Back-to-school season means more than new teachers and schedules — it’s all the big and small ways we try to keep our kids safe, healthy, and regulated every day. And as our kids grow, each new school year brings fresh (and sometimes overwhelming) challenges. Wouldn’t it be great if there were a guidebook for handling bullying or teasing, supporting our kids’ anxiety and mental health, making sure staff know what to do in an emergency (whether it’s a fire drill, lockdown, or medical situations), and building supports for all of it into the IEP or 504 plan?
That’s where we come in. We’ve created the resources you need to help you and your family feel more prepared and confident this school year, starting with one of the most important questions: Do you have an emergency plan in your IEP?
In this newsletter:
🗓️ 8/25 FREE virtual event with Dina Kaplan from Vanaman German
👨👩👧👦 9/3 office hours with Education Attorney David Tollner
🎧 AI-powered podcast episode on emergency plans
🎤 8/23 & 8/24 Undivided Conversations: Emergency & Health Plans + Bullying Prevention
School safety
Did you know emergency plans in an IEP can cover everything from medical emergencies to school lockdowns? Read all about IEP-specific emergency plans and grab our downloadable one-sheet emergency plan template and school safety checklist. Then dive into an Individualized Health Plan (IHP) in an IEP — real-life sample IHP included! Plus, explore our Visual Stories Library for printable, customizable templates that make it easy to create visual stories for school health and evacuation plans.
If you’re an Undivided member→ Get a step-by-step walkthrough to create your child’s school health plan by adding this goal to your account!
Mental and emotional health
Having mental and behavioral health support on campus is vital for our kids’ wellbeing! Learn more about qualifying for mental health services through IEPs and 504 plans, specific ways to help kids build better self-regulation and manage behaviors, and more.
Bullying
No parent wants to hear that their child is being bullied. Our resources can help. Start by understanding the steps you (and the school) can take to tackle bullying and use our new bullying safety plan checklist full of questions to discuss with your school team. If the school doesn’t act, a Gebser letter can help.
Undivided platform tour + new IEP Assistant sneak peek!
Hey parents, as the new school year kicks off, here’s one tool to take some weight off your shoulders: the Undivided app — an all-in-one platform which aims to revolutionize your IEP and education support. With the help of our new IEP Assistant, the first AI-powered tool designed to help build the most effective IEP for your child, you’ll have access to tools unlike anything you’ve used before.
And here’s the great news: the Undivided IEP Assistant officially launches this fall! Stay tuned for more updates! 🚀
One of our parent members told us, “Undivided is the one stop for parents needing help with resource finding for kids and adults with disabilities. Their Navigators are kind, knowledgeable and ready to help line up the information and connections that most parents need.”
FREE virtual event: RSVP now → Back to School with Education Attorney Dina Kaplan from Vanaman German
Although we’re always concerned with ensuring our kids’ rights to an education are protected, we know this isn’t a typical school year. Reality has set in and many parents are stressed about statewide district budget deficits, unknown federal cuts, staff shortages, and fears about how our kids’ education will be affected. Join us on Thursday, September 25, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. PT for a FREE event where Education Attorney Dina Kaplan will help answer questions and help you navigate a school year where the stakes and potential barriers seem higher than ever. RSVP here→
Join us for expert office hours
If you’re an Undivided member, join us for office hours on Wednesday, September 3, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. PT with Education Attorney David Tollner, who’ll be available to answer all of your questions about IEPs, special education, and more. If you’re not an Undivided member yet, get started here to join us for office hours every week.
Upcoming Undivided Conversations on our Facebook page
- August 23 at 10:00 a.m. PT – Keeping Kids Safe at School with Emergency and Health Plans. Want to ensure your child’s safety and well-being at school? Join this restream with expert insights on emergency and health plans from Mary Ann Strawhacker, special education nurse consultant, and Dr. Sarah Pelangka, special education advocate and BCBA-D.
- August 24 at 10:00 a.m. PT – Bullying Prevention. Join us again with Sarah Flier from the American School Counselors Association
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How and why should you write a health plan into your child’s IEP? Hear this quick explanation from education advocate Lisa Carey on our YouTube channel→
Share your back-to-school stories with other parents in the Undivided community — from unexpected surprises to small wins that feel huge. Join the ongoing discussion in our private Facebook group for parents→
Have you been keeping up with our disability book club? Our latest pick is a picture book perfect for teaching kids about disability rights! Check it out on our Instagram→
Our resources are here to make back-to-school season easier for parents, school teams, providers, and of course our kids! Share Undivided’s resources on LinkedIn→
