August 2025
“I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side,
be an advocate for myself and others like me.”
~ Maya Angelou
Welcome to August’s edition of the Buzz from the Hub! As summer’s long, hot days come to an end, you might be feeling a mix of sadness or maybe a bit of relief. In less than a month, schools will be back in session and many people will be adjusting to a new routine. While you enjoy these last few weeks, check out the resources in our latest Buzz. This month’s newsletter features:
- the latest OSEP Fast Fact on how students with disabilities, ages 14–21, exit school
- emotional development guides for young children,
- new modules from IRIS on FBAs and BIPs,
- job-readiness support for youth and young adults, and
- tips to improve communication during meetings.
Last, but not least, check out the virtual events scheduled in August in the Upcoming Events section.
Best wishes and happy reading,
The CPIR Team
Featured Resource!
OSEP Fast Facts: Part B Exiting School
The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has released a new OSEP Fast Fact: Students Served under IDEA Part B Exiting School. This is the first OSEP Fast Fact to focus specifically on how students with disabilities, ages 14-21, exit school—through graduation, dropout, reaching maximum age, and other exit reasons. This new OSEP Fast Fact uses data from the IDEA Section 618 Part B Exiting Data Collection to provide a national snapshot of the educational outcomes for students with disabilities as they transition out of school. Students who exited special education via moving and continuing special education or transferring to regular education are not considered in this Fast Fact.
Shareable Resources
Early Childhood |
An Age-By-Age Guide to Helping Kids Manage Emotions
When we teach kids to identify their emotions, we give them a framework that helps explain how they feel, which makes it easier for them to deal with those emotions in a socially appropriate way. This free printable from Quality Start LA shares simple tips to help young children, from infancy to preschool-age, manage their emotions.
Education |
IRIS Modules on FBAs and BIPs
IRIS has released brand-new modules on functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)! These new IRIS Modules explore the importance of discovering the reasons that students engage in challenging behavior and outline steps for conducting an FBA and developing a BIP.
Check out the new modules on the IRIS website.
Youth |
Adulting Shorts: Let’s Talk About Getting Your Teen Ready for a Job
This comic from UMass Chan’s Transitions to Adulthood Center highlights how the Pre-employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) help youth with disabilities ages 14–22 explore careers, build job-readiness skills, and prepare for life after school.
Young Adults |
Employment Connections
CPIR’s Employment Connections page guides families and educators through the steps of planning employment for youth with disabilities. It highlights the importance of identifying personal interests, leveraging supports like job coaches, and exploring opportunities for supported employment through networks like Vocational Rehabilitation.
Find all the resources on the Employment Connections page here.
Parent Leadership |
The Power of Validation to Improve Meetings
“Validation doesn’t mean agreement—it means showing that you’re listening and that their experience makes sense from their point of view.” In this short, but insightful resource from CADRE, validation as a strategy to defuse tension and foster respect during emotionally charged conversations is discussed.
Upcoming Events
Positive Supports for Challenging Behaviors
Do you need new ideas to support your child’s behavior? This webinar, hosted by Nevada PEP, will help parents understand how their child’s behavior is often their way to communicate. Learn evidence-based practices to teach your child positive behavior skills that can lead to higher self-esteem, better school performance, greater motivation, and more success in life.
When: August 19, 2025
Time: 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM EDT
Social and Life Skills Apps Webinar
Many kiddos (and adults) struggle with social and life skills. Join this webinar hosted by TASK they demonstrate apps that can help with these skills. App focus will include: personal grooming, household chores, telling time, dialing 911, social skills, and more. Apps for various ages will be shown.
When: August 22, 2025
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am PDT,
1:00 – 2:30pm EDT
Looking for more events? Check out
the Hub Central Event Calendar
This e-Newsletter from the CPIR is copyright-free. We encourage you to share it with others. Scan our QR Code or click here to sign up to receive the Buzz from the Hub!
Publication of this e-Newsletter is made possible through Cooperative Agreement H328R230009 between OSEP and the SPAN 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.
