Transitions can be tough-but they don’t have to be! Join us as we discuss strategies to smooth the move between the different school levels. Join us as Susan Thomas, former Special Education Director, and Melissa Sanders, Family Connection’s Director of Training and parent of a child with an IEP, discuss tips to prepare your child as they move between school levels-from Pre K to Elementary School to Middle School to High School. Each level is a little different and the way you prepare your child may change as well. Let’s talk!
Participants will be provided with an overview of things that families may need to consider before their youth with a disability turns 18.
Have you thought about what comes next for your youth after he/she turns 18? Are there things you need to know and prepare for prior to him/her turning 18? In this session, we will provide an overview of some of the things to consider; including, what to do about medical providers, registering to vote, Medicaid waivers, employment support services, college, life after high school, and more.
What is “the plan” for after high school? A job? College? Training? Come learn how agencies can help make “the plan” a successful REALITY!
In this session, held on November 29, 2023, Dr. Susan Thomas reviews required components for evaluation, eligibility, and process for creating a 504 plan. If you would like additional information about 504 plans or educational support for your child, please call our Support and Information Line at 1-800-578-8750.
It’s time for school! If your child has asthma, it will be important to communicate with your child’s school nurse and teachers about triggers, treatment, and what to do in case of emergency.
Everyone wins-especially the child!-when parents, caregivers, teachers, and schools have positive, effective communication. Learn with us!
Communication is important! Strong, positive communication is especially important when a child has a disability, special healthcare needs, or requires additional supports.
Join us as we talk with Dr. Susan Thomas, a former special education director, and Graham Thomas, a school administrator, about the importance of good communication between school and home and how we can encourage this to set the stage for a great school year.
Need help understanding your child’s IEP or 504 plan? Have concerns about your child’s learning and aren’t sure who to talk to? Join us as Sally Baker, Director of Education and Family Support, shares information about Family Connection’s Education Partner Program. Sally will walk us through the process from intake to education partner support.
Education Partners is a service offered because Family Connection is the state’s Parent Training and Information Center (PTI). The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) established the PTI centers nationwide to ensure access to information and needed resources. Education Partners work to strengthen family engagement in a child’s education by supporting, educating and empowering parents to learn self advocacy skills, problem solving strategies and effective communication techniques, regardless of their child’s disability, experiences or cultural background.
The start of a new school year can be stressful for families. It’s not too early to start preparing our children (and ourselves!) for the start of school. We can make this transition easier if we prepare ahead. Join us for a session on strategies for families to prepare for the start of the school year for preschool and elementary students.
Join us to learn helpful hints for preparing your child for the school year, strategies for building positive relationships with school staff, and take away resources to assist in the transition to a new school year.
Wondering how to make “Back To School” a positive thing for your middle/ high school child? Join us for strategies to lessen the stress!
How do I know if my child is in the right class for him? How does my child’s IEP team determine the most appropriate class setting for my daughter?
A central principle of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is least restrictive environment (LRE). What does this term really mean and what does it mean for my child? What do we, as parents and members of our child’s IEP team, need consider when determining class setting and least restrictive environment? Join us as we discuss these questions with Dr. Susan Thomas, former Special Education Director.
Join us as we talk with parents sharing their tips on how to have effective, positive communication with schools and their child’s teacher.
Open communication is important. When your child has a disability or special healthcare need, effective communication is even more important!
Determining the need for ESY can be confusing! Join us to discuss the “Extended School Year Considerations” found in your child’s IEP.
Determining the need for Extended School Year (ESY) services is a decision for the IEP Team. The IEP Team is made up of Special Education teacher(s), General Education teacher(s), the LEA, and YOU, the parent or caregiver. Join us to discuss what ESY is and what considerations/criteria are used to determine if your child is eligible for these services.
Special Education laws can get complex. In this interactive virtual training, we will take an in depth look at the laws that protect students with disabilities. Participants will learn about the 3 federal mandates that protect the rights of students with disabilities. We will also discuss the benefits for students with disabilities in the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that students who are eligible and need special education services have a written statement called the IEP.
Students with disabilities often experience challenges or barriers that interfere with their ability to access and demonstrate learning. Accommodations can be used for students with disabilities to help provide equal access to instruction and assessments. This training will provide a general overview of the key concepts of accommodations and how accommodations should be implemented.
Students with disabilities often experience challenges or barriers that interfere with their ability to access and demonstrate learning. Accommodations can be used for students with disabilities to help provide equal access to instruction and assessments. This training will provide a more comprehensive look at the key concepts of accommodations and how accommodations should be implemented.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that students with disabilities have measurable annual goals designed to meet the needs that result from a child’s disability and to enable the student to be involved and make progress in the general curriculum.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that students with disabilities have measurable annual goals and that these goals be progress monitored throughout the year. This session will take an in depth look at the use of progress monitoring for data-based individualization.
Dr. Susan Thomas, retired Special Education Director, provided a comprehensive introduction to the Individual Education Program (IEP) during the October 3, 2023, training, Understanding Your Child’s Individual Education. This recording outlines steps of the special education process and key terms, gives an overview of roles of all members of the IEP team and shares tips to increase parents’ knowledge in order to become an active participant in their child’s IEP meetings.
This recording provides an overview, eligibility, and enrollment process for each of the eight (8) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) available in South Carolina.
Amber Lydford, Nationally Certified Community Work Incentive Coordinator (CWIC) and Benefits Specialist II for South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation provided answered parent questions and provided resources on how to apply for SSI, how the definition/criteria of disability is different between a child and an adult, what happens when the child turns 18, and information on the appeal process.
TEFRA is a form of Medicaid. Learn about eligibility requirements, where and how to apply, and get answers to frequently asked questions!
There are options – learn more from the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs
Learn what it means to be “medically self aware” and how to support your young adult as they move from pediatric to adult medical care.
Does your young adult know his/her diagnosis or medical needs? Is he/she able to share their needs with the medical team? Does your young adult know what medications they take and why? This informational session is an introduction to the decisions and factors to consider when transitioning from pediatric to adult medical care.
Questions about Medicaid eligibility for your child? What to expect when enrolling to choose the best option for your family’s needs.
Starting April 1, 2023, South Carolina will resume its standard Medicaid annual review process!
What does this mean for you/your family? SC Healthy Connections Medicaid will be reaching out to current members over the next 12 months letting them know it’s time for your review. Learn more about this, waivers, Medicaid and TEFRA eligibility, and more at this information session!
Are you a parent of a child with a disability and have questions about SSI? Is your child currently getting TEFRA Medicaid and between the ages of 17 and 19, and not yet getting SSI? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then this training will help clear the air. This training will focus on how to apply for SSI, how the definition/criteria of disability is different between a child and an adult, and what happens when the child turns 18.
Dr. Debbie Greenhouse and the Parents as Teachers team discuss the importance of making sure your child is up-to-date with the current vaccines and well child visits. Bring your questions and concerns about the current COVID-19 vaccines for children and ask the expert! Our goal is to help families learn more about the recommended scheduled for well child visits.
Have questions about the Covid-19, pediatric testing, and DHEC guidelines for childcare center? Dr. Debbie Greenhouse with Palmetto Pediatrics and Cynthia S. Lara, Director, Child Care Licensing for DSS will provide their expertise and answer your questions.
This workshop is in partnership with DSS and Palmetto Pediatrics
Have questions about the Covid-19 vaccine, the Delta variant and your youth? Dr. Jane Kelly, the Assistant State Epidemiologist with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) will provide updates on the vaccine and answer your questions.