15, 2023."
For the Summer
Summer Academy for Students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing
The 2023 DHH Summer Academy for students who are d/hh is now accepting applications. The program will be held on July 16-26, 2023 at Penn State Main Campus. The application and additional information are here, on the flyer attached below, or feel free to contact Russ Goddard, Program Director, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Summer Academy.
Phone: 724-936-5076 | VP: 717.831.0336 | Fax: 724.656.3265 | TTY: 724.656.3252
E-Mail: rgoddard@pa.gov
Camp Hero
"Camp Hero is a camp for children ages 8 through 17 who are deaf and hard of hearing. All forms of communication are supported at Camp HERO. The camp promotes social growth, creativity, self-expression and self-confidence. The campers enjoy activities such as swimming, paddle boating, fishing, rock wall climbing, bonfires, scavenger hunts, crafts, activities associated with the yearly theme, and building friendships that will last a lifetime. Camp HERO is located at the Camp Victory facility in Millville, PA. Please visit http://campvictory.org/ for more information about Camp Victory." MONDAY JUL 31st- FRIDAY AUGUST 4th, 2023
Leadership Opportunities for Teems (LOFT)
The Leadership Opportunities for Teens (LOFT) program is a leadership program, designed by AGBell, for high school students (ages 15 to 18 years old) who are deaf and hard of hearing. The in-person session will take place in Washington, D.C., July 12-16.
Learning Experience and Adventure Program (LEAP)
The Learning Experience and Adventure Program (LEAP), from AGBell, offers the opportunity for students in grades 6, 7, and 8 (ages 11 to 14 years old) to virtually connect with other students who are deaf or hard of hearing and use listening and spoken language to communicate! Several sessions are offered through the year.
New Animated Videos about ALL the IEP Team Members
Have you ever wondered who should be at an IEP meeting? Or, why someone was at the IEP meeting? Or, whether someone else should be at the IEP meeting? Check out this new series of short animated videos that explains the many people who can, or should be, part of the IEP team. The Family Member is an important team member! Two new videos are released each week until the series is complete. Follow PaTTAN on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn to see the new releases or check out this YouTube playlist to see them all! Don't miss the Student Video that is coming, they are the focus of the team! In addition to the ones that were featured last month, the Teacher of the Deaf, the Speech Language Pathologist, and Paraprofessional videos were released this month!
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.