Parent Leadership Hub
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Wisconsin Personnel Development System (WPDS)

Parent Leadership Hub Weekly
E-Newsletter

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Parent Leadership Hub Weekly E-Newsletter for March 12, 2009

The attached "Parent Leadership Hub" Weekly Email Update is sent to you from WSPEI and WI FACETS.   The Parent Leadership Hub supports parents/family members, educators and other community partners to build capacity regarding meaningful family involvement.   The Hub serves three primary purposes:
(1) To support parents of children with disabilities between birth and 26 years of age to participate as partners in the professional development activities of each of the other Statewide Initiatives as they design, deliver and support professional development experiences; and
(2) To facilitate opportunities for parents/family members to build leadership skills; and
(3)  To provide Content Focused technical assistance concerning family involvement.

Parent/Personnel Development Opportunities

  1. Deadline March 17, 2009 for Call for “Parents in Partnership” Proposals for 2009-2010
    With a new year upon us, it is time to begin planning for "Parents in Partnership" trainings for the 2009-2010 year. The 2009-2010 “Call for Parents in Partnership” proposal can be downloaded at http://www.dpi.wi.gov/sped/hmnew.html or http://www.dpi.wi.gov/sped/par_traing.html .

    Parents in Partnership (PIP) is a four or five part leadership opportunity for parents, foster parents, or other care givers who have children with special needs, 6-14 years old or youth with special needs 12-21 years old. Parents who participate have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, support networks, and positive parent-professional partnerships. PIP is sponsored by the Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative (WSPEI) of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction through federal special education discretionary funds. These proposals can be submitted from communities or parent groups that would like to host a Parents in Partnership training. A limited number of PIP trainings will be provided. Groups making a request must be able to identify 12 or more parents who have not attended a PIP and are willing to commit 4 to 5 weekends during the school year to the training. A weekend includes Friday 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The parents will have children or youth who have special needs who are in one of the age groups described above. Training for parents of 12-21 year olds will focus on transitioning from school to adult goals and services.

    Please Note: Parents who have attended a regular PIP for children 6-14 years of age can attend a transition PIP for youth ages 12-21. Parents who have already attended a transition PIP cannot attend YiPPE (Youth in Partnership with Parents for Empowerment).

    Proposals must be submitted by March 17, 2009 to:
    WSPEI
    Martha DeYoung
    P.O. Box 564
    Portage, WI 53901
    608/742-8814 ext. 255
    deyoungm@cesa5.k12.wi.us

