SEPAC presents "Basic Rights in Special Education" on March 12 at 5 pm

Basic Rights in Special Education, presented by SEPAC.  

Please mark your calendars and join us for this informative workshop for parents and professionals.  

Monday March 12, 2018 @ 5:00 PM
ARHS Library.  

RSVP to SEPAC@ARPS.org or call (413) 687-4255.

Basic Rights in Special Education - English
Basic Rights in Special Education - Spanish 

Family Educational Series: Planning for the Future of Children With Developmental Disabilities

community notice:

Learn about putting together a system that will ensure quality care and support for your special needs child to the end of her or his life. Trusts? Guardians? Medicaid? Quality of life? Learn what you need to know in this series of lunchtime webinars—online presentations and live Q&A sessions with an attorney to help you figure it all out. As a new member of the Hampshire Valley, attorney Pamela Parker will be providing the following educational seminars free of charge to the local community. They are geared toward helping parents of children with developmental disabilities learn and navigate current and future needs. As a parent of three children with disabilities, Parker is committed to helping families of all backgrounds plan for their children’s future needs.  

Family Contributions for Future Support of Individuals With Developmental Disabilities: Special Needs Trusts

Seminar: January 16, 12:30 p.m.

Able Accounts, Sources of Funding, Use of Funds in a Special Needs Trust: 

Seminar/ Open Q&A: January 30, 12:30 p.m.

Day-to-Day Care and Assistance for Individuals With Developmental Disabilities: 

Guardians, Trustees, and Other Personal Care Helpers

Seminar: February 13, 12:30 p.m.
Additional Issues/Open Q&A: February 27, 12:30 p.m.

PO Box 3685

Amherst, MA 01004

413.203.9358

Legal@parkercounsel.com

ParkerCounsel.com

BASIC RIGHTS In Special Education Workshop on November 9

You are invited . . .BASIC RIGHTS In Special Education

Thursday, November 9, 2017.

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

ARHS Library

Please RSVP to SEPAC@arps.org or call (413) 687-4255.

This workshop provides families with an introduction to their rights and responsibilities under:

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Massachusetts Special Education Law
SEPAC: Basic Rights in Special Education

Looking into the Future for a Child with Autism from NYT

Local author Cammie McGovern recently wrote for the NY Times about her son’s transition from high school to the real world, and about the yearly struggle to articulate a vision for our children with disabilities.

To read the article, click here.

ARPS Special Education Services Family Survey

Dear Parents/Guardians of Students with Special Education Services,

This year the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional School Districts have hired an independent consulting firm, Public Consulting Group, to conduct a survey of our special education services. All parents/guardians of students who are currently on an IEP are asked to provide feedback through an anonymous survey. Please know that your feedback will help to improve special education services across the district. The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. If you have more than one child currently on an IEP, we ask that you complete a separate survey for each child. Please access the survey online until May 26th at: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3532203/Special-Education-Parent-Guardian-Survey

If you have any questions, please check in the main office at your child’s school or call the Student Services Office at 413-362-1834. Thank you in advance for your time and invaluable input.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael Morris

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Queridos Padres/ Guardianes de Estudiantes con Servicios de Educación Especial,

Este año Amherst, Pelham y los Distritos Escolares Regionales de Amherst-Pelham han empleado a una empresa de consultoría independiente para conducir una evaluación completa de nuestros servicios de educación especial. Se le está pidiendo a todos los padres/guardianes de estudiantes que están actualmente en un IEP que provean su opinión a través de una encuesta anónima. Por favor sepa que su opinión ayudará a mejorar los servicios de educación especial a través del distrito. La encuesta debería tomar aproximadamente 15 minutos para completar. Si usted tiene a más de un niño actualmente en un IEP, pedimos que usted complete una encuesta separada para cada niño. Por favor, tendrá acceso a la encuest a en línea hast a el 26 de m ayo Español:

Español: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3532203/Spanish

Inglés: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3532203/Special-Education-Parent-Guardian-Survey

Si usted tiene alguna pregunta, por favor valla a la oficina general de la escuela de su niño o llame a la Oficina de Educación Especial al 413-362-1834. Gracias de antemano por su tiempo y colaboración inestimable.

Sinceramente,

Dr. Michael Morris

Meet Special Education Parent Advisory Council and others on October 17 at 5:30pm

SEPAC meetings are open to all community members! Come learn more about the programs and services available to all families!

Date: Monday, 10/17/2016
Location: Wildwood Elementary School, Library 71 Strong Street, Amherst
Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm
RSVP: Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Nancy Stewart sepac@arps.org 413-687-4255 ARPS

We are fortunate to host this informal gathering and plan to do the following:

• Introduce you to some members of staff that help support your child on an IEP or 504:
• Dr. Faye Brady, Director of Student Services
• JoAnn Smith, Student Services Administrator
• Some members of Wildwood Staff
• Learn more about how the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) supports families on an IEP or 504.
• We will share basic special education information to help you advocate for your child.
• Network with other families in the district!

Childcare can be provided if given notice one week ahead of time.

IEP Workshop For Parents and Educators on December 7 at 5:30pm

IEP Clinic: A Workshop for Parents and Educators will be held on Monday, December 7, 2015 at Amherst Regional High School, Room 13 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.

Every child with a disability who receives special education services must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This workshop takes parents and educators step-by-step through IEP development, including how to articulate a vision, using evaluations to write measurable goals, and measuring their child’s progress.

The last hour and a half will consist of a round table discussion with volunteer Educational Advocates. Feel free to bring your child’s IEP.
Contact: Nancy Stewart 413-687-4255 or sepac@arps.org with any questions.

Sponsored by: Pelham, Amherst and Amherst-Pelham Regional Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), Pelham, Amherst and Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools and the Federation for Children with Special Needs.