February 2008

Lisa Meyerson Marshall wrote a letter to the Editor at the Arizona Republic:

How can it be that health insurance doesn’t cover autism?

We’re curious, what’s your experience with health insurance covering services needed by your child with special needs?

Another great opportunity from Barbra Ross:

CALL FOR ARTWORK FROM STUDENTS WITH IEPs to DESIGN ARIZONA’S 2008 TRANSITION CONFERENCE BROCHURE COVER

“TRANSFORMING VISIONS TO REALITIES”

2008 Transition Conference
September 22 & 23, 2008

The 2008 Transition Conference Planning Committee is seeking artwork designed by students with IEPs for this year’s transition conference brochure. Any student identified with a disability, between the ages of 14 through 22, and currently enrolled in an Arizona public education agency (PEA) or approved private school is eligible to submit an entry.

Please review the attachment for additional information. The entry submission deadline is March 28, 2008.

For additional information you may contact Cynthia Bryant at (602) 542-3005, email Cynthia.bryant@azed.gov, or Jeannette Zemeida at (602) 542-3855, email Jeannette.zemeida@azed.gov.

FYI! Great opportunity for interested parties, please distribute widely!

Barbra Ross
Parent Information Network Specialist
East Maricopa County
Arizona Department of Education
Exceptional Student Services
Phone: 480-607-3030
Email: Barbra.Ross@azed.gov
Website: www.azed.gov/ess/pinspals

First Things First seeks to engage parents, child care and preschool providers, health services providers, public school administrators, early childhood educators, business owners and leaders, faith community members, policymakers and philanthropists in planning and improving early childhood development and health outcomes for children birth through age five throughout the state.

Arizona is presented with an unprecedented opportunity to create an early childhood system that affords our children an equal chance to reach their fullest potential, provide families with real choices about their children’s educational and developmental experiences, and engage every community in sharing the responsibility as well as the benefits of safe, healthy and productive residents.

If you are living or working in Arizona and you want to broaden your professional skills to include advocacy and public policy leadership, apply to be a Regional Partnership Council Member now!

Online applications are available at www.azecdh.gov,  and can be submitted via US mail or fax to:

Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board
Regional Partnership Council Application
4000 N. Central Avenue, Suite 800
Phoenix, Arizona, 85012
Fax: 602.274.7040.

Applications should be received by February 8, 2008.

Quesitons?

Kim VanPelt
Regional Manager – Phoenix and Yavapai
“First Things First”
Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board
(602) 771-5039 (office)
Kim.VanPelt@AZECDH.GOV

Folks: This training program is incredible and I highly recommend it.

Lisa Dee Meyerson Marshall

Dear Partners,

I’ve attached the new Partners application for program year 2008-2009. Please disseminate to any families or self-advocates that you know that could benefit from the Partners training.

Thanks for helping get the application out in your communities.

Karen Kelsch

Program Coordinator

Partners in Policymaking

Pilot Parents of Southern Arizona

2600 N. Wyatt Dr.

Tucson, AZ 85712

520.324.3158

Courtesy of Barb Ross at the Arizona Department of Education:

GREAT ARIZONA TEACH-IN

The Arizona Department of Education, Exceptional Student Services is excited to announce the Third Annual Great Arizona Teach-In. This ‘One-stop’ education career fair will provide comprehensive information to current and future education professionals. Arizona schools will be recruiting SLPs, Special Educators, General Educators, Paraprofessionals, Administrators, Related Service Providers, and more! Schools from around the state will be conducting on-site interviews to obtain the best and brightest to serve Arizona students. A resource room will feature information on a wide array of education employment issues (finger printing, certification, etc.) and participants will be able to obtain comprehensive information, all under one roof.

Saturday, March 15, 2008
10:00am – 3:00pm

Phoenix Convention Center
111 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004

Details

This approach redefines the parent’s role in homework. With time tested strategies to use, the parent’s role shifts from homework sergeant to homework facilitator. The stress from nightly homework challenges is eliminated. Using these strategies, parents are able to guide their children to learn how to become self-advocates in their education and how to get their teachers to meet their personal learning needs in every classroom they enter.

Tuesday Feb 5, 2008, 7-9pm
Brimhall Jr. High Auditorium
4949 E. Southern Mesa, AZ 85206
Open to the public, $5 each, pay at the door.
Sponsored by Mesa Supporters of the Gifted and Talented (krismason@msgt.org). To register, call 480-472-7278.

Announcment courtesy of Lisa Meyerson Marshall:

Arizona Center for Disability Law

Special Education STAT Advocate

Phoenix Office

This one year position will staff the STAT (Short Term Assistance Team) in the Center’s Phoenix office and respond to initial requests for assistance from persons with disabilities who have special education related legal issues. The purpose of this position is to provide up-to-date, accurate information and referral and advocacy assistance to callers to the Center, as well as to gather appropriate information, including all necessary federal reporting data, perform factual investigations, and assess issues. The Special Education STAT Advocate will work with the I&R Supervisor and Deputy Executive Director to refer appropriate cases to the Center’s Volunteer Lawyer Program. Our full job description is available on the Center’s website at www.azdisabilitylaw.org.

Qualifications: College degree in social work, justice studies, or a disability related field preferred plus a minimum of two years experience, or, alternatively, a minimum of four years experience directly working with persons with disabilities in a related area. Bi-lingual ability to speak and write English/Spanish is a plus. Full-time position is 40 hours per week.

Resumes will be accepted through 2/22/08. Please send resume and cover letter to:

I&R Supervisor
Arizona Center for Disability Law
3839 N. 3rd St., Suite 209
Phoenix, AZ 85012

Fax: (602) 274-6779

E-Mail: nfranklin@azdisabilitylaw.org

No telephone inquires please.

The Center values diversity in the workplace. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply. EOE.