LCISD PAC Newsletter

2022 Winter Newsletter - Edition 2 of 3

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Happy Winter From The LCISD Parent Advisory Committee

The Lapeer County Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is a group of educators and parents representing our local school districts whose primary focus is to stay informed regarding Special Education plans and changes, current trends in Special Education at the County, State, and Federal level, and if needed, to assist and promote partnerships among parents and educators that benefit students with disabilities.

The PAC takes an active role in the development of the Lapeer County Special Education Mandatory Plan, a document which describes the delivery of special education services in Lapeer County. The PAC provides workshops and speakers from the county and Statewide programs which can richly serve not only the parents of children with special needs, but in many instances the individual with the disability.

FEBRUARY PAC PRESENTATION

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Guardianship - Supported Decision-Making

Live Virtual Presentation- February 7, 2022 - 6:00-8:00PM

Join us for a two-hour presentation focused on maintaining an individuals’ right to an autonomous life. Get the facts, gain more knowledge, and increase your skill level when addressing how to support decision-making with people with intellectual & developmental disabilities (I/DD).


Learning Objectives:

• Get information on ways to support people with I/DD when making decisions

• Receive facts about Supported Decision-Making

• Learn how Supported Decision-Making upholds civil rights


The online seminar will occur on February 7, 2022

It will be delivered using the Zoom platform, from 6pm-8pm


Participants will receive a variety of tools including a video, brochure, and additional resources to use and share with families and individuals they work with.


FREE-VIRTUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY


  • If you need assistance filling this out, contact: shehanboogaardm@michigan.gov
  • Zoom links and materials will be provided 1 day prior to the start of the event for those who have registered.

PREVIOUS PAC MEETING

Post Secondary Transition Planning - Including A Parent Perspective

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Timing Guide & Hyperlinks to Presenter Handouts

This timing guide lists 7 presenters, the organization or agencies they work for, and an overview of information they shared pertaining to post-secondary transition planning.

PAC MEETING DATES & TOPICS FOR 2022

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PARENT RESOURCE

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OAR

Who Are We?

We are the Organization for Autism Research, better known as OAR. OAR is an organization founded and led by parents and grandparents of children with autism, who serve as the Board of Directors providing leadership, life experience, and heart.


About OAR

The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) was created in December 2001 – the product of the shared vision and unique life experiences of OAR’s seven founders. Led by these parents and grandparents of children and adults on the autism spectrum, OAR set out to use applied science to answer questions that parents, families, individuals with autism, teachers and caregivers confront daily.


https://youtu.be/YwogFlZK8m8



Post Secondary Scholarship Opportunities:

$3,000 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR AUTISTIC STUDENTS

Current status: OPEN until May 2, 2022.

ONLINE APPLICATION



Below are just some of the resources you can find on the OAR website:

https://researchautism.org/

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Michigan Alliance for Families News & Updates

PARENT LEADERSHIP SERIES

Parents of young children are invited to join us for Building Parent Leadership starting February 24.

NEW GUIDANCE: GRADUATION DECISIONS

This new document from MDE supports IEP Teams in developing an individualized plan for graduation over a multi-year time frame.

SPECIAL EDUCATION STATE COMPLAINTS VIDEO

Our latest video Special Education State Complaints is now available.


Early On® Spotlight

Early On services, like special education services, have certain protections. As parents, we can best explain how to help our child if we know what those protections or rights are and how to utilize them when we disagree.


Those protections are called Procedural Safeguards. To learn more about what they are, you can head to our website using the link below. Have a specific question? Contact us at 1-800-552-4821.


Know Your Rights - Procedural Safeguards


En Español

Las familias que hablan español ahora pueden comunicarse con Michigan Alliance for Families en nuestra nueva línea de Información y Referencia para hablar directamente con nuestro personal que habla español. Contáctenos en español a 313-217-1060 o info@michiganallianceforfamilies.org.


Spanish-speaking families can now contact Michigan Alliance for Families on our new Information and Referral line to speak directly with our Spanish-speaking staff. Contact us at 313-217-1060 or info@michiganallianceforfamilies.org.


Upcoming Michigan Alliance for Families Events

February 3 Collecting Academic and Behavior Data at Home with Special Education Mediation Services, 12:00-1:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/ycy76cpe

February 4 and 11 Why More Education on Sensory Processing Disorders Is Needed with Sally Burton-Hoyle 1:00-2:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3bax59ku

February 7 IEP: A Closer Look with Stephanie Nicholls 1:00-2:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2p8cphun

February 9 Transition from School to Adulthood with Chesley Giertz 7:00-8:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yckmccuj

February 17 Special Education Mediation Services – The Who, What, Where, When & How 12:00-1:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2p8n69r2

February 24 Rethinking Guardianship: Supported Decision Making with Dohn Hoyle 12:30-2:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2p8tzxbz

February 24 and March 3, 10, 17 Building Parent Leadership Skills in Early Childhood, for parents of children birth-5 who receive/received Early On® services, 7:00-8:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/229arffv


Visit our calendar of events for full details and to register!

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What is Family Voices?

Vision

With families at the center of health care, all children and youth reach their full potential and health disparities are eliminated.



Mission

Family Voices is a national organization and grassroots network of families and friends of children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities that promotes partnership with families–including those of cultural, linguistic and geographic diversity—in order to improve healthcare services and policies for children.



Website: https://familyvoices.org/

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Michigan Family to Family Health Information Center

WHO WE ARE


There are many people who help MI F2F serve the families of children with special health care needs throughout the state. Learn more about them here.


Website: https://f2fmichigan.org/


Resources, information and education for children and youth with special health care needs, the families who love them and the professionals who support them.

We have hundreds of resources at the local, state, and national level. Use the Search Box to the right (or below on mobile devices) to search by keywords. Search by Category for a list of popular topics. Looking for something close to you? Our repository is organized by Michigan Counties. Search by County to select your county or multiple counties near you.

Learn more about our resource repository and how you can help it grow.

Additional Parent Resources & Opportunitites

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Winter 2022 Michigan Family Connections Newsletter

A combined publication of the Michigan Family to Family Health Information Center and the Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs. We hope you enjoy it, and we encourage you to share with your networks.

You may also view or share the newsletter from the MI Family to Family website at the following link:

https://f2fmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Michigan-Connections-Newsletter-Winter-2022.pdf



Conference:

Father Engagement in Families of Children with Special Needs:

An insider’s perspective for fathers, mothers, caregivers, and those who support families of children with special needs.

The conference will be held via Zoom on Saturday, March 19, 2022, from 9am to Noon EST.


This conference is open to parents, caregivers, and professionals who live in Michigan.

There will be three sessions each featuring two Special Fathers Network (SFN) Mentor Fathers, a panel presentation followed by a breakout discussion:

1) Respite & Marriage

- Brian Page, Homewood, IL

- Rick Daynes, San Diego, CA

2) Grieving The Life Anticipated

- Josh Jacobs, Farmington Hills, Ml

- Jarrell Roach, Lincoln, NE

3) Siblings & Family Balance

- Lenn Boston, Kalamazoo, Ml

- Scott Newport, Royal Oak, Ml

The cost of the conference is $10.00 and with each registration you will receive a resource packet and a Great Dad Coin.

To Register Please Go To: https://www.eventbrite.com/MIDADSCONF120421

For any questions, please reach out to Lisa Huckleberry at 517-335-0407 or huckleberryl@michigan.gov.



Parent Mentor Training:

FREE Virtual Saturday Parent Mentor Training

Our training will take place on Saturday, February 12, from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm EST on Microsoft Teams. In our interactive Parent Mentor Training, learn from a fellow parent about:

  • Parent-to-Parent Support
  • Communication Skills
  • Listening Techniques
  • Community Resources

Registration for this event can be completed at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saturday-parent-mentor-training-tickets-198433157917

Please contact Dawn Adkins by email (Adkinsd@michigan.gov) with any

questions.



Siblings Facilitator Training:

Virtual Introduction to Sibshops and Sibshop Facilitator Training

Tuesday, May 17, 2022, through Friday, May 20, 2022.

Emily Holl, Director of the Sibling Support Project will lead the training!

What are Sibshops?

Sibshops are celebrations of the many contributions made by siblings of kids with special needs. Sibshops acknowledge that being the sibling of a person with special needs is for some a good thing, others a not-so-good thing, and for many, somewhere in between. They reflect a belief that siblings have much to offer one another – if they are given a chance. Sibshops are a spirited mix of new games, new friends and discussion activities.

Who Should Attend?

Facilitator Training – Anyone interested in sibling issues, who would like to learn how to run a Sibshop of their own. Attendees interested in becoming a facilitator must attend all 4 days of the Sibshop training (Tuesday, May 17th through Friday, May 20th).

Introduction to Sibshops – Parents, caregivers, service providers, educators, community partners, Local Health Department staff, etc. Attendees who would like to know more about Sibshops and sibling issues, but not interested in how to run a Sibshop would attend this training, the first 3 days (Tuesday, May 17th through Thursday, May 19th).

Unique Concerns-Day 1: Participants will learn about many characteristics of brothers and sisters of people with special needs, including their unique concerns and opportunities.

This will help participants obtain a well-rounded understanding of what it's like being a sibling of someone with special needs across the lifespan.

Unique Opportunities-Day 2: This session presents the many opportunities siblings experience. There will be a discussion of what parents and professionals can do to minimize sibs' concerns and maximize opportunities.

Panel of Adult Siblings-Day 3: A powerful way to learn about sibling issues is to hear from the "real experts". A panel of adult brothers and sisters will share their experiences, insights, and suggestions for parents and providers.

All About Sibshops-Day 4: Sibshops are kid-friendly workshops as rewarding to run as they are to attend. Participants will learn the logistics of planning and implementing a local Sibshop, and Sibshop goals and related recreational, discussion, and educational activities. Trainees will observe online Demonstration Sibshop activities with young brothers and sisters, and receive the materials and know-how to start, plan, and facilitate Sibshops.

For additional details and registration, please click the link below or contact the Family Center at 800-359-3722.

The registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/michigan-introduction-to-sibshops-and-sibshop-facilitator-training-tickets-237766404717



Camp Scholarship:

Camp Scholarship opportunity!

Camps scholarships are not just limited to face to face, virtual camps are considered as well.

Effective immediately, we would like to invite families to apply to receive a Camp Scholarship for up to $250.


  • The Camp Scholarship is designed to assist families with sending their child with special health care needs to a camp of their choosing.
  • Applications are being accepted now through the end of March 2022.
  • Applicants do not have to be enrolled in Children’s Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) to be eligible for a camp scholarship.
  • Families will be required to submit a completed Camp Scholarship Application along with an Attendance Registration Form, which will need to be filled out by the Camp Director.
  • We are attaching the required forms as one PDF file. Please feel free to share this with families within your network or families may request the forms through the Family Phone Line at 800-359-3722. Funding is limited, so please encourage families to apply as soon as possible.

Special Olympics Polar Plunge!

Michigan Special Olympics Polar Plunge - Lapeer Center Building - March 5, 2022

The 2022 Lapeer Polar Plunge is right around the corner!!

The Lapeer Polar Plunge is back for 2022! Don’t forget to bring cash for the raffles, food & beverages, plunge swag and so much more! You’re not going to want to miss this!!


11:00am – 1:00pm: Registration

1:00pm: Plunge

Awards & After Splash Bash immediately following the plunge

You can find more information about the Lapeer Polar Plunge by clicking on the QR code:

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Too Chicken to Plunge?

Are you Too Chicken to Plunge? Don't worry...there's a shirt for that! You can buy your shirt now under registration by clicking the link below and pick it up the day of event. We will also have limited sizes for sale during the event. Even if you are 'Too Chicken' you can raise money and earn the same incentive items as the plungers, but you don't even need to get wet!

give.classy.org/lapeer22

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EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, & MENTAL WELLNESS

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Lapeer Community Rec Center - Special Needs Social Group

Just a reminder this schedule is for anyone with special needs (students and adults) that would like to participate in any of these social activities. If you have any questions please contact Aubrey Knight, formerly Aubrey Frederickson.


Aubry Knight

Special Needs Program Coordinator

(586) 343-9316


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InPACT

InPACT at Home is a home-based physical activity program designed to motivate students and entire families to get moving for 60 minutes a day. Our workout videos provide fun, easy ways to do a short workout with little to no equipment. Now get up and get moving with InPACT at Home. You’ll be surprised what these moments of movement can do for you and the rest of your family.
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Playcards - A FUN Way to Get Moving

Checkout the playcard topics listed below. Simply create a free parent account online to access all of the FREE InPACT resources.

https://inpactathome.umich.edu/


Topics Include Fun Activities For:


  • Mindfulness
  • Strength
  • Cardio
  • With A Buddy
  • Flexibility
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FREE Toolkits

These toolkits are available for download and cover a wide variety of topics that all families will find helpful.

Topics include:

  • Lifelong Skills
  • Sleep
  • Family Teambuilding
  • Family Discussions
  • Focus
  • Resilience
  • Nutrition
  • Feeling Good


FREE Mental Health Resources

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Stay Well

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES


If you're feeling emotional distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, get free, confidential support from a Michigan Stay Well counselor.

Dial 1-888-535-6136 and press "8" - available 24/7.



Creative Coping - An Art Based Workshop for Kids & Parents
Foster your child's emotional development.
Learn more and register here.



To help Michiganders through the mental health challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services offers emotional support through the Stay Well program (see options below).


Register for any of the support groups below at: https://michigan.gov/StayWell

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Lapeer County ISD does not endorse any particular agency, organization, or resource listed above. The resources listed above are intended to be informational for parents.


The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and transgender identity), disability, age, marital or family status, genetic information, height, weight, military status, ancestry, or any other statutorily protected category (“collectively “Protected Classes”) in its programs, activities, or employment.