  2. Keys to Success Parent/Educator Conference Sponsored by CESA #11 WSPEI Parent Educator Liaisons and CESA #11 School Districts
    Saturday, March 28, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Viking Middle School, 500 Southside Drive, Woodville, WI. For more information contact, Barb Garling, CESA #11 at 715-986-2020 ext. 2168. To view the brochure, go to http://www.cesa11.k12.wi.us/SpEd/PEC/Keys_brochure_2009.pdf.
  3. Understanding a Child’s Behavior: How Positive Behavioral Strategies can Support Children Through Challenging Times - Racine
    Saturday, April 4, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the Gateway Technical College – Racine, Conference Center, Superior Room. Learn the basics and how you can advocate for a plan to help your child succeed. Mark Sweet, PhD, from Disability Right Wisconsin, trainer & consultant will be presenting. To register, call The Arc at 262-634-6303 or for more information. Space is limited, please register early.
  4. CESA #1 Sponsored Workshops and Trainings – Spring 2009
    CESA #1 has several different workshops scheduled.
    March 18 Early Childhood Forums
    March 23 Effective Transition Planning for Students with Moderate to Severe Disabilities: Focusing on the Integrated and Customized Employment Option
    March 31 Communication Workshop: Do You Hear What I Hear?
    April 6 Strengthening Family-School Involvement Workshop
    April 20 Financial & Legal Considerations for Families With Special Needs Dependents
    April 28 Financial & Legal Considerations for Families With Special Needs Dependents
    May 7 Fundamentals of Family Involvement Workshop
    Go to http://www.cesa1.k12.wi.us/professional_development.cfm to view the calendar and to register.
  5. CHADD Support Group and Topics Specific Meetings - Wauwatosa
    What: Sponsored by SE Wisconsin CHADD Chapter. Prior to each parent meeting, there will be an informal support group meeting from 6:30-7:15. Topic specific meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. Meetings are for parents and family members of children with Attention Deficit Disorder w/ or w/o Hyperactivity. Teachers, counselors and other professionals are also invited to attend.
    When: March 17, 2009 Transitioning
      April 21, 2009 Summer Strategies
      May 19, 2009 Adult Panel
    Where: Community Conference Center; 8700 W. Watertown Plank Road, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
    Cost: Free.  
    Contact: Call 414-299-9442. Website: www.chadd.net/150.
  6. 2009 Spring Self-Advocacy Series - Wauwatosa
    What: These workshops are for parents, educators, service providers, and especially transition-aged students with disabilities. Plan on attending all three sessions!
    Sponsored by Wisconsin FACETS and IndependenceFirst.
    Thursday, March 26th, 2009; 6:00-8:00 p.m. (Self Advocacy and the IEP: Why is it important to be involved in your IEP?)
    Monday, April 6th, 2009; 6:00-8:00 p.m. (Self Advocacy and Personal Relationships: How to Talk to people about your relationships, boundaries, and personal space.)
    Thursday, April 23rd, 2009; 6:00-8:00 p.m. (Self Advocacy and Public Policy: Hear from advocates with experience in legislative advocacy and policy change.)
    Where: Wauwatosa District Offices; 12121 W. North Avenue, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.
    Cost: Free. Pre-register.
    Contact: Call Jenny Stonemeier at 414-374-4645, ext. 111 or e-mail at jstonemeier@wifacets.org.
  7. Urban Autism Summit - Milwaukee
    What: Join for roundtable discussions on improving access to autism treatment services among underserved populations in our community. They need your experience; your perspective and your ideas as we develop an action plan to address this vitally important issue. The summit is bringing together educators, parents, day care providers, medical and health professionals and legislators to brainstorm strategies for timely diagnosis and easier access to treatment for low-income children in Milwaukee. Sponsored by MCFI, SEDA, WI FACETS, and Autism Society of SE WI.
    When: Wednesday, April 29th, 2009. 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
    Where: MCFI Conference Center, 2020 West Wells Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
    Contact: To reserve a place at the table, please RSVP to Amy Lanphear at alanphear@mcfi.net. Seating is limited.
    Questions: Call Mary Stone at SEDA, 414.937.3792.
  8. Strengthening Family Involvement Workshop – CESA 2
    March 25, 2009 at CESA #2, 448 E. High Street, Milton, WI from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
    Topics to be covered:
    - Keys to Successful School/Family Partnerships: Facing our Fears—Communication and Collaboration
    - Families and Teachers in Problem Solving
    - How Family Friendly Are We?
    - Parent Representatives on School Leadership Teams
    Go to http://www.cesa2.k12.wi.us/sharona/families.pdf for more information.

Trainings Available On The Web

  1. Free Webinar-The Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act: Its Impact on Students with LD and ADHD
    Wednesday, March 18, 2009 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. (EDT)
    Join Matt Cohen, Esq., a Chicago-based attorney and national advocate for children with disabilities to learn how the revised law will strengthen interpretation of the requirements under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and improve access to accommodations under the ADAA and Section 504 for students and young adults with LD and/or AD/HD. For more information, go to https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/schedule/display.do?udc=1fgx6lbrqb4e3

Family Involvement Resources

  1. The Parent Leadership Hub is Now Available Online!
    Go to http://wispdg.org/pl/e-news.html to view the past or current issues of the Parent Leadership Hub Weekly E-mail.
  2. The Peer Power Program
    The Peer Power Program is an innovative program for youth in transition. Independent Living Center Wisconsin is offering grants for local agencies. The link with information and application is available at: http://www.wcdd.org/grants_contracts/2009/Peer_Power_RFP.pdf
  3. IEP Resource – “Your First IEP Meeting – A Parent’s Guide”
    IEP Resource “Your First IEP Meeting-A Parent’s Guide” from Schwab Learning can be found at http://www.partnerstx.org/PDF/e_guide_iep.pdf
  4. New Document – Special Education Eligibility Criteria & Evaluation for Other Health Impairment (OHI)
    A new document, Special Education Eligibility Criteria and Evaluation for Other Health Impairment (OHI), is now available at http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/doc/ohi-evaluation-guide.doc.  The guide is a working document, and they are inviting comments until May 15, 2009.  A final document will posted in Summer 2009.  Please send comments to Lynn Boreson, WDPI OHI Consultant, P.O. Box 7841, Madison, WI 53707-7841, or via email to lynn.boreson@dpi.wi.gov

DISCLAIMER
Inclusion of information in this e-mail does not constitute an endorsement by the Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative, Wisconsin FACETS, the Department of Public Instruction, the U.S. Department of Education, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.