Wisconsin Personnel Development System (WPDS)

Parent Leadership Hub Weekly E-Newsletter for March 26, 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. Student Panel and Biotechnology Workshop - Madison
   A student panel and workshop for high school students with disabilities of any kind will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, March 27th, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This event will provide information on post secondary education opportunities, as well give a hands-on tour of the Biotechnology Center.
   Registration is free, and open to the public.  Limited spots are still available - please consider bringing your students in a group!  Visit the link below to sign up: http://stemmidwest.org/default.asp?contentID=564

2. Progress and Legacy Celebration - Madison
   Maureen Arcand’s 80th Birthday Celebration, Thursday, April 30th from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (program 5:00 p.m.) at Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa Street, Madison, WI. Maureen was born 80 years ago when children with disabilities like hers were sent to institutions. Maureen has been breaking new ground for 80 years: mother of six, welfare rights organizer, community leader, home owner, disability advocate, county board supervisor, mentor, teacher, researcher on aging and cerebral palsy, and past president of Movin’ Out, Inc. For more information, go to http://www.movin-out.org/index.html

3. Building Family-School Partnerships - Portage
   Module #3: District Showcase; Indicator 8; Goal Setting & Planning
   During this module, individual school districts will be given the opportunity to showcase the ideas and strategies they used to encourage family-school partnerships during the school year. Pat Bober, DPI Parent Involvement Consultant, Special Education Team will discuss Indicator 8 results and strategies. There will also be planning time for setting goals for the upcoming school year.
   

   Wednesday, May 13, 2009	Location: CESA #5, Portage
   Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.	Fee: $15.00/session

   
   Questions about workshop content? Contact Martha DeYoung at 608-742-8814 ext 255 or e-mail deyoungm@cesa5.k12.wi.us
   Questions about workshop registration? Contact Jo Ann Senzig at 608-742-8814 ext 272 or e-mail senzigj@cesa5.k12.wi.us
   To register, log on to www.mycesa.k12.wi.us

4. Two Day Workshop for Students with Disabilities and Parents – Illinois
   Exploration by Design: How Stuff Works, June 24-25, 2009 at the I Hotel Conference Center, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. Hosted by the Midwest Alliance, How Stuff Works is an immersion experience for students with disabilities who are interested in science, social sciences, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Dr. John Murphy, a Researcher in the Department of Engineering Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will guide participants in hands-on activities, experiments and discussions to uncover the inner workings of stuff. Parents and guardians are invited to a concurrent two-day program to learn more about opportunities for students with disabilities and STEM and how to support the transition to postsecondary education and careers. Includes time to explore the U of I campus. Learn more and register online at www.stemmidwest.org.
5. Family Support 360 Learning Circles - Madison
   When: April 25, May 23, June 22 , July 25 , August 22, September 26, October 24, November 28 and December 14.  The learning circles take place from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
   Where:  South Madison Health & Family Center - Harambee.  Villager Shopping Center 2202 S. Park Street, Madison, WI 53713
   Description:  Learning Circles are an opportunity for families with children with disabilities or service providers who care for children with disabilities to learn more about working with "the system."  Contact Tracy Rockow trockow@smhfc-harambee.com or call at (608) 261-9139.
   

Family Involvement Resources

1. Culturally Responsive Education Resources
   Culturally Responsive Education for All: Training and Enhancement (CREATE) is a statewide system-change initiative designed to close the achievement gap between diverse students and eliminate race as a predictor of participation in special education.  CREATE will work with local systems to address ingrained school practices that contribute to perpetuating disparities in access to learning. CREATE provides technical assistance and professional development to schools and their communities.  CESA 4 WSPEI parent liaison Colleen Mulder and WSPEI special education director Tom Potterton are part of the CREATE project staff. For current and archived monthly e-newsletters and other resources, please visit http://createwisconsin.net/
2. University of IA REACh Program for Students with Cognitive Disabilities
   REACH (Realizing Educational and Career Hopes) is a two-year certificate program for young adults (18-25) with learning and cognitive disabilities.  Students live in the residence halls and participate in university and community life.  Core aspects of REACH include: Academic Enhancement, Career Development Skills and Internships,
   Community Integration, Interpersonal and Social Skills, University Residential Life, Advising and Life Skills Support, Computer Training and E-portfolios®, and Post Program Employment Support. Applications are now being accepted for Fall 2009.  enrollment is limited. Visit our web site at www.education/uiowa.edu/reach
   
   

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.