“You’re off to great places, today is your day,
your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!

Dr. Seuss

It’s that time of year again for most of us–back to school. Always an exciting, super-busy time. You’re probably up to your neck already in resources to use and share, so we focused this Buzz on materials and information that both families and Parent Centers can use right now and continue to use throughout the school year.

Best of beginnings to you, to the families and professionals with whom you work, and (of course) to our children as they step into this new school year’s challenges and adventures.

The CPIR Team | Debra, Debi, Lisa, Jessica, and Myriam

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IEP Starters and Reminders

Off to a Good Start! Back to School Checklist
From Wrightslaw, this checklist includes action items organized by: things to do, smart IEPs, your child’s evaluation, and more. There are 2 columns for each item where parents can mark their own progress in preparing (“not yet” and “done”), as well as room for comments and notes.

What to Do the First Day, Week and Month Back to School When Your Kid Has an IEP
From The Mighty, for families.

For Parent Centers: News to Note

Need to Share Info on Early Childhood Development in Other Languages?
It doesn’t matter what language you speak, the science of early childhood development—of brain architecture, serve and return, and toxic stress—is universal. The Center on the Developing Child offers a library of videos and materials translated into several languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Urdu, Bulgarian, Arabic, and now (new!) Japanese.

Using Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to Attend IEP Meetings
This August 2019 letter from the U.S. Department of Labor discusses the general legal principles of the FMLA, the specifics of the inquiry to which US Labor is responding (care of children with special health care needs), relevant precedents, and Labor’s opinion based on those facts. This is not a tool that fits all family circumstances, but it’s a very good approach to keep in mind.

Parent of Special Ed Student Spotlights Powerful Tool for Advocacy
When there’s conflict, non-compliance, or other school issues that need resolving, IDEA offers families and schools multiple ways to settle matters. Here’s one that’s not as well known or used as, say, the due process complaint: filing a complaint with the state. Delve into its advantages with this article. (At CPIR, you can then explore the details of filing the state complaint, or using one of IDEA’s other dispute resolution options.)

Immigrants’ Guide to Navigating American Health Care
Will immigrant families be part of your Center’s customers? This guide is a comprehensive and accessible overview of what immigrants need to know about American health care. It includes tips on insurance terms to know, how to find health insurance and doctors, needed vaccines, a section on understanding the fees, and the lingo doctors and health care companies use to describe the work they do.

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The CPIR hopes that you’ve found useful and relevant resources listed in this month’s Buzz from the Hub. Please feel free to write to the editor, Lisa Küpper, at lkupper@fhi360.org to suggest the types of resources you’d like to see in the future. CPIR is listening! Your input is extremely valuable to helping us to craft newsletters that support your work with families.

Debra, Debi, Myriam, Jessica, and Lisa
The CPIR Team

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Publication of this eNewsletter is made possible through Cooperative Agreement H328R130014 between OSEP and the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN). The contents do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Education, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government or by the Center for Parent Information and Resources.