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Last Updated: 02/05/2010
 
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Bridges4Kids - Helping parents and professionals with Michigan's most comprehensive source of information on education news and resources for special needs and at-risk children from birth to transition to adult life.
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Welcome to Bridges4Kids!  We are a non-profit organization providing a comprehensive system of information and referral for parents and professionals seeking help for children from birth through transition to adult life.

Breaking News

starAdministration Outlines Proposed Changes to ‘No Child’ Lawstar
The Obama administration said on Monday that it would ask Congress to raise education spending by about $3.5 billion, a 7.5 percent increase, for the 2011 fiscal year, even as it sought to limit other categories of domestic spending.

starCPS Tactics Found To Violate Civil Rights: Ruling from 9th Circuitstar
This is a new published 9th Circuit civil rights case from Oregon holding common CPS investigation tactics to be unconstitutional under either the 4th or 14th Amendment despite evidence that the child they sought to protect was at risk.

starWI State Rejects Seclusion Rooms for Students with Disabilitiesstar
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has rejected the Greenfield School District's plan to use federal stimulus dollars to construct seclusion areas for students with disabilities and informed districts statewide that federal special-education funds should not be used for such purposes.

starAR Arkansas Fifth Grader with Autism Facing Felony Chargesstar

Carole Reynolds is desperate to help her 11 year old grandson, Zakhqurey Price, who faces multiple counts of felonious assault against school district employees.

starFree e-Book My Brother Has Autism (2009)star

This book was written by an 8 year old girl whose brother has Autism. It describes her feelings and what life is like for her and her family. The entire book is illustrated by her brother, Michael. The book is dedicated to all of the boys and girls out there who have autism and the siblings who love them.
starMother of Autistic Boy Proud of Siblings' Appearance on TVstar
A surreal feeling came over Jackson resident Jackie Igafo-Te'o the moment she saw two of her children on television last week. Melody, 13, and her brother, Michael, 15, were featured in a two-minute Disney Channel segment called "The Time I Realized My Brother was Different." The siblings had been filmed in July to illustrate Melody's experience of what it's like to live with a brother with autism.

starMI Anti-Restraint Bill Introduced in Michiganstar
Schools could no longer use restraints or a locked, secluded room to punish children under legislation introduced today by Rep. Deb Kennedy (D-Brownstown Twp.). According to a new report by the Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service, restraint and seclusion practices in Michigan's schools are unregulated, underreported and potentially fatal. In 2003, two Michigan students died while being physically restrained by school officials. "This is a widespread problem that affects students with disabilities and their families across the country, including many who live right here in Michigan," said Elmer Cerano, executive director of the Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service. [MIRS 12-2-09]

starBridges4kids Featured Resource: Michigan Law School Programstar

starMI Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Educationstar

Supplemented With IDEA Federal Regulations (4/09)

starMI Highly Recommended! The Education Law Centerstar

A one-stop resource for information on the laws that apply in a school setting. ELC lawyers have years of practical experience and include John Brower, Bridges4Kids’ resource attorney.

starSketchUp: Kids With Autism Love This Softwarestar
A program from Google, created for architects, is an unexpected hit with children on the autism spectrum.

star10 Tips for Good Advocatesstar
Wrightslaw's Pat Howey says parents need to understand that the law gives them power to use in educational decisions for their children. Parents should not be afraid to use their power. But, there are better ways to obtain positive results than to roar through IEP meetings in a Mack Truck. Here are Pat's newest tips for effective, successful advocates.

starReexamining Rowley: A New Focus in Special Education Lawstar
Three important events have occurred since the Rowley decision that impact the validity of the "some educational benefit" standard and change the nature of educational services that schools must provide to students who receive special education services under the IDEA.

