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You can begin registration here! What:Participate in this webinar to hear Reece Peterson, Joe Ryan, and Michael Rozalski discuss the latest information on the legislative, policy, and practice issues concerning restraint and seclusion. Federal legislation is pending that, if passed, will regulate the use of physical restraint and seclusion in school settings. The webinar will also provide an overview of the content that will be covered in more detail in the strand on restraint and seclusion at the CEC Convention & Expo in Denver in April.Federal legislation is pending that, if passed, would regulate the use of physical restraint and seclusion procedures for students in school settings. This webinar will discuss the legislative, policy, and practice issues that have arisen because of the deaths and injuries of students due to these procedures. The webinar will provide an overview of the content that will be covered in more detail during the strand on restraint and seclusion at the CEC Convention & Expo in April 2012. Participants will be able to: Identify current laws, policies, and guidelines governing the use of physical restraint and seclusion procedures in school settings. Understand the lack of knowledge in many schools of the underlying ethical and moral problems and the role the media may play in covering abusive incidents. Identify recommendations for “best practice” in using these procedures, including training needs and the use of prevention and de-escalation strategies. When:March 8, 20122:00 pm - 3:00 pm MTContact:CECPhone: 888-232-7733   TTY: 866-915-5000

HELENA — A legislative committee will meet April 26-27 to learn how health care legislation passed this year by Congress may affect Montanans.

Groundbreaking Transition Legislation for Youth with Significant Disabilities Introduced in House A trio of federal bills, called the Transitioning towards Excellence in Achievement and Mobility (TEAM) legislation , designed to improve transition outcomes of youth with significant disabilities was introduced in Congress in mid-February.  The TEAM legislation--which consists of the TEAM-Education Act (H.R. 602), the TEAM-Empowerment Act (H.R. 603), and the TEAM-Employment Act (H.R. 604)--focus on realigning  and strengthening federally funded programs to more successfully move youth with significant disabilities toward further education, integrated employment, and community living.

The new, still-divided Congress that took office this month faces a lengthy list of education policy legislation that is either overdue for renewal or will be soon, in a political landscape that remains consumed with fiscal issues. But it's tough to say whether there will be much action on all that outdated legislation—including the No Child Left Behind Act, which has awaited reauthorization since 2007. The cast of characters in Washington is virtually unchanged since before the 2012 elections—which left President Barack Obama in the White House, Democrats in control of the Senate, and Republicans in control of the House of Representatives.

Legislators and candidates vying for different House and Senate positions in the Montana Legislature joined together to learn about different challenges faced by the disabled community Tuesday night.The forum on disabilities at City College in Billings helped to shed light on issues that many families with disabled children or family members face.The event, put on by the ARC of Montana, Disability Rights Montana and Parents Let’s Unite for Kids (PLUK) hosted 14 candidates campaigning for House and Senate seats, a few of whom are running for re-election.

BILLINGS - State Legislative candidates gather at MSU Billings City College to hear about the issues surrounding citizens with disabilities.

The Disability and Aging Alliance of Missoula in collaboration with Parents Let’s Unite for Kids, the ARC of Montana and Disability Rights Montana is holding a Missoula County legislative candidates forum at the Hilton Garden Inn on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 4 to 7 p.m.

Click here to download the flyer (PDF) When: November 24, 2010 7:30am-9:00am MT Where: Bozeman, MT What: You are invited to join with legislators, community groups, and others interested in the health & well-being of our children to discuss a children’s legislative agenda for the 2011 Montana Legislature. RSVP by Monday, November 22Toni at 582-3144 or toni.lucker@gallatin.mt.gov

The Montana Legislative Audit Division has completed its information systems audit of OPI’s statewide student information system, AIM – Achievement in Montana.  The purpose of the audit was to 1) Verify controls are in place to ensure the availability of real time data in AIM;  2) Ensure controls are in place to prevent unauthorized access to student data in AIM;  3) Verify processing controls are in place to ensure AIM data completeness; and 4) Ensure AIM is generating accurate reports.  Click here to review the audit report Achievement in Montana: Security of Student Information for the Office of Public Instruction.

State Representative Martha Walz, the bill’s primary author, said the mandates will deter bullying and prevent it from reaching dangerous proportions.“When this passes, it will the strongest antibullying legislation in the country,’’ said Walz, a Boston Democrat and House chairwoman of the Joint Committee on Education. “Without mandatory reporting, things can spiral out of control.’’

On Wednesday, December 22, President Obama signed the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Act of 2010 (H.R. 1246/S. 3199) into law. The bill, which was passed earlier this month by the Senate, was passed by the House on December 15.

The legislation reauthorizes and expands EHDI legislation passed nearly 10 years ago, increasing state funding for follow-up services to ensure that babies initially identified with a potential hearing loss receieve full diagnostic evaluations and, if necessary, are enrolled in early intervention programs. The act also promotes culturally sensitive family support services.

The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) of 2011 (S. 1872/H.R. 3423) was introduced on November 15 in the 112th Congress (2011-2012 Congressional cycle). The bill is being led by a bipartisan, bicameral set of Congressional champions, including Senator Robert Casey, Jr., (D-PA), Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Congressman Ander Crenshaw (R-FL), Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). The ABLE Act will give individuals with disabilities and their families the ability to save for their child's future just like every other American family, and help people with disabilities live full, productive lives in their communities without losing benefits provided through private insurances, the Medicaid program, the supplemental security income program, the beneficiary’s employment, and other sources. The account could fund a variety of essential expenses for individuals, including medical and dental care, education, community based supports, employment training, assistive technology, housing, and transportation.

A pair of congressman are pushing for legislation to dramatically enhance training for educators who teach students with autism. A bill introduced in Congress late last week would establish a five-year federal grant program to allow school districts to team with universities and nonprofits to train general education teachers and other school staff to best support students with autism.