Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) » Special Education

SEPAC of Scottsdale features Barb Ross, PIN Specialist

Pam Murphy — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 21:51:49 +0000

This month, SEPAC of Scottsdale features Barb Ross, a PIN specialist with the AZ Dept of Education and a previous SUSD parent (her kids have graduated!). Two of her children have disabilities and received special education services through the Scottsdale Unified School District. Barb works as a strong advocate for children and teens with disabilities and special education needs and enjoys serving children and their parents in her PINS role.

In March of 2011 the AZ Dept of Education will celebrate 20 years of PINS, that’s Parent Information Network Specialist. PINS is a unique federally funded project with the AZ Department of Education that provides an essential free source of educational information for parents of children and teens with special education needs. They know all about IEPs! And, they are parents of children, just like ours, who need special education services; so they understand the parent perspective.

Barb became a PIN specialist in August 2005 and services east Maricopa County – that’s us in the Scottsdale Unified School District. As a PIN specialist she recommends the PINS website http://www.ade.state.az.us/ess/das/pinspals/ and all of its information packed documents. In addition, parents can call the toll-free hotline M-F 8am-5pm 1-877-230-PINS (7467), or email PINS@azed.gov. PINS offers regional phone consultations or one on one consultations to help parents assess their child’s needs and explore options. The Network News, a quarterly newspaper provided by PINS, keeps subscribers up to date on special education issues, laws and hot topics.

When asked about how she got started, Barb relates, “After the diagnosis of my son with autism in 1994 and reading my first procedural safeguard notice (PSN); I was overwhelmed with the amount of information needed to successfully navigate special education to ensure my son’s right to a free appropriate public education. It became clear to me if I wanted to make a difference for my son, I needed to help all children.” Following her quest she participated in training offered by the Arizona Center for Disability Law, then volunteered as a court appointed surrogate parent for children who were wards of the state. She became involved with Arc of Arizona, co-chaired the education committee and sat on the Governor’s Council for Developmental Disabilities Education Subcommittee. She also worked as legislative liaison for Arc of Arizona.

Barb recommends that you “Be proactive and learn your parental rights before you have issues or concerns.” She also recommends that you “Prepare for the IEP well in advance, fully review all details of the IEP, and learn about current research for best practices for teaching a student with your child’s disability. Be part of the solution!”

Barb’s children have grown and many of them attended and graduated from SUSD schools – two with disabilities. She continues to serve all children with disabilities because “it’s the right thing to do.”

In His Image Christmas Party/Respite Time

Pam Murphy — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 03:32:39 +0000

The Highlands Church Special Needs Ministry is hosting a community Christmas Party and respite time for children and adults with special needs. They will play games, make crafts, have your picture taken with Santa, have snacks and sing songs.

December 4th from 1pm-5pm

Please RSVP to Missy Farrington 602-820-3345

missyf@highlandschurch.org

Highlands Church

9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale, AZ

Special Education Reform

Pam Murphy — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 03:26:32 +0000

Dr. Matthew Ladner will speak to the Cactus Conservative Club at our Tuesday, November 16 meeting, 6:30PM at the Legend Trail Community Center, 34575 N. Legend Trail Pkwy., Scottsdale. This will be a good follow up to our October meeting, when we saw and heard Secretary of State, Ken Bennett, demonstrate how much of the Arizona state budget is allocated to education. His focus will be on Special Education Reform.

Dr. Ladner is Vice President of Research for the Goldwater Institute. Prior to joining Goldwater, Ladner was director of state projects at the Alliance for School Choice, where he provided support and resources for state-based school choice efforts. Ladner has written numerous studies on school choice, charter schools and special education reform. Ladner is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and received both a Masters and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Houston. Ladner previously served as director of the Center for Economic Prosperity at the Goldwater Institute and as vice president of policy and communications at Children First America.

If you plan to attend, please Email stephensonaz@cox.net, and by all means, bring a friend. Everyone is welcome. We look forward to seeing you and having a good turnout for Dr. Ladner speaking on this very important issue.

Behavioral Health Updates

Pam Murphy — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 03:20:44 +0000

HERE ARE JUST A FEW WAYS WE CAN ALL STAY INFORMED ABOUT and INVOLVED IN WHAT IS HAPPENING LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY RELATED TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH:

Participate in a Peer Focus Group

DBHS will be conducting a series of focus groups across the State to gather members’ collective opinion about the publicly funded behavioral health system and the services it offers. The objective of the focus groups is to determine what is critical or valuable in meeting members’ needs. For those members who are not able to attend a focus group, we will be making a questionnaire available online so you can still participate and have your voice heard. All members across the state are encouraged to participate in this opportunity to identify what YOU think are critical and valuable behavioral health services!

DHS/DBHS Updates

Find important information about what is happening at the state level with our behavioral health system, locate resources within your community, health and wellness tips and access RBHA websites/event calendars – and you can post questions, comments or concerns as well as sign up to receive a notice whenever an update is added to the website: http://www.azdhs.gov/bhs/updates/

Arizona Peer & Family Coalition

APFC is made up of statewide peers, family members and community members. The Coalition is dedicated to promoting peer and family voice as equal partners in all aspects of Arizona’s behavioral health system. Get your voice heard – and learn how you can positively impact Arizona’s behavioral health system! (See the attached flyer.)

Become actively involved in the peer-run or family-run agency in your community

Just a few are:

Southeastern Arizona Consumer-Run Services (SEACRS, Sierra Vista: (520) 452-0080 / 866-455-0080)

NAZcare (serving northern AZ: http://www.nazcare.org)

MIKID (outside of Maricopa County: 800-356-4543, www.mikid.org)

Visions of Hope (602-404-1555, Warm Line: 602-347-1100, http://phxhope.org)

Cheeers (602-246-7607, http://www.cheeers.org)

Family Involvement Center (Parent Assistance Line: 602-288-0155, www.familyinvolvementcenter.org)

STAR (Central, East & West Valley’s in Maricopa county: http://www.thestarcenters.org/index.asp)

Recovery Empowerment Network (602-248-0368, http://www.recoveryempowermentnetwork.com)

Hope, Inc. (520-770-1197, http://www.hopetucson.org/)

National Mental Health America (www.nmha.org)

Americans who promote mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation—everyday and in times of crisis. Mental Health America offers the information and news needed to work effectively on mental health issues, and keep up to speed on the latest policy and research developments. Raising awareness through educational and advocacy activities, support groups and fighting stigma with Stigma Watch. Read the latest issue of The Bell

Mental Health America – Arizona

6411 East Thomas Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85251
Phone: 480.994.4407
Toll-Free: 1.800.642.9277
Email: general@mhaarizona.org

Web site: http://www.mhaarizona.org

National NAMI – Newsroom (www.nami.org)

Expert analysis on a wide range of issues related to severe mental illnesses or brain disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder/manic-depression, major depression, and anxiety disorders.

Current data on research, treatments, rates of prevalence

Interviews with national spokespersons and technical experts

Comment on breaking news

Education, parent and peer support groups, fighting stigma with StigmaBuster’s

	NAMI Arizona
	5025 E Washington St Ste 112 Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone:	(602)244-8166
Toll-Free:	(800)626-5022

Email :	namiaz@namiaz.org
Website:	www.namiaz.org

SAMHSA

Works to improve the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, alcohol and drug addiction treatment, and mental health services (national): http://www.samhsa.gov/

National Federation of Families

Parent-run organization supporting family-run programs to meet the needs of children and youth with emotional, behavioral or mental disorders: http://www.ffcmh.org

Mental health: everyone has it!

SUNsational Sibshops News

Pam Murphy — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:41:39 +0000

Join us for our November 13 Sibshop

In conjunction with Ryan House

Register today for our next SUNsational Sibshop on Saturday, November 13, 2010. We have fun activities planned, including:

Chefs will come in at lunchtime to work with the kids

Arizona Friends In Sign will teach the kids a song in sign language

Designed for children ages 6-13, Sibshops are fun, lively workshops that provide siblings of children with special needs, ranging from developmental to life-limiting conditions, the opportunity to interact with peers and make new friends. Co-facilitated by professionals from CITT and Ryan House, Sibshops are limited to 20 children to maximize each child’s experience.

Date: Saturday, November 13, 2010

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Location: Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, 85014, Conference Room 1

The registration fee is $15 per child.

Click here for a registration form, or contact kathy@cittkids.org to have a form sent to you.

Sibshops fill up quickly, so please contact us to register today or learn more.

National website: www.siblingsupport.org

Positive Steps to Resolve Special Education Disputes

Pam Murphy — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:37:01 +0000

You Say You Want a Resolution?

Positive Steps to Resolve Special Education Disputes

Kacey Gregson, Director of Dispute Resolution, Arizona Department of Education

Kathy Serrano and Susan Grace, Mediators

Amy Dill, Parent Information Network Specialist

Topics Covered Include:

• Informal Dispute Resolution Strategies

• Mediation

• Complaints and Due Process

Saturday, Nov. 13th, 2010

8:15 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Disability Empowerment Center

The Nina Mason Pulliam Conference Center,

5025 E. Washington St.,

Phoenix, AZ 85034

Registration required – No childcare

To register online:

www.raisingspecialkids.org

or call Raising Special Kids at

602-242-4366 or 800-237-3007

Support for parents of

youth and children with

disabilities and

special needs.

Free For Families

Independent Living Resource Fair

Pam Murphy — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:25:59 +0000

Hosted by Arizona Bridge to Independent Living, the Resource Fair’s primary goal is to provide information to assist Consumers, Caregivers, Families and the Community with resources to enhance independent living.

Disability Empowerment Center at 5025 E. Washington

November 12, 2010 from 10am-3pm at the Nina Mason Pulliam Conference Center

RSVP to Lynne at 602-296-0534

Classes:

10:00am to 11:00am ADVOCATING FOR YOURSELF-Lynn Black

“This is My Life” Program Manager

ADVOCATING FOR OTHERS-David Carey

Advocacy Specialists

2:00pm to 3:00pm LAUGHTER THERAPY-Lyne Petersen

Certified Laughter Leader

11:00-2:00pm Information Booths:

Disability Empowerment Agencies

Arizona Autism United , Arizona Bridge to Independent Living , Arizona Center for Disability Law, Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association, Arizona Statewide Independent Living Council, Joni & Friends, National Alliance on Mental Illness Arizona, National MS Society (Arizona Chapter), Raising Special Kids, Symbius, Traumatic Brain Injury Association, Valley Center of the Deaf

Community Agencies

Valley Metro/Light Rail

Special Needs Trusts Estate Planning Seminar

Pam Murphy — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:06:05 +0000

Davis Miles, PLLC Presents:

A FREE Estate Planning Seminar

Special Needs Trusts

WHEN: Wednesday, November 10, 2010 6:00pm

WHERE: Davis Miles, PLLC 80 E Rio Salado Pkwy, Ste 401, Tempe, AZ 85281

PRESENTER: Attorney Kevin Wick

Families with a loved one with special needs face many difficult decisions. The family often wants to take care of the special needs child or disabled person financially but is faced with the possibility that the disabled family member may lose his or her public benefits. Both the legal and financial decisions made today will have a profound effect on a special need’s beneficiary’s quality of life, years beyond the current view of most families and planners.

What happens if no advance planning occurs? An inheritance or other assets received by an individual with special needs will likely be disqualified from what often are substantial and critically needed government benefits. Find out exactly what that will mean for you and your family.

As a father to three children dealing with disorders on the autism spectrum, Kevin Wick has personal insight into the challenges families face, and has implemented special needs planning for his own family, along with numerous clients. Please join us for an informative evening that will prepare you for making the best of decisions for you and your family.

About the Attorney:

Kevin Wick’s practice areas include Estate Planning, Probate, Trust Administration, Business and Corporate Law, Contracts and Taxation. He is a graduate of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he received both his BA and his JD. Mr. Wick is admitted to the US District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin as well as the Arizona and Wisconsin state Supreme Courts.

REGISTER:

by calling 480-344-4072 or from our website www.davismiles.com

VOTE YES! for the SUSD school bond

Pam Murphy — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:51:13 +0000

SEPAC of Scottsdale urges you to Vote YES for the SUSD school bond. Here’s what it will do.

1. It rebuilds & renovates middle schools for 21st century programs & high tech learning opportunities for competitive edge

2. It creates safer facilities with significant energy savings … Est. @ $400,000 per Year

3. Great schools build great communities that attract businesses & jobs

4. There are low construction costs & interest rates = Great Timing For Building Projects

5. It helps maintain & protect property values

6. It has NO Property Tax Rate Increase

SC del Sol – Special Olympics AZ

Pam Murphy — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 02:30:35 +0000

Fall 2010 Join us at Moon Valley Park at 4:00 pm Sundays for an hour of exciting soccer training!

SC del Sol has professionally trained coaches who will work with your athlete and partner athletes to build and enhance soccer skills in a fun environment.

Fall 2010 Training Dates:

October 10, 17, 24 and 31

November 7, 14, and 21

December 5

All special athletes, any age and ability are welcome to join the fun.

Questions about our program? Contact program coordinator, Patsy McFadden at 623.337.7428, or check out the SC del Sol website for more information!

Hope to see you on Sunday!

Unified Soccer Clinic