Family Engagement March 2023
February 2023
Families and schools working together, because our students are worth it!
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
March also brings attention to...
March 1 - ZERO DISCRIMINATION DAY
March 1st, Zero Discrimination Day celebrates the right of everyone to live their life with dignity, including living a full and productive life. The day also highlights inclusion, compassion, and becoming a movement for change to end all forms of discrimination... Sadly, people with sickness and disabilities are also discriminated against. Read more...
Be sure to attend the family engagement sessions!
March 1:
2:45 p.m. Engage Every Family: Setting the Stage for Authentic Family Engagement, Dr. Steven Constantino
2:45 p.m. Creating a Sense of Belonging: The Art of Nurturing the Family-Professional Partnership, Tracy Gershwin, Ph.D., BCBA-D
4:00 p.m. Leadership for Authentic Family Engagement, Dr. Steven Constantino
4:00 p.m. Bringing Balance: How to Promote Equitable Practices with Families of Students with Disabilities, Tracy Gershwin, Ph.D., BCBA-D
March 3:
8:30 a.m. Schools’ Support for Parents of Student with Disabilities: Statewide Survey Results, Batya Elbaum, Ph.D.
9:45 a.m. Schools’ Support for Parents of Student with Disabilities: It Takes Teamwork, Batya Elbaum, Ph.D. (Hear from school teams!)
And don't miss the special pre-conference event with Dr. Ross Greene, Collaborative and Proactive Solutions!
March 1, 2023, 11:00 - 12:00 Webinar
Virtual registration is still open - REGISTER HERE.
Introducing a new 'FACE' in the Pennsylvania Department of Education
PaTTAN is very excited to welcome the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Program --a statewide family engagement team! They will support all school communities in PA to enhance family-school-community partnerships, including students with and without disabilities, their families, educators, and community members.
The Mission and Vision of FACE is to strive to ensure learning communities across Pennsylvania have the support they need to succeed as they grow and develop. FACE provides resources, supports, and opportunities to build and grow family leadership and advocacy skills and enhance bi-directional communication, trust, and belonging in learning communities.
PDE will promote and support equitable and culturally responsive family and community engagement experiences focused on equity, inclusion, and belonging for all learners and families throughout the Commonwealth.
Meet Clarisa Rosario and Samantha Rusho, Family and Community Engagement Specialists!
Clarisa Rosario
Samantha Rusho
Samantha - "I’m passionate about this work in family and community engagement so that young learners and families can grow in a more positive, healthier, and equitable environment, then when I was raised in."
Contact FACE Specialists: ra-edengagefamilies@pa.gov
Don't Miss These Upcoming Family Engagement Opportunities!
Conflict Resolution Skills for Schools and Families Webinar
Conflict Resolution Skills for Schools and Families 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.
March 20, 2023, 9:00 am - 12:00 p.m. OR May 3, 2023, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Health Matters: Supporting Children & Youth with Disabilities - Two Opportunities from the PEAL Center!
Lancaster or Virtual - In-person, Virtual, or Youth sessions, March 23, 2023, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Pittsburgh - In-person or Youth sessions; April 20, 2023, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
At this conference, over 3,000 participants will engage in an abundance of learning and networking opportunities designed to increase their knowledge of family engagement and Community Schools, sharpen their skillsets to lead collaboratively, and implement effective strategies. Learn more...
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.