FREE TRANSITION PLANNING WORKSHOP IN HADLEY, MA.

Family Empowerment is hosting a Federation workshop on January 28^th, 2015 from 6-8 on Transition.  All are welcome.

FEDERATION FOR CHILDREN

WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

14

An Introduction to the Transition Planning Process

A workshop for parents and professionals

Presented by The Federation of Children with Special Needs and hosted byFamily Empowrment

Successful transition from high school to adult life is about creating opportunities to explore educational and vocational options while a student is still in school. A well developed vision and an IEP which reflects those needs and interests really helps the process.

The workshop will address these topics:

• Development of self-advocacy and self-determination skills to support a student’s vision 
• How transition assessments identify strengths, interests, and academic and functional skill development needed to support transition goals. 
• How the Transition Planning Form guides the conversation to develop transition goals which outline meaningful opportunities in education, training, employment, and independent living.

Date/Time: 

Wednesday January 28, 2015, 6 – 8 p.m.

Presenter: 

The Federation for Children with Special Needs

Location: 

Family Empowerment, 41 Russell St., Hadley

(This is in the Hadley Farms Meeting House plaza)

RSVP: 

Joyce Paige 413.585.8010 or joyce.paige@theassociationinc.org   by January 26

Questions? 

Donna Kushi 413.585.8010

Two Day Workshop on Transition Services

TWO DAY WORKSHOP ON TRANSITION SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 & 21.

  

Planning A Life Making the Most Out of High School for students with disabilities
If you have a child with a disability approaching the ages of 14 to 21, this transition conference is an important opportunity for you.
Did you know that each year in Massachusetts, about 900 students with disabilities transition from high school, often unprepared to make real choices for a real life in the real world?                                                Begin the transition planning process early and stay  on schedule. Strategize now and prepare for a full productive life during and after high school.   Two action-packed days (Friday and Saturday) are filled with information and resources that will support you to understand your role, rights and responsibilities in the transition planning process.
Planning A Life is offered on Friday and Saturday from 8:30am-3:30pm. Dates for the 2015 school year are: January 23 & 24, 2015 Federation for Children with Special Needs The Schrafft Center, 529 Main Street, Boston, MA 02129 February 27 & 28, 2015 Seven Hills Foundation 81 Hope Avenue, Worcester, MA 01603 March 27 & 28, 2015 Kittredge Center, Holyoke Community College 303 Homestead Avenue, Holyoke, MA 01040
Come and Learn About: Creating a VISION Person Centered Planning Portfolio Development Transition Requirements of IDEA 2004 Importance of transition assessments Using the Transition Planning Form to incorporate Transition goals into the IEP Employment Job Development Work Supports Making connections and networking with other families going through the transition planning process. For more information contact: Terri McLaughlin, Transition Projects at tmclaugh@fcsn.org For registration information contact Wanda Morton at 800-331-0688 orwmorton@fcsn.org, or visit our transition page or download a Planning A Life Brochure
DREAM	EXPLORE	PLAN
The Schrafft Center | 529 Main Street, Suite 1M3 | Boston, MA 02129 800-331-0688 | info@fcsn.org  | www.fcsn.org

Social Opportunity for Youth (ages 14-22) with Disabilities in Western MA.

New Session of Springfield-based 

Making Healthy Connections Starting Soon!  

We are currently inviting all youth with disabilities and/or special health care needs, ages 14-22, to apply to participate in Making Healthy Connections (MHC), a program of Partners for Youth with Disabilities. Making Healthy Connections is a transitions program for youth with disabilities and/or special health care needs who are 14 to 22 years of age. Youth will have opportunities to meet new friends with similar disabilities and learn information about topics such as their health care needs, independent living, fitness, talking to their health care providers independently, adaptive driving, and much more. Making Healthy  Connections also features a variety of adaptive sports and recreation activities to make every meeting interactive and fun! There is a parent group component as well. Making Healthy Connections Springfield program meetings will begin in early January 2015 and run until June of 2015. Meetings take place two Saturdayafternoons per month in West Springfield from 1pm-4 pm.  The annual program fee is $75  (sliding scale arrangements are available for any family unable to afford the total amount).

Please help us reach young people with disabilities who will benefit from this important program!   For more information about Making Healthy Connections, please contact Susan Nicastro at (413) 584-0455 or by email at snicastro@pyd.org as soon as possible. Meetings begin in January 2015, so contact us immediately if you are interested!

For more information about Partners for Youth with Disabilities, please visit our website at www.pyd.org   Thank You!

--

Susan Nicastro, Ph.D.
Deputy Director
Partners for Youth with Disabilities
P.O. Box 1311

Northampton MA 01061-1311
Phone: (413) 584-0455
Email: snicastro@pyd.org
Website: www.pyd.org

College for Young Adults with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

Tuesday December 9th during the 9:00-10:00PM hour, New England Cable News (NECN) will air itsMaking the Grade segment on the Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment (ICE) program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities attending college. The segment focuses on Roxbury Community College ICE student Max Pimentel and his experience fighting for educational opportunity since he was a child and the success he has achieved. In the segment myself and Glenn Gabbard, ICE Coordinator at the Executive Office of Education, discuss the importance of the program and how families with children with disabilities can take advantage of the higher education opportunities available to them. The ICE program allows students ages 18 to 22 who have significant disabilities and do not pass MCAS, to enroll in college classes alongside their non-disabled peers and is currently available at 10 of Massachusetts' 29 public colleges and universities. Help spread the word by encouraging families you know to watch Making the Grade on NECN, Comcast channel 6, Tuesday night at 9PM.

Sincerely, PS. You can also watch the segment after it airs by visiting the Making the Gradewebsite here.

FREE WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS AND EDUCATORS

A Night of Art and Mastery of Success

MOTIVATE Students to Choose SUCCESS with Susan Fitzell

“From the time I walked into the room, I was intrigued. Susan’ s presentation style and electric personality captivates the audience - small or large, and empowers each workshop participant to become the best s/he can be!
Joy L. Tibbott, Director of Special Education

Attendees will learn how to:

• Foster motivation at school and at home.
  
• Motivate the unmotivated.
  
• Strategies that empower youth to reach their
  goals.
  

• Techniques that make homework and studying fun!
  
• Identify and teach body language that exudes confidence
  

We may have heard the utterance, "Today’s youth are so unmotivated!" and the good news is that there's a lot that we can do to change that. Susan will share how at this seminar.
Each attendee will also receive a 18x24 Moodz poster with instructions on how to use it to foster meaningful discussion with youth as well as access to valuable reference materials and tools related to the seminar.
Don’t Miss this Event! Join us at: 

Hatfield Elementary School

33 Main St Hatfield, MA 01038

October 23, 2014 

Fundraiser & Refreshments 6:30– 7:00 

Speaker 7:00 – 8:30 PM

Susan is a dynamic, nationally recognized presenter, author of over 10 books for teachers and parents, and an educational consultant. A mother, teacher, and martial artist. Susan has over two decades of experience identifying and meeting the needs of youth, especially those with special needs.
Contact: Susan Fitzell, M.Ed., CSP sfitzell@susanfitzell.com * 603-625-6087

RSVP Now! Limited Seating
Go to: bit.ly/hatfieldpta
Anita Gingras, President, PTA anita.hatfieldpta@gmail.com Phone: 413-247-5010

FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT HATFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

SHARE YOUR CONCERNS REGARDING SPECIAL EDUCATION WITH REPRESENTATIVE ELLEN STORY!

On Friday, September 19, 2014 at 10:30am at the Community Center in Amherst, MA behind the post office.  Ellen Story your state representative will listen to parents and professionals about the struggles of having a child with special needs.  Many families can’t get the proper services or supports because of needing finances to battle with schools. Rep. Ellen Story is willing to hear your stories. She will take your concerns and voice it on your behalf to legislators!  If , you live in this county and you can come out; please do!

The more that come out, the better chances your voices can be heard.  Empowering by families and professionals and uniting together is going to get the attention of legislators. 

For more information contact: Jan Lamberg @ (413) 536-2401

WEBINAR: Insurance Appeal Process

Autism Insurance Resource Center

Join us for a Webinar

Space is limited. To reserve your space contact,info@disabilityinfo.org
(if you require accommodations, please let us know at least 1 week prior to the date the webinar is scheduled)

---

Title: "What to Do When Your Insurance says - "No"? - The Insurance Appeal Process. Presented by the Autism Insurance Resource Center and the Office of Patient Protection.

Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Time: 10:00 - 11:30am

After sending in your email to register (info@disabilityinfo.org) you will receive a confirmation email by Tuesday, September 16th containing information about how to join the webinar.

Amy K. Weinstock
DirectorAutism Insurance Resource Center