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starThe Secret Social Skills Ingredientstar

I love the story about a man who approached legendary pianist Arthur Rubinstein on the street in New York and asked, “Excuse me, how do I get to Carnegie Hall?” Rubinstein reportedly looked at the man and said, “Practice, practice, practice.” This anecdote may be apocryphal, but it’s still a great story.

starFree Virtual Field Trips Bring the World into Any Classroomstar

When virtual field trips began, most of such journeys were underwhelming, but recent technology has allowed the development of impressive -- and free -- adventures. Blue Zones Quest encourages healthy behaviors through scientific exploration of cultural practices, GoNorth! brings students to the North Pole via dogsled, Windows into Wonderland explores the geysers and hot springs of Yellowstone National Park, and National Geographic: Lewis & Clark traces the famous explorers' path from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.

starA Walk In The Park Improves Attention In Children With ADHDstar
For children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) tasks that require concentration such as doing homework or taking a test can be very difficult. A simple, inexpensive remedy may be a "dose of nature."

starLegal Analysis of IDEA from The Council of Parentstar

Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA)

starMI Parents: Free Services Help Children Succeed in Childcarestar

Are you a parent or child care provider looking for help with a difficult child between the ages of 0 to 5 or in need of resources to best handle tantrums, aggression, biting, or possible developmental delays?  The Care Connections program offers free services designed to help young children succeed in any child care setting.  To find out more please call Ms. Lynnell Morrison at (313) 531-2500 ext. 2125. 

starEmpathy in the Classroomstar

Let me tell you about the worst "teacher" I ever had. He was a salesman standing in for a trainer who’d gotten ill. He’d come to our company’s location to teach a roomful of us to use a complicated, computer controlled, multi-projector slide show system. This salesman made a classic teaching mistake. He assumed that because something he worked with every day was easy for him to understand, it should be easy for others to pick up. He rattled off information about the system in machine-gun fashion. When he repeatedly asked us if we understood something and various class members said, "No," he impatiently snapped his fingers at us and barked, "Keep up, keep up!" Some students got disgusted and left the class at the break. Others stuck it out, but learned little.

starServing Victims of Crime with Autismstar
The Autism Society of America Addresses Needs of Crime Victims with Autism - As part of its Crime Victims with Autism Assistance, Education, and Training Program, a project funded by the Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime, the Autism Society of America has created a series of fact sheets and brochures to assist crime victim assistance professionals, families, and individuals with autism. A 2007 ASA survey of individuals with autism and their families revealed that 35% of individuals with autism have been the victim of a crime and the ASA is taking steps to help communities and professionals provide crime victim assistance. These much-needed materials are the first of a series of publications designed to improve services to crime victims with autism. Watch for the project’s training curriculum which will be available in the coming months!

starMI Standards for the Emergency Use of Seclusion & Restraintstar
The document, Supporting Student Behavior: Standards for the Emergency Use of Seclusion and Restraint is now available on the Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services (OSE-EIS) Web site. The document summarizes how a positive behavior support approach uses proactive strategies to reduce or eliminate the use of seclusion and restraint; defines the terms "seclusion" and "restraint"; outlines procedures for emergency use of seclusion and restraint; and provides a framework for training.

starParents of Special-Needs Children Divided Over Promise to Helpstar
Amid the barbs and hockey banter Wednesday night, Gov. Sarah Palin directed an emotional appeal to the hearts of millions of parents with children who have special needs, promising they would “have a friend and advocate in the White House” in a McCain-Palin administration. As she spoke, the camera panned to her baby, Trig, who has Down syndrome.

starBridges4kids Featured Resource: ParentsConnectstar
ParentsConnect is brought to you by the same folks who bring you Nickelodeon. "As you probably know, we like to make fun stuff for kids. That's because, as parents ourselves, we know how important it is to keep kids happy. But we also know that kids aren't the only ones who need stuff just for them, which is why we decided to create a space for parents too. You're looking at it ... and it's all about you. Our motto is: We're not perfect, we're parents. And we mean it!"

starNew Manual on Advocacy for Students with Epilepsystar
The Epilepsy Foundation has just published a new, free legal resource, Legal Rights of Children with Epilepsy in School & Child Care: An Advocate’s Manual. This manual provides detailed practical guidance – for both parents and attorneys – on effective advocacy. strategies. Although parts of the manual focus on the needs of children with epilepsy, it would also be useful for people who advocate for kids with other chronic illnesses like diabetes. Most of it will be useful to people who advocate for children with disabilities. Describes rights under IDEA, 504, ADA and more.

starMI Policy Supports Student Behaviorstar
In question and answer format, this article discusses how the State of Michigan, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services is interpreting the December 12, 2006 policy passed by the Michigan State Board of Education on Standards for the Emergency Use of Seclusion and Restraint. [Focus on Results: 2007-08 Volume #6, Issue #2, Packet #11, Article 1]

starPeople w/Disabilities Gaining Independence Through Video Gamesstar
Today’s video games serve a multitude of functions ranging from entertainment to exercise and even education. Now, three graduates from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Class of 2008 have created a game with an even more important purpose—to foster independence among disabled individuals.

starMicrosoft Improves Word for the Blindstar
Microsoft has joined with Sonata Software Ltd. and the Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) Consortium to launch an initiative to make Word documents more accessible to blind and print-disabled users.

starBridges4kids Featured Resource: Scholarship Junkiesstar
Stuck on a scholarship essay? Need a letter of recommendation from your teacher? At Scholarship Junkies, you can learn from the tips and suggestions of students who have won scholarships on local and national levels. Follow these steps and start maximizing your scholarship potential today!

starResource Sites for Parents and Studentsstar
FunBrain, Scholastic Kids, Homework Spot, PBS Kids, Game Goo, Learning that Sticks, Aplusmath.com! This web site was developed to help students improve their math skills interactively. S.O.S. Mathematics - for high school math support. Math.com, and University of Cambridge.

starHow to Resolve Special Education Disputesstar
In drafting the provisions of IDEA, Congress clearly contemplated that, at times, there would be disagreements between parents of children with disabilities and the school districts providing special education and related services to their children. When such disagreements occur, parents and school districts can turn to IDEA’s dispute resolution options. Find out what those options are---there’s a new one. NICHCY, the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, has posted a training module covering Options for Dispute Resolution which includes PowerPoint slide shows to use in training sessions, a detailed discussion of IDEA for trainers, and handouts for audience participants.

starMI Michigan Seclusion and Restraint Standards (PDF)star

starMI Bridges4Kids Parent Resource Guide (PDF)star
Find out where to find help for children in Michigan at all ages and stages. Includes toll-free numbers and websites, early childhood-specific resources and school age resources. Updated April 2006.

starMI Free Mediation Servicesstar

Free services to help schools & parents communicate before battle lines are drawn. Call (800) 873-7658.

starSpecial Education Law Questions and Answersstar

Link to Important Programs, Partnerships, and Websites Related to the Education of Children (National)
Connect For Kids Education News No Child Left Behind Wrightslaw
U.S. Department of Education (DOE) U.S. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
Families and Advocates Partnership for Education (FAPE) National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER)
National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY) National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (NECTAC) National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education (NCPIE)
Disabled Action Committee for Virginia (DAC4Virginia) AUTCOM: Autism National Committee
 

Link to Important Programs, Partnerships, and Websites Related to the Education of Children (Michigan)

 Early Childhood Michigan

Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of Michigan Association for Children's Mental Health (ACMH)  Michigan's Healthy Children Project

  Michigan Department of Education (MDE)

Office of Special Education & Early Intervention Services (OSE-EIS) Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council (DDI) Partnership for Learning
Michigan Special Ed Law Center

Michigan Chapter of the International Dyslexia Association

 Hero From Zero and Ready To Succeed - click here. Everyone Together
DD Council's Family Support Workgroup Project Find  VSA Arts of Michigan Michigan Public Schools Online
Center for Educational Networking (CEN) Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC) The Education Law Center Michigan PTA
 Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) Autism Society of Michigan

Michigan 4C Association

Great Start For Kids
  The Arc Michigan Michigan Alliance for Families  

 

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