MI OSEP's Letter to MDE For Child Find and Early Intervention Services

http://www.earlychildhoodmichigan.org/articles/11-05/OSEP10-26-05.htm

The purpose of this letter is to respond to Michigan’s May 2, 2005 submission of its Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2003 Annual Performance Report (APR) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C for the grant period July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004.

MI New Law Removes Barriers and Adds State Oversight to Some Latchkeys

The following bill was signed into law on Thursday, November 10, 2005: 

HB 5110: http://www.legislature.mi.gov/mileg.asp?page=getObject&objName=2005-HB-5110 sponsored by Rep. Jerry Kooiman (R-Grand Rapids), allows certain before-and-after school programs to fall into the category of a day care center, lifting regulatory barriers and allowing the state to oversee the organization. HB 5110 also redefines a school age as one enrolled kindergarten or above but less than 13 years old.

For more information on Early Childhood issues, visit www.EarlyChildhoodMichigan.org

These are NEW calendar listings that have been added this week, along with events taking place this week.  To view a complete calendar of National events, visit http://www.bridges4kids.org/Conferences.html

New York Summer Options For Children & Teens With Special Needs
WHEN: Saturday, January 28, 2006 from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Church of St. Paul the Apostle, 405 W. 59th Street NYC (Entrance to Fair on Columbus Ave. near W. 60th St.).
DESCRIPTION: Representatives from 70 New York City day camps and sleepaway camps in the northeast will be on hand to help parents and professionals plan productive summer experiences for children with disabilities. The Fair will also feature information on travel programs, remedial education programs, volunteer and job opportunities and early childhood programs. Spanish and sign language interpreters will be available.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: The Fair is presented by Resources for Children with Special Needs, Inc., (212) 677-4650.

19th Annual Research Conference "A System of Care for Children¹s Mental Health: Expanding the Research Base"
WHEN: February 22-25, 2006
WHERE: Tampa, Florida
DESCRIPTION: This annual conference is a nationally recognized forum to explore contemporary, empirical research on systems of care that promote the emotional and behavioral well-being of children and their families. This event is designed for researchers, evaluators, administrators, policy makers, advocates, and family members interested in applied practical systems-of-care research. Call for Papers Deadline is October 31,2005.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For registration information visit http://rtckids.fmhi.usf.edu.
 

Nonverbal Learning Disorders Association's 10th Annual NLDA Symposium “A Decade of Progress in NLD”
WHEN: South San Francisco Conference Center, San Francisco, CA
WHERE: March 10-11, 2006
DESCRIPTION: At our 2-day event for parents and professionals, noted expert in learning disