Parents

Roadmaps to Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools

The U.S. Department of Education has released two handbooks to assist states, schools, and communities in safely reopening America’s schools for in-person learning of students, including those with disabilities. Volume 1, Strategies for Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools, focuses on health and safety measures that schools can use to successfully implement the CDC’s K-12 Operational Strategy guidelines. Volume 2, Roadmap to Reopening Safely and Meeting All Students’ Needs, spotlights research-based strategies for addressing the social, emotional, mental-health, and academic impacts of the pandemic on students, educators, and staff.

To learn more about each volume, see the Table of Contents for both, and access the handbooks, come here.

Considering LRE in Placement Decisions

Least restrictive environment, or LRE as it is more commonly called, is one of several vital components in the development of a child’s IEP and plays a critical role, influencing where a child spends his or her time at school, how services are provided, and the relationships the child develops within the school and community. Indeed, LRE is a foundational element in building an appropriate IEP that can improve outcomes for a child—in school and in life.

Education/Training Connections

Updated, March 2021 As part of a student’s transition planning for life after high school, the student and the other members of his or her IEP team will probably consider the possibility of more education or training. In keeping with the options specifically mentioned in IDEA, the discussion of education/training after high school may focus […]

CDC Guidelines for When You’re Fully Vaccinated

The CDC has just issued guidelines (March 9th) for individuals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. These guidelines bring exciting and hopeful news, and are available in English, Spanish, and multiple other languages such as Vietnamese, simplified Chinese, and Korean.

Based on what CDC knows about COVID-19 vaccines, people who have been fully vaccinated can start to do some things that they had stopped doing because of the pandemic. There are also precautions and behaviors they should maintain regardless of their vaccination. Read all about and access the guidelines here!

Assistive Technology Act

Updated, March 2021 PDF format In Word As technology has come to play an increasingly important role in the lives of all persons in the United States, in the conduct of business, in the functioning of government, in the fostering of communication, in the conduct of commerce, and in the provision of education, its impact […]

Considering Assistive Technology for Students with Disabilities

A resource for IEP Teams Updated, March 2021 PDF format In Word   This checklist is designed to help IEP teams consider the needs of students with disabilities for assistive technology. The checklist was included as a Resource for Trainers in Theme D of our Building the Legacy training curriculum on IDEA. It was adapted […]

CPIR Info Suites and Resource Collections 2021

March 2021 A handy directory to CPIR’s organized collections exploring on key, complex topics ____________________ In case you missed it… CPIR offers suites of information and resource collections on priority topics that Parent Centers can share with families and use in their own professional development and capacity building? For your easy reference… we’ve created this […]

Rare Disorders

Disability Fact Sheet Resources updated, March 2021 “Alone we are rare. Together we are strong.” Slogan of Rare Disease Day —February 29, 2012. Roughly 7,000 rare diseases/disorders have been identified as affecting the human race. Because they are rare, it can be a real challenge for a person to be accurately diagnosed. Finding effective treatments, especially […]

Strategies for Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools

(2021, February) | Useful for sharing with PTAs, families, community organizations involved in educational issues, and school leadership staff. COVID-19 Handbook, Volume 1: Strategies for Safely Reopening Elementary and Secondary Schools comes from the U.S. Department of Education. The 26-page handbook begins with a summary of CDC’s operational strategies and steps for safe school reopening. […]

Mental Health Resources

Updated, February 2021 There are many, many organizations and groups that deal with mental health. This page will help you find the one or ones that offer the type of assistance, intervention, or information you’re seeking. We’ve organized the information into the following sections: If it’s a crisis… (Keep scrolling) A quick-read fact sheet Be […]