… the latest updates and announcements for special education and more in Scottsdale, Arizona

Please come to our next SEPACS Meeting.  This will be a most informative meeting and will be presented by Dr. Pamela Murphy.

Puberty, Sexuality and Social Awareness

In Children with Special Needs

Speaker: Dr. Pamela Murphy, Pediatrician

Join us as Dr. Murphy shares her insight and vast experience
with children and teens with special health care needs

Wednesday, April 22nd

6:30-8:30 p.m.

Mohave District Complex
Kachina Room

8505 E. Valley View Road, Scottsdale 85250-6768

 

Applications for the next Partners in Policymaking class are now being accepted. This is a highly recommended program for parents, caregivers, and/or self-advocates.  See flyer below.

Pilot Parents of Southern Arizona Announces Partners in Policymaking A FREE Leadership Training for self-advocates & parents of children with disabilities. Partners in Policymaking is an innovative leadership training program for parents of children with disabilities and for adults with disabilities. The program is designed to provide information, training, resources and skill building to people with a disability and the parents of children with disabilities so that they can become better advocates for themselves or their children. Partners in Policymaking provides participants with opportunities to meet and talk to national and state leaders in the disability advocacy field.   Participants will have an opportunity to meet and unite with others who have similar concerns to create a powerful voice on important issues. Participants learn how the legislative process works at the local, state and national levels. The goal of the training is to develop productive partnerships between people who need and use services and those in a position to make policy and law. Topics To Be Addressed History of the Disability Movement Inclusion & Quality Education IEP Participation Community Supports People First Language Person Centered Planning Assistive Technology State & Federal Policy Legislative Process Planning for Transitions Organizing for Change.

Click on link for application and more information:
partners-application-20094

A great opportunity for parents!

Special Education Training for Parents

Disability Empowerment Center of Arizona  

Second Floor/Room 208

5025 East Washington Street

Phoenix, Arizona

Thursday, April 23, 2009

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

&

6:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m.

Do you have questions about the special education process?

Do you have questions about your child’s IEP?

Do you have questions concerning discipline?

Do you have questions about your rights?

Well, let’s get some answers !

The Arizona Center for Disability Law will be conducting an intensive training designed for parents to answer these questions and more. This free training will provide in depth information on the procedural safeguards set forth in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004, Bureau of Indian Education and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  Highlights of the training will include information on the evaluation, the IEP, appropriate placement, transition services and discipline. In addition, the training will provide parents with practical advice and strategies for developing self-advocacy skills.

For more information or to reserve space in one of the trainings, please contact the Center, at

(602) 274-6287 (voice/TTY) 1-800-927-2260 or e-mail kvanhorne@azdisabilitylaw.org . Please notify the Center as soon as possible if you need any special accommodations or are unable to keep your reservation. The training is subject to cancellation if minimal registration is not achieved; you will be contacted as soon as possible if the training is cancelled. The training is limited to 25 participates.

For more information about the Center, please check our website at www.azdisabilitylaw.org

Funding for this training is provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities

Please see a letter from Phoenix Children’s Hospital on a newly formed committee to keep parents informed  about policy ideas and how they affect our children’s healthcare. At the end of the letter, there will be a link to obtain more information if you wish to learn more.

Greetings friends:

Join Phoenix Children’s Parent Action Committee today

Time and again, lawmakers tell us that parents’ voices make a real
difference in what they decide to do on policy issues that affect children’s
healthcare in Arizona. So we have created the Phoenix Children’s Parent
Action Committee to keep our parents informed about policy ideas, and what
they can do to either help good ideas along - or to stop harmful ideas in
their tracks.

As you likely know, our ability to provide world-class services is impacted
by policy decisions at the state and federal level. Parents signing up for
the Phoenix Children’s Parent Action Committee will get monthly updates on
these policy proposals, as well as occasional “action alerts” that ask for
their help, such as calling their representative or writing their senator on
a particular issue. The Committee will also make sure to notify parents
about specific opportunities that relate to their area(s) of interest.

Phoenix Children’s Parent Action Committee is open to anyone who cares about
children’s health care in Arizona. There is no charge to join and no
meetings. You don’t even have to be a parent. We’ll simply provide you with
monthly information on issues that impact children’s healthcare to help us
all make the best decisions for our kids.

Please visit www.phoenixchildrens.com/advocacy today to learn more and sign
up.   The first e-newsletter is below.  If you know someone else who would
be interested, please pass this information to them.

Thank you,

Lynda Christel
Manager, Physician Relations
Phoenix Children’s Hospital
1919 E. Thomas Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85016

(602) 546-5873
(602) 546-0827 FAX
(602) 721-9876 CELL
 <http://www.phoenixchildrens.com/> www.phoenixchildrens.com

Please read this important update on the status of public education in Arizona:

Dear Parents and Friends of Public Education,
 
I hope you are all refreshed from your Spring Break and ready to get to work on the continuing budget process.  Here is what we know - or continue to not know:
 
1) The State is facing a $3.1-3 billion budget deficit for 2010.  The Legislature is still deciding how to close that gap.  The Governor has said that both revenue enhancements and cuts must be considered in the process.
2) Despite the mid-year cuts made for 2009, the State is still short about $450 million for 2009.
3) The governor has agreed to accept federal stimulus money for Arizona.  While it is not yet clear exactly where and how these funds can be used, it does seem fair to assume that they will have a mitigating impact on the effect of the predicted 2010 cuts.  You can monitor the acceptance and expenditure of these funds atazrecovery.gov.
 
Here are some solutions to the problems currently under consideration:
1) Cut State expenditures.  
Education funding represents about 42% of the State’s budget.  With a $3 billion deficit looming, this is one big pot of money from which to find funds to balance the budget.  The Governor noted just yesterday, at a breakfast hosted by the East Valley Partnership, that further cuts to K-12 and higher education are inevitable.
2) Keep existing revenue sources.There is currently legislation pending that would repeal the County Equalization Tax.  Keeping this tax in place will bring $250 million into the State coffers.  Currently, this tax is suspended, but is due to be reinstated in 2010.
Also, legislation has passed that will increase the amount that both individuals and corporations can give, via tax credit, to private schools.  If this new legislation is signed into law by the Governor, the general fund could be depleted by as much as $17 million next year, with an amount increasing by 20% every year thereafter.  If the bill is not signed into law, those funds will continue to flow into the general fund.
3) Accept the Federal Stimulus funds.Depending on how and where these funds can be used, they could significantly impact the amount of our State deficit.
4)  Find new revenue sources.  
The Governor has proposed asking the voters to pass a tax increase.  In the absence of the political will to do this, the Legislature may be asked to consider such a measure.
 
What can you do?
Keep on contacting your Legislators and the Governor, and remind them all that in this budget debate education funding must remain a priority.
* Cuts may be inevitable given the magnitude of our problem, but our goal - everyone’s goal in this State - should be to keep those cuts as short term and as far from the classroom as possible, giving the most flexibility that we can to individual districts.
* In these dire economic times, we should be asking if making tax cuts is prudent. Certainly, some would argue that in a recession, raising taxes is counter-indicated.  But it can also be argued that giving back existing taxes and further depleting our revenue streams through increased tax credits in the face of a $3 billion deficit are not wise choices.
* Finally we must remember that the State has a Constitutional obligation to “provide for the establishment and maintenance of a general and uniform public school system-” even, and maybe especially, in difficult times.  There is a campaign to bring attention to this issue- Join Hands for Education.  Check out how you can be a part of reminding our representatives that our children need to be their priority at their website.
 
Our legislators know they face hard choices.  We need to let them know that we understand the reality of the deficit, but that we still place a long-term priority on adequate education funding - even when times are tough.  As always, please make sure your comments are factual and polite.  Personal anecdotes and good ideas are always welcome in correspondences.  And most importantly, remember that our voice counts and together we CAN make a difference.
 
Thanks for your continuing involvement in our children’s education!
Francesca Thomas, SPC Legislative Liaison

A wonderful and FREE program to help both parents and children with handwriting issues.   See below for information.

Don’t miss your chance to see some wonderful movies, particularly, “The Wings of EPOH” with your family at this special event!

2009 Phoenix Film Festival
Special Family Event

Saturday, April 4

Animated Children’s Short Films to be Featured:

Wings of EPOH presented by SARRC
A children’s book adapted by FableVision into an award-winning film
I’m Here presented by SARRC
By New York Times Best Selling illustrator
Peter H. Reynolds of Judy Moody, The Dot and Ish fame!
The Velveteen Rabbit presented by Kids First!
Fun educational activities for kids of all ages

Free ice cream, compliments of Chick-fil-A. Coloring activities, balloons and more!2009 Phoenix Film Festival

When:
Saturday, April 4, 2009
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Where:
Harkins Cine Capri
Scottsdale Rd. & 101 Loop
7000 E. Mayo Blvd.,
Phoenix, AZ 85054

Tickets:
$5 per ticket
To purchase online visit:
PhoenixFilmFestival.org

To download flyer click on link :  http://www.autismcenter.org/uploads/calendar/Phoenix%20Film%20Festival%20Presents.pdf

Every child can succeed with positive direction and care.  This a wonderful opportunity to help prepare our young adults  for their lives after high school.  Register Now!

For more details, please visit the website for the conference:  www.SpectrumTrainingSystemsInc.com/Conferences.html

Read below for the conference schedule.

Career Planning for Individuals
with Autism Spectrum Disorders
April 2-3, 2009

After several years of planning, Spectrum Training is delighted to announce that our two day Autism Career Planning conferences are now ready. After much dialogue with career planners, transition teachers, parents and other ASD concerned persons we planned these conferences to meet those specific, critical needs.
This high caliber career planning is the key to a successful future with positive long-term outcomes and is ESSENTIAL for:
* Career counselors, job developers/job coaches, rehab administrators, vocational coordinators
* Special education administrators, teachers, teacher assistants, case managers, therapists
* Students, parents, caregivers, young adults with ASD (16+)

Date and Location

April 2-3, 2009 Phoenix, AZ

Topic Schedule
Conference Schedule Day One:

Career Planning
A. Communication Skills in the Initial Interview
B. Interview Communication Graffiti Activity
C. Structuring the Interview Environment
D. Interview Structure Activity
E. Theory of Mind
F. Building the Career Portfolio
G. Career Portfolio Development Activity

Career Assessment
A. Creating the Evaluation Plan
B. Assessment Processes for Job Seekers With ASD
C. Skill/Interest Testing
D. Assessing Social/Communication Skills
E. Career Assessment Activity

Workplace Supports
A. Workplace Problems
B. Natural Support Development
C. Take Workplace Supports
D. Minnesota Work Adjustment Theory
E. Work Values Graffiti Activity

Conference Schedule Day Two:
Social Communication in the Workplace
A. Basic Self-Advocacy
B. Asking for Help Activity
C. Sins of the System Overview
D. Sins of the System Graffiti Activity
E. Courtesy Rule Card Activity
F. Social Skill Supports
G. Workplace Visuals Graffiti Activity
H. Workplace Social Story Make/Take

Implementing the Career Plan
A. Career Strategies in Action
B. Working with the Business Community
C. Final Wrap Up - Q & A Session

Presented by Spectrum Training Systems, Inc.

spectrumtrainingsystems@yahoo.com

(920) 749-0332 

Come one, come all to a Special Needs Exercise class at Pump It Up!   The next session will be every Wednesday from 4-5pm starting on April 29th at the Pump It Up on Bell Rd.  The children will have a great opportunity to play and socialize,  as well as exercising too!  Please contact Laura Holgate at   480.451.6525 or 602.738.5457 or  holgatebl@q.com

She will be able to provide more details regarding the program as well as adding interested persons to the mailing list.