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Coweta County Schools Workshop Series - #1 Special Education: School and Community

Coweta County Schools Workshop Series - #1 Special Education: School and Community. Coweta County Schools Workshop Series - #1 Special Education: School and Community. Judy Floyd Parent Mentor, Coweta County School System 770-254-2810 x219 Judy.floyd@cowetaschools.net Linda Wilson

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Coweta County Schools Workshop Series - #1 Special Education: School and Community

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  1. Coweta County SchoolsWorkshop Series - #1Special Education:School and Community

  2. Coweta County SchoolsWorkshop Series - #1Special Education:School and Community • Judy Floyd Parent Mentor, Coweta County School System 770-254-2810 x219 Judy.floyd@cowetaschools.net • Linda Wilson Partners in Policymaking Graduate Coweta Supporters 770-463-1658 lpwilson@numail.org

  3. Timeline for Planning • Birth to age 3 • Pre- Kindergarten • Kindergarten • First grade • Upper Elementary • Middle School (6th- 8th grade) • High School (9th-12th grades)

  4. Timeline for PlanningBirth to Age 3 • Babies Can’t Wait • Apply for Katie Beckett Waiver/ Deeming Waiver (for children ages 0- 18 yrs.old) * Join Parent to Parent (parenttoparentofga.org) , parent support groups * Learn about resources for parents * Begin to learn advocacy skills

  5. Timeline for PlanningPre-Kindergarten • Fill out “My vision for my child…” form from Parent Mentor • Build relationship with case manager • What is an IEP? (available through Parent Mentor) • Special Education Language Made Easy • IDEA, ADA and Section 504 laws and how they affect your child

  6. Timeline for PlanningKindergarten/ Early Elementary • What support is available to help my child succeed in school and how can these supports help my child? (from Parent Mentor) • Build relationship with case manager • How can I help my child succeed in school and life (utilize teachers, para-pro’s, doctors, therapists, friends, support groups) • Become comfortable with the IEP document and process

  7. Timeline for PlanningUpper Elementary • Learn more about Medicaid waivers, what supports your child might need in the future • Talk to other parents, teachers, support groups and friends about special needs trusts, guardianship, estate planning • MAPS or other Person-Centered Planning process

  8. Timeline for PlanningMiddle School • Fill out “My vision for my child…” • Discuss with teachers and friends: diploma types, college entrance requirements, day support entrance channels and waiting lists • Be mindful of collaborative vs. resource classes and advantages of each • Self-help and independent skills • Age 14, Individual Transition Plan (ITP) required

  9. Timeline for PlanningHigh School • Evaluate student’s educational program, community participation, and interests continuously (planning for post-school) • Call Columbus Community Services to be placed on a planning (waiting) list, if applicable • What agencies are needed to support my child while in school and when out? (DOL, VR, Waiver programs, “Natural Supports”) • College options, Disability Services • Work options (WBL, apprenticeships, CBVI,etc.) • Prepare for transfer of rights at age 18

  10. Timeline for PlanningLast year of high school… • Employment or education post-high school planned • Develop ISP, ESP, IPE through DOL • Explore community living options • Consider recreational, leisure activities • Plan for transportation needs • Transfer of rights or competency questions

  11. ADAAmericans with Disabilities Act • History • What it covers and what it doesn’t

  12. ADA - History • Bill of Rights – 1st disability law • Voting Rights Act – 1964 – Civil Rights Law – cannot discriminate • Rehabilitation Act – 1973 – if get federal funds cannot discriminate against disabled on federal contracts. • Signed into law by President Bush – July 26, 1990 • Protects the rights of 49 million Americans with disabilities • Fair Housing Amendment – Government funded housing

  13. ADA – Five Titles • Title I: Employment Only applies if more than 15 employees • Title II: State and Local Governments Includes Schools • Title III: Private Entities Public accommodations – restaurants, hotels, private schools. Does not cover churches • Title IV: Telecommunications TTY – relay system for hearing impaired • Title V: Miscellaneous

