Fall is in the air, and along with it, crisp weather, pumpkin-spiced everything, and school in full swing. The honeymoon period is over and staff and students are digging in — this is the perfect time to take stock of our IEPs and make sure our kids are receiving the services and supports they need to make meaningful progress — and get their year off to a great start! Say hello to the fall check-in, or as we like to call it: “The Reality Check.” About four to six weeks after school begins, it’s important to make time to review some key areas of our kids’ IEPs to see what may need updating or adjusting.
Here’s what to look for & how to make the changes your child needs:
1)Review your child’s IEP! It’s time to make sure the accommodations, modifications, and related services your child receives are still working. How do you know if your child’s IEP is being implemented in all the ways the team agreed it should be, and what do you do if it isn’t? Check out our article How to Make Sure Your IEP Is Being Followed to find out.
Undivided members can access our step-by-step guide to ensuring your child’s IEP is being followed in the Undivided app with links, templates, and easy-to-follow instructions that walk parents through the process one step at a time.
2) Do they need assessments? Is your child able to keep up with the pace of classwork? Could a few well-designed apps make reading and writing easier so they can focus on learning? A new assessment could go a long way toward getting your child the supports they need.
3) Find reasons three, four, and five, plus links to in-depth how-to’s to help you make all this happen and more, in our article The Fall Check-In: Following Up with an IEP at the Beginning of the New School Year.
This week’s parent win: the power of impactful connections! One of our team members received heartfelt praise from a client who declared that talking to her is the highlight of their day. ❤️
Getting the Most Out of Self-Determination (don’t give up!)
Our Facebook Live event with SDP Program Manager Christine C. Tolbert is coming up on October 5! Regional Center’s Self-Determination Program (SDP) gives people with disabilities more freedom to choose the services and supports that help them meet their goals.
Whether your child is already enrolled and you want to get more out of SDP, or you’re interested in learning more about the program, join us for a live event with the California State Council for Developmental Disabilities. (A full replay and recap of the highlights will be sent to RSVPs if you can’t make it live!) Sign up for the event here.
Preparing for the One-Month IEP Check-In
Did you miss our live event with education advocate Dr. Sarah Pelangka about working with your IEP team to make sure your child has all the accommodations and services they need at the beginning of the school year? No problem! Find the full replay on here on our Facebook page!
UD Conversations: ESY
Our next installment of Undivided Conversations with David German, a partner at Vanaman German, and Melinda Bird, senior litigation counsel at Disability Rights California, all about inclusive extended school year (ESY) will debut this Friday, September 22, at 11:00 a.m. PDT on our Facebook Page. They’re also featured in our article Do Schools Have to Offer Inclusive Extended School Year (ESY)?
NLACRC Self-Determination Program Forum and Resource Fair
Undivided will be participating in the NLACRC SDP Resource Fair in Santa Clarita on Saturday, September 23! Join us for a day of exploring local vendors, listening to Self-Determination experts, and participating in roundtable discussions about person-centered planning, budgets, and more! Come find our table and say hi to Undivided Navigator Carrie!
- How do you know which supports your child may need in a gen ed setting? Watch on YouTube→
- Looking for local classes, referrals, and other advice? Feel free to ask in our private Facebook group →
- If you have an IEP meeting coming up, hear from an education advocate what to watch out for. Check it out on Instagram→
- Know anyone who could use Undivided’s resources? Share about us on LinkedIn→
- Follow up on your child’s IEP with help from an Undivided Navigator at every step. Start here→
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This newsletter was originally sent to our subscribers on 9/21/23. Subscribe to our newsletter to get more resources like this in your inbox, or check out our full library of articles, templates, and videos at undivided.io/resources.
