emPower
Accomplishing together what one cannot do alone!
Dear Students and Families,
It's hard to believe Spring is here with the winter storm we just had, but it is! With Spring comes a number of amazing events geared specifically for students with disabilities and their families. Please see below and mark your calendars to learn about the many amazing opportunities available in our county and throughout the state! Feel free to call or email me with any questions (920)793-4560 ext. 6504 or bridgett.klein@trschools.k12.wi.us.
Thank you!
Bridgett
Save the Date for the Manitowoc County Community on Transition's Disability Resource Fair!
Time: 5:30-7:30 PM
Where: Madison Elementary School
Parents and students of all ages are invited to attend the annual Disability Resource Fair. Families will have the opportunity to visit booths, gather information and speak with organizations/providers about available resources for students and young adults with special needs. Families, educators and providers are encouraged to attend.
Phone:
Please join us for our first ever Parent University!
April 19th, 2018
Two Rivers High School Cafetorium
5:00-7:30
Dinner Provided!
Parent University provides parents the opportunity to:
Network with other parents of students with disabilities.
Increase their knowledge on various topics impacting children and families with disabilities (the IEP process, guardianship, health care, employment, disability benefits, transition, inclusion, state/federal policy and legislation, etc.).
Learn about opportunities for youth with disabilities and their families.
Hear from community agencies about various supports available to children and families.
5:00-5:30 Dinner and Networking
5:30-6:30 Session I: Partnering with Schools
6:30-7:30 Session II: Transition or Navigating the IEP Process
The event is free, but pre-registration is required!
*RSVP to Bridgett Klein at bridgett.klein@trschools.k12.wi.us or (920) 793-4560 ext. 6504 by April 12th.
Manitowoc County to Host Parent Cafe April 24th
WANT TO MEET OTHER PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TO SHARE, LISTEN, AND COLLABORATE?
This Parent Café is a meeting for parents, and by parents, of students with special needs. The cafe is designed to create opportunities for parents of children with special needs to connect, share, and learn from each other so that they are able to meet the needs of their families.
Please join us!
When: APRIL 24
Time: 5:30—7:30 pm
Where: First Reformed United Church of Christ
3613 WALDO BLVD.
Manitowoc, WI 54220
- CHILD CARE PROVIDED!
- DINNER PROVIDED!
Parent Café is a collaboration of Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative and Manitowoc County Children’s Long Term Supports.
*Reservations Needed. Please call (920) 606-7792 and tell us your name and the number of adults and children coming.
Circles of Life Conference
REGISTRATION is now open for the 2018 Circles of Life Conference. The Circles of Life Conference is Wisconsin’s premier conference for families who have children with disabilities and professionals who support them. Connect with other families, learn from 30 break-out sessions, be inspired by our keynote and leave renewed, educated and energized to care for your children and partner with providers!
May 3 - 4, 2018 at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel, Appleton
www.circlesoflifeconference.com
See the Conference Brochure for a listing of all sessions and events!
- Bring the whole family and enjoy Family Fun Night!
- Youth with special needs can participate in “Gathering of Youth”
- Siblings (ages 8 – 17) can participate in “Sibshop”
Need Help Attending? Scholarships are available to pay for registration and hotel rooms! Contact John@elsieshaw.org.
Parents in Partnership: A Leadership Development Opportunity for Families of Children with Disabilities Ages 6-14
PIP is a statewide program in which a group of parents and other caregivers meet together five times during the year to share their family stories, challenges, joys and triumphs of raising their children. At PIP participants will learn about the community and statewide resources for children with disabilities; explore issues around health, education, policy making, legislation, inclusion, self-determination, family well-being, and IDEA Special Education Law.
The Program Assists Parents in Developing:
- Communication Skills
- Leadership Skills
- Positive Advocacy Skills
- Collaboration Skills
- Their own Community Action Plan
Who Can Sign Up?
- Parent(s), foster parent(s), or grandparent(s), who have children with disabilities ages 6-14
- Children must be receiving special education
- Those who have attended a PIP in the past are not eligible to attend
- Must be able to attend all five weekends
- Space is limited to 25 parents
Additional Information about PIP:
Parents in Partnership offers several trainings running concurrently throughout the state. Sessions run from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. The training is free of charge and is paid for with DPI IDEA Discretionary funds and WSPEI.
Click here to watch a short video about a PiP in Northwestern Wisconsin.
Click here to download a flyer for the 2018 - 2019 Neenah PiP
YIPPE: Youth in Partnership with Parents for Empowerment
Youth will learn how to make decisions and speak up for themselves. They will learn how to get involved in their schools and communities, prepare for college and/or work, meet other youth, make friends and have fun.
Parents will learn how to prepare for their youth's future. They will learn about transition topics like health care, employment, education, inclusion, legislation, and adult services. Parents will learn about valuable resources, collaborate with other parents of youth with disabilities, and work on their own community action plan.
YIPPE is FREE! Registration, food, overnight stay at Tundra Lodge and resources are paid with a DPI IDEA Discretionary Grant. Spaces are limited and parents should register by 9/17/18. Families are required to attend all 5 weekend sessions.
For more information, contact Julie Beckwith at beckwithj@cesa5.org or (608)745-5421. You can also visit the website at http://wspei.org/families/yippe.php.