  14. ADA – Misc info • Churches in GA are covered by state law, wheelchair access only • ADA is a minimum law – can always ask for more • If there is a better law, it takes precedent over the ADA

  15. ADADefinition of Disability • A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more “major life activities” (daily – dressing, feeding, washing, hearing, seeing), or • A record of such an impairment, or • Being regarded as having such an impairment

  16. ADAThree Obligations • Non-discrimination No charges for adaptations Equal access to goods and services Modification of policies if necessary • Effective Communication Inter-office memos bust be accessible to print-disabled workers, interpreters for important staff meetings TDD in hotel rooms, read material that is not accessible • Physical Access For federal and public accommodations and commercial facilities New constructions must be fully accessible Removal of barriers

  17. ADAADA notes • ADA is separate from IDEA • ADA covers accessibility and accommodations – does not have to be included in an IEP. • ADA is broader than IDEA • ADA does not cover personal services, IDEA covers personal services • ADA makes it easy to file a law suit

  18. IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act • History of Special Education law • Overview of IDEA (1997) • IDEA 2004 Reauthorization

  19. IDEAHistory of Special Education Law • Early special education programs • Mandatory attendance laws • Congressional findings • Public Law 94-142 • IDEA 1997 • Reauthorization: IDEA 2004

  20. IDEAOverview of IDEA 1997 • Part A: General Provisions, Definitions • Part B: Assistance for Education of All Children with Disabilities • Part C: Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities • Part D: National Activities to Improve Education of Children with Disabilities

  21. IDEAIDEA 1997 Summary • Requires public schools to locate and identify children with disabilities who may be in need of specialized education • These children have FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education) available to them • Specific eligibility requirements for services, components of IEP, procedural requirements re: disputes, complaints

  22. IDEAIDEA 2004 Reauthorization • States implement new law in July 2005 • IDEA Purposes: - meet unique needs of student - prepare student for post-school options -statewide comprehensive, coordinated, multidisciplinary system of early intervention - research-based practices for system improvement - increase education’s effectiveness

  23. IDEAThemes in IDEA 2004 • Corresponds to No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) • Parent involvement is critical to child’s education • A child’s education should consider the academic, functional and developmental needs of the child • Paperwork should be reduced.

  24. IDEAIEP in IDEA 2004 • Goals and objectives • Measurable annual goals (including transition goals) • No short term objectives REQUIRED for students not on GAA (alternative assessment) • All other children studying GPS (Georgia Performance Standards)

  25. IDEAIEP Meetings in IDEA 2004 • IEP team members may be excused from meeting if area not discussed, or if area discussed, they provide written info to the IEP team and parent ahead of time AND parent agrees in writing to excusal • IEPS may be amended if parent agrees without a meeting for some IEP changes • IEP’s may occur via phone, or other alternative methods

  26. IDEADue Process under IDEA 2004 • Requests must be determined “sufficient” by hearing officer • A resolution session will be offered by the system to try to resolve the problem • Mediation is available without the request for a due process hearing and • If agreement in mediation is reached, it is legally binding

  27. IDEADiscipline under IDEA 2004 • Removal to Alternative Education setting • 45 days changed to 45 school days • Must still do Functional Behavior Analysis (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) • School personnel may consider unique circumstances case by case in disciplinary procedures

  28. Section 504 • Civil rights law • Prohibits discrimination on basis of disability in programs receiving federal funds • Eligibility (“Handicapped Person” defined) • Students with IEP’s are covered automatically under Section 504 • 504 Plan- to give access to general education curriculum • Does not require “maximized” learning

  29. Section 504504 Accommodation Plan • No legal requirements for what should be included, but it usually addresses: • Disability and major life activity it limits • Basis for determining the disability • Educational impact of disability • Necessary Accommodations • Placement in Least Restrictive Environment

  30. MAPSMaking Action Plans • Person-Centered Planning method • Can build personal and community support for person with a disability to achieve academic, social, life goals • Team includes student, peers, family, teachers, community members • Basic questions are asked of everyone: • Who is _________? • What is _______’s story? • What is your dream for ________? • What is your nightmare? • What are ________’s strengths? • What are ________’s needs? • ACTION Plan is established by the team.

  31. Respite • Everyone needs a break!!! • Important to be comfortable with caregivers • Resources • Hope House • Richard’s House • We Care Volunteer program (Hope House) • Happy Kids Co-op • GCSS

  32. Respite • Hope House – Southwest Christian Care Care for medically fragile children who are stable and primarily non-ambulatory – located in Union City Contact: Yvonne Strickland, 770-969-8354 E-mail: ystrickland@swchristiancare.org Web site: www.swchristiancare.org • Richard’s Home Respite care for young adults/adults – located in Carrollton Contact: Alice, 770-830-1156 • WeCare Home Volunteer Program – SoutheastChristian Care In home care for children with developmental or neurological disability. Contact: Lori Sumner, 770-969-8354 E-mail: lsumner@swchristiancare.org Web site: www.swchristiancare.org

  33. Respite • Happy Kids Co-op Babysitting co-op for children with special needs and their siblings You provide care one Saturday night, you get 3 Saturday nights in return Contact: Sharolyn Smith 678-423-3760 E-mail: Sismith0717@aol.com • GCSS – Georgia Community Support & Solutions Respite care for all ages throughout metropolitan Atlanta Contact: 404-634-4222 E-mail: Respite@gacommunity.org Web site: www.gacommunity.com • FOCUS – Families of Children Under Stress Support to families with children with disabilities Contact: 770-234-9111 Web site: www.focus-ga.org

  34. Resources • ARC • Parent to Parent • Newnan-Coweta ARC (Rutledge) • Southern Crescent Area Aging • Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities – GCDD • Atlanta Alliance for Developmental Disabiities - AADD • Marcus Center • Peachcare • Department of Family and Children Services - DFACS • Children’s Healthcare-Atlanta • Georgia Advocacy Office - GAO • Parents Educating Parents - PEPP • Pathways • Babies Can’t Wait

  35. Resources • Schwab Learning • Lekotek • The Georgia Learning Resources System (GLRS) • Georgia PINES • Tools for Life • TechKnowledge • Georgia Department of Education • Center for the Visually Impaired • Unlock the Waiting Lists • Special education laws • Parent mentors of Georgia • Coweta County Schools • Families of Children Under Stress

  36. Resources • Parent to Parent Roadmap to Services www.parenttoparentofga.org 770-451-5484 debi@parenttoparentofga.org • ARC www.arcga.org 404-634-5512 info@arcga.org • Newnan-Coweta ARC (Rutledge) 770-253-1189 bwelch@newnanutilities.org

  37. Resources • Southern Crescent Area Agency on Aging Mary Byrd 404-463-3333 • Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities – GCDD www.gcdd.org 404-657-2126 • Atlanta Alliance for Developmental Disabilities – AADD www.aadd.org 404-881-9777 info@aadd.org

  38. Resources • Marcus Institute www.marcus.org 404-419-4000 • Peachcare 1-877-GA-PEACH www.dch.state.ga.us • Department of Family and Children Services – DFACS Dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov Coweta County – 770-254-7234 • Children’s Healthcare-Atlanta 404-250-KIDS www.choa.org

  39. Resources • Georgia Advocacy Office – GAO PLSP – Parent Leadership Support Project www.thegao.org 404-885-1234 info@thegao.org • Parents Educating Parents and Professionals – PEPP www.peppinc.org 770-577-7771 peppinc@peppinc.org • Pathways/Kids Fare 770-254-7381

  40. Resources • Babies Can’t Wait Health.state.ga.us/programs/bcw 404-657-2726 gdphinfo@dhr.state.ga.us • Schwab Learning www.schwablearning.org 650-655-2410 • MHDDAD Region 1 – office in Rome Mhddad.dhr.georgia.gov Regional Coordinator Charles Fetner 1-800-646-7721 or 706-802-5272 Columbus Community Services 1-800-646-7721 or 706-494-5929

  41. Resources • Lekotek of GA Phone: (404) 633-3430 E-Mail: lekotekga@mindspring.com Web site: www.lekotekga.org • The Georgia Learning Resources System (GLRS)– WestCentral GLRS Phone: 770-583-2528 Web site: www.glrs.org • Georgia PINES Phone: (800) 522-8652 | (404) 298-4882 (Voice & TTY) E-mail: csulliva@doe.k12.ga.us Web site: www.gapines.net

  42. Resources • Tools for Life 1-800-497-866, TDD 404-486-6333 www.gatfl.org • TechKnowledge Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA) 800-726-9119 or 404-385-1718 www.catea.org/techknow.html • Georgia Department of Education 404 656-3963 www.doe.k12.ga.us/curriculum/exceptional

  43. Resources • Center for the Visually Impaired 404-875-9011 www.cviatlanta.org • Unlock the Waiting Lists www.unlockthewaitinglists.com • Special education law www/wrightlaw.com • Parent mentor program in Georgia www.parentmentors.org

  44. Resources • Coweta County School System See detailed handout. www.cowetaschools.org • Families of Children Under Stress – FOCUS 770-234-9111 www.focus-ga.org

  45. Local Groups • ASPIRES • Coweta Supporters of Special Students • ExceptionalOps • Parent Teacher Action Committee • Babysitting Co-op • C.A.R.P. • Fayette County Aspergers Syndrome Support Group • CHADD

  46. Local Groups • ASPIRES Autism and Aspergers Support Contact: Sandy Smith 770-252-2117, E-mail: sandys30277@yahoo.com • Coweta Supporters Support for all children/young adults with disabilities Contact: Linda Wilson 770-463-1658 E-mail: lpwilson@numail.org • ExceptionalOps Support for all children/adults with disabilities in Fayette County Contact: Janet Smola or Terry Whitlock, 770-487-1562 E-mail: ExceptionalOps@yahoo.com Web site: www.ExceptionalOps.com

  47. Local Groups • Parent/Teacher Action Committee Coweta County Schools Support Group Contact: Judy Floyd, Parent Mentor, 770-254-2810 x219 E-mail: judy.floyd@cowetaschools.net Web site: www.cowetaschools.net • C.A.R.P. – Caregivers for Action, Responsibility and Planning For caregivers of adults with disabilities Contact: Sarah Pike 770-251-5896 E-mail: spike@numail.org

  48. Local Groups • Fayette Autism Aspergers Group Support for individuals with Asbergers Contact: Dixie Brienza 770-632-3891 E-mail: AspergersSupport@aol.com • Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder - CHADD Attention deficit disorder support group Web site: www.chadd.org

  49. Online SupportListservs • Georgia Advocacy Alert • To provide Legislative Advocacy Alerts • groups.yahoo.com/group/ga-advalert • Georgia Advocates Network • State wide network of special needs advocates sharing information • groups.yahoo.com/group/GA-AdvocatesNetwork • Georgia Children’s Network • Bridging special needs families with others • groups.yahoo.com/group/GA-ChildrensNetwork

  50. Online SupportListservs • Georgia Parents Network • For parents/guardians of children with disabilities • groups.yahoo.com/group/GA-ParentNetwork • Georgia Parents Network • For parents/guardians of children with disabilities • groups.yahoo.com/group/GA-ParentNetwork • Georgia Aspires • Share ideas/supports as go through the Spectrum Maze • Health.groups.yahoo.com/group/georgiaaspires

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