The concerns I hear from parents are mostly about placement, goals, and least restrictive environment (LRE). Yet, when I review a child's most recent Individualized Education Plan (IEP), there is little helpful information under the Present Levels of Academic Performance and Functional Performance section.
The few lines that are written in the Present Levels are not helpful to the IEP Team. Often, I can find no relationship at all between the "present levels" and the "needs" and the "goals."
Mark Kamleiter, Florida parent attorney (St. Petersburg) says that parents and advocates often focus only on the "last pages" of the IEP. That is what I see, too.
Most of the IEPs I review have, at most, three to four lines of Present Levels. (Rarely, do they have Functional Performance levels). Remember, schools still tell parents, "We do not have to do that because it is not related to academics."
Parents have to learn now to design accurate and up-to-date present levels. Advocates have to learn how to do this to and teach parents how to do this. It is one of the easiest things for parents to do because they know their child best. Until the Present Levels are accurate, parents will never be able to get the program, placement, or education their child needs.
Group items tagged
Professional Learning Communities - Billings - June 19, 20, 2013 - 1 views
-
Click here to download the flyer for this conference
Click here to register for this event
What:
Day One: Overview and background on Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and their role in carrying out the work of achieving district goals and initiatives.
Day Two: Work with school teams to help understand how to set time within the school day for PLCs, establish strong teams, and other logistics of implementing Professional Learning Communities in your district. Must attend day one to attend day two. School or site-based teams are encouraged to attend.
When:
June 19, 20, 2013
8:00 am ‐ 4:30 pm Mountain (both days)
Registration 7:30 am ‐ 8:00 am Mountain (both days) Where:
Montana State University Billings
Library Building, Room 148
1500 University Dr.
Billings, MT 59101 Cost:
$75 one day or $125 both days (Non refundable) OPI Renewal Units Available, College Credit Pending.
Contact:
Debra Miller at dmiller@msubillings.edu or 657-2072
Targeted Treatments for Autism: From Genes to Pharmacology - Webinar - April 23, 2013 - 0 views
-
Click here to register for this webinar (Part 1)
Click here to register for all 4 parts of the "Amazing Brain" webinar series What:
This session will focus on translational research related to targeted drug development for core symptoms of autism based on the emerging understanding of autism neuroscience. Goal and Objectives:
1) Explain the "targeted treatment" approach to drug development for autism.
2) Identify the synapse as a convergence point for multiple genes associated with autism
3) Describe the challenges to demonstrating treatment efficacy on the core symptoms of autism. The purpose of this webinar series is to introduce clinicians to exciting developments in neuroscience that provides complex and new understanding of developmental and behavioral disorders in children. Participants will gain a greater understanding of the structure and functioning of areas of the brain, novel ways to study the brain and emerging treatments. When:
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
10:00 am - 11:00 am Mountain
Cost:
$40.00 per session,
$120.00 for the entire series
The Amazing Brain: Part III - Optical Tools for Studying Synaptic Transmission - Webina... - 0 views
-
Click here to register for this webinar (Part 3)
Click here to register for all 4 parts of the "Amazing Brain" webinar series What:
This session will highlight the role of synapses in understanding normal and abnormal brain function. Dr. Higley will describe the technical revolution using light that is enhancing the ability to understand and monitor synapses in the brain. Goals and Objectives
1) Understand the basic structure and organization of synapses.
2) Become familiar with novel optical tools for monitoring and manipulating activity at individual synapses. The purpose of this webinar series is to introduce clinicians to exciting developments in neuroscience that provides complex and new understanding of developmental and behavioral disorders in children. Participants will gain a greater understanding of the structure and functioning of areas of the brain, novel ways to study the brain and emerging treatments. When:
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
10:00 am - 11:00 am Mountain
Cost:
$40.00 per session,
$120.00 for the entire series
The Amazing Brain: Part II - The Neurobiology of ADHD and Related Disorders - Webinar -... - 0 views
-
Click here to register for this webinar (Part 2)
Click here to register for all 4 parts of the "Amazing Brain" webinar series What:
This session will describe the prefrontal cortex's role in attention, behavior and emotion and how abnormal development in this area of the brain contributes to ADHD, ODD and bipolar disorder. Dr. Arnsten will also underscore the role of stress in causing prefrontal cortical dysfunction and emerging treatments.
Goals and Objectives:
1) The role of the prefrontal cortex in the top-down regulation of attention, behavior and emotion.
2) How abnormal development and dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex contributes to childhood disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder and bipolar disorder.
3) How prefrontal cortical circuits are modulated by the arousal systems, and how stress exposure or lead poisoning can cause prefrontal cortical dysfunction that mimics ADHD.
4) New data on how medications used to treat ADHD can strengthen prefrontal cortical regulation through catecholamine actions on prefrontal network connections. The purpose of this webinar series is to introduce clinicians to exciting developments in neuroscience that provides complex and new understanding of developmental and behavioral disorders in children. Participants will gain a greater understanding of the structure and functioning of areas of the brain, novel ways to study the brain and emerging treatments. When:
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
10:00 am - 11:00 am Mountain
Cost:<br
Kids Connect Social Summer Adventure - Missoula - Multiple dates in July and Aug. 2013 - 0 views
-
Download the flyer for this event
What:
Easter Seals-Goodwill is offering a series of classes using Michelle Garcia Winner's "Think Social!" curriculum to help kids ages 9-14 who need extra support in learning and practicing social skills. Group leaders include people with backgrounds in P.L.A.Y. (Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters), social work, special education, and one-on-one work with kids of ranging abilities. Our goal is to provide a safe and fun environment for kids to explore and learn about our social world together!
When/Where:
Friday's from July 19 to August 16, 2013
Varying times and locations in Missoula, MT
View Kids Connect summer session times and dates
Cost:
Cost for the 8-week session is $200.
Contact:
Abbey Hood at abigailh@esgw.org or call 406-217-8768.
When I Grow Up I Want to Be an Advocate, the Nuts and Bolts of Going Pro - Webinar - Se... - 0 views
-
Register for this webinar and view all webinars in this series
COPAA is offering five webinars as part of this summer series. You are welcome to register for individual sessions or for the entire series of sessions. More information: Summer series - Fall series What:
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a professional advocate? What kind of training is needed? How do I attract clients? What do I do after I'm hired? What about billing? And how do I avoid burn-out? This session provides a starting point to answer these questions. Many parents, therapists, retired school district staff, and others routinely ask me how to become a professional advocate. Of course, there is no One Right Way to do this, no certification, no road map. . . and so the goal is to help participants consider the next steps, to provide them with some information about what has worked for some professional advocates, and to connect them with resources. This presentation will cover the following issues, among others: role of the advocate, sources/types of training, work environments, attracting clients, advocate's intake and next steps, maintaining records and confidentiality, billing, pro bono work, the importance of boundaries, and networking resources. The presentation will also reference COPAA's Voluntary Code of Ethics for advocates.
When:
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Mountain
Cost:
$79.00 per session or
$275.00 for the fall series (all 5 sessions)
$599.00 Annual Webinar Subscription: Includes ALL Live and Archived Sessions
(Member discount
Securing Quality Related Services: Strategies for Effective Advocacy - Webinar - Oct. 2... - 0 views
-
Register for this webinar and view all webinars in this series
COPAA is offering five webinars as part of this summer series. You are welcome to register for individual sessions or for the entire series of sessions. More information: Summer series - Fall series What:
§300.320(a)(4) stipulates that each child's IEP must contain special education, related services, and supplementary aids in order to assist the child to advance toward attaining his/her annual goals, as well as to be involved in and make progress in the general education curriculum and other nonacademic activities in the Least Restrictive Environment. This presentation will explore a range of tips and strategies geared toward securing a quality, objectively measurable, research-based program of intervention for a student with disabilities.
When:
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Mountain
Cost:
$79.00 per session or
$275.00 for the fall series (all 5 sessions)
$599.00 Annual Webinar Subscription: Includes ALL Live and Archived Sessions
(Member discounts available)
Accessibility Camp - Missoula - Mar. 9, 2013 - 0 views
-
Click here to register for this camp
What:
Accessibility Camp Missoula is dedicated to the simple premise that "digital inclusion" is fundamental in the digital age. Focused on users with different disabilities and abilities, Accessibility Camp Missoula 2013 sessions will cover digital accessibility topics from the website accessibility, assistive technologies in schools and universities, aging and technology to reading and publishing software accessibility, mobile apps, and everything in between. Regardless of your level of knowledge or the age of people served, come and participate. It will be a great opportunity for members of the usability, accessibility, other IT, education and disability communities to interact and learn from each other. Our goal is to raise awareness about accessibility related topics and issues in Montana. Accessibility Camp Missoula is the first step towards designing the accessible future. When:
Saturday, March 9th, 2013
9:00 am to 4:00 pm (Lunch: 12:30 - 1:30 pm) Where:
MOLLI: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
University of Montana Campus
Missoula, MT Cost:
$25.00 (covers lunch) Contact:
accessibilitycampmissoula@gmail.com or http://accessibilitycampmissoula.org/contact
Extracurricular Athletic Opportunities for Students with Disabilities - Audio Conferenc... - 0 views
-
Reister for this audio conference
What:
The ADA National Network Audio Conference is being offered in collaboration with the Inclusive Fitness Coalition in response to the recent guidance provided by the Office for Civil Rights clarifying public elementary and secondary schools obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to provide extracurricular athletic opportunities for students with disabilities. This session will discuss key points that are addressed in this new resource. The session will provide attendees with practical advice on how schools can better integrate students with disabilities into mainstream athletic programs and as well as how to create adapted programs. The goal of this session is to raise awareness of the obligation to provide opportunities in athletics and to encourage change at the school level.
When:
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Mountain
Cost:
$40.00 for profit / $25:00 non profit (see pricing details)
AAC Developing Participation, Part 4: Bridging Skills - Webinar - June 4, 2013 - 0 views
-
Register for this webinar
What:
The purpose of Part 4: Bridging Skills is designed for the child to bridge into independence with their communication participation. The goal is to continue to expand the child's unique language productions while adult facilitators learn to reduce cuing in order for the child to experience increased degrees of independent success. Tips will be offered for activities with unfamiliar communication partners, literacy by writing and reflection on their own experiences, vocabulary skills of using correct tense and even slang, testing adequacy of tools, access, and troubleshooting so that the children will be better able to bridge to successful independent participation.
When:
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
11:00 am - 12:00 pm Mountain
Cost:
Free of charge
Our Kids Count Parent and Caregiver Support Group - Great Falls - Feb. 28, 2013 - 0 views
-
Click here to download the flier for this event
What:
The goal of this group is to support parents in the community by offering strategies, skills and education so that families can be successful. The group also intends to unite parents & caregivers in Great Falls to listen, support, and encourage one another with the daily tasks of loving and caring for our special kids! Guest speaker will be Donna Marchington, State Wraparound Coordinator. Brett Gileo LCP will be meeting and overseeing the kids activities. When:
Thursday, February 28, 2013
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Mountain Where:
Our Saviors Lutheran Church
1326 1st Avenue North
Great Falls, MT 59401 Cost:
Free of charge Contact:
Please RSVP to attend
Kim Monroe 406-403-6710 or
Stormi Beutler 406-838-1856
IEP Webinars for Parents and Educators - Webinar - Feb. 26, Mar. 5, 12, 2013 - 0 views
-
Click here to register for this webinar series
What:
This webinar series will explore: Basics of IDEA 2004 specifically related to IEPs Evaluation/Consent for Services Eligibility Communication IEP Team members SMART goals Accommodations and modifications Implementation Progress Monitoring Resolutions Under IDEA When:
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Mountain
(Preparing for the IEP)
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Mountain
(Content of the IEP)
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Mountain
(Implementation and follow up of the IEP) Cost:
Free of charge
NICHD Recruitment for Safe to Sleep Champions Initiative - Webinar - Feb. 26, Mar. 5, 1... - 0 views
-
Click here to download the fact sheet for these webinars
Click here to download the registration form for these webinars
What:
NICHD is recruiting volunteers for the national Safe to Sleep Champions Initiative, which engages physicians and other health care professionals, parents, grandparents and other family members, caregivers, and community stakeholders to serve as spokespersons for the Safe to Sleep campaign. The Safe to Sleep campaign not only addresses ways to reduce the risk of SIDS, but also ways to reduce the risk of other sleep-related causes of infant death, such as suffocation or strangulation. The goal of the Safe to Sleep Champions Initiative is to share the campaign messages about safe infant sleep practices through the use of media and community outreach efforts. The NICHD will host training webinars to equip participants with the information to serve as Champions in their local communities. To volunteer as a Safe to Sleep Champion, you must participate in one of the webinars.
When:
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
10:00 am - 11:00 am Mountain
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Mountain
Thursday, March 14, 2013
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Mountain
Cost:
Free Of Charge
Language Clarity Techniques in Discourse: Looking at Language Expansion Features; Video... - 1 views
-
What:
Speakers use several different communication techniques to help their listeners follow the logic of the discourse (conversation, teaching, etc.), as well as to hone in on key points of the discussion. Like all languages, American Sign Language speakers (and interpreters) use strategies to assist with listener comprehension. In the literature these are frequently referred to as 'expansion features' (Lawrence, Finton, Smith, etc.). The goal of the training will introduce you to the types of expansions that can be used, as well as when to integrate expansions into your educational interpretations. When:
January 12, 2013
9:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Mountain Time Where:
Montana School for the Deaf and Blind - Great Falls MSU-Billings - 1500 University Dr., Ed Bldg.Rm. 158, Billings University of Montana - Gallagher Building, Corner of Arthur and Eddy, Rm 104, Missoula MSU-Bozeman - S. 7th & Grant, Bozeman (Eng . Phys. Science Bldg. (EPS) Rm. 126) How to sign up:
Techniques for Comprehending Fingerspelling and Nonmanual information; Video Conference... - 1 views
-
What:
Sign language users utilize fingerspelling for multiple purposes; interpreters need to be able to decode fingerspelling and have strategies for coping when the term cannot be decoded. In much the same way nonmanual information conveys information that adds to, or changes the meaning or intent of a term or statement. The goal of the training is to introduce interpreters to strategies and coping techniques that will enhance your receptive skills and, ultimately, improve your ability to deliver a more effective spoken English interpretation. When:
November 17, 2012,
9:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Mountain Time Where:
Montana School for the Deaf and Blind - Great Falls MSU-Billings - 1500 University Dr., Ed Bldg.Rm. 158, Billings University of Montana - Gallagher Building, Corner of Arthur and Eddy, Rm 104, Missoula MSU-Bozeman - S. 7th & Grant, Bozeman (Eng . Phys. Science Bldg. (EPS) Rm. 126) How to sign up:
Signing u
Our Kids Count-A Support Group for Parents of Kids with Mental Illness and Disability -... - 0 views
-
Download the flyer for this event
Like "Our Kids Count" on Facebook!
What:
The goal of this group is to support parents in the community by offering strategies, skills and education so that families can be successful, also to unite parents and caregivers in Great Falls to listen, support, and encourage one another with daily tasks of loving and caring for our special kids.
When:
The 4th Thursday of every month
6:00 pm -7:30 pm Mountain
Where:
Columbus Center (6th floor conference room)
1601 2nd Ave North
Great Falls, MT 59401
Cost:
Free of charge
Contact:
Kim Monroe - 406-403-6710
IEP Compliance and Best Practices for Secondary Transition - Billings, MT - Dec 1, 2012 - 0 views
-
Click here to register for the workshop
What:
Come and join us in this interactive training which will include:
Representatives from Montana's Office of Public Instruction, Special Education Division, detailing transition activities as required by law. A case study presentation by Libby Johnson, illustrating best practices in developing an effective transition plan. Facilitated transition planning with Margaret Tryon, Dale Anderson, and Libby Johnson. This session is for teams that have been identified by the Region III Cooperative Directors. The selected teams will bring current IEPs and work with the facilitators to brain storm possible goals and activities that are individualized, meet transition requirements, and are considered best practice.
When/Where:
December 1, 2012
MSU Billings Campus
College Of Ed Bldg Rm 122
Billings, MT
Contact:
Contact Debra Miller
657-2072
dmiller@msubillings.edu
Navigating from "Traditional Day Services" to Meaningful Employment in the General Work... - 0 views
-
Click here to download the full brochure and conference schedule What:
Stepping into the tension between what it takes to support people in community jobs and delivering typical day services can be daunting. Working together to explore why employment is a priority in supporting adults with developmental disabilities to have meaningful lives, and how the current day support system can move forward in increasing employment outcomes for people with developmental disabilities in Montana. We will revisit fundamental aspects of the disability system related to employment to illustrate how we've arrived at the system challenges we have in 2012. Session Goals: Provide an overview of employment outcomes and issues at the national level Provide an overview of current best practice Provide a context for resource allocation and engaging providers, individuals and families in discussion about employment options Audience: Central Office staff, Case managers/Support Coordinators, Quality Management Staff When:
Thursday, April 26, 2012
8:30am - 4:00pm Mountain Where:
Holiday Inn Downtown Helena
22 N Last Chance Gulch
Helena, MT
‹ Previous
21 - 40 of 171
Next ›
Last »
Showing 20▼ items per page
This webinar will showcase many exciting national initiatives which promote integrated, competitive employment for transitioning youth with disabilities such as the National Governor's Association's A Better Bottom Line: Employment of People with Disabilities, the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation Transition and Employment priorities, Employment First, Administration on Developmental Disabilities Systems Change Projects, Social Security Administration: Youth Demonstration Projects, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration efforts. Participants will learn about the goals of each initiative, cross-stakeholder engagement, how to connect to state and local projects, where to tap into resources, and have an opportunity for dialogue. When:
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm Mountain Cost:
Free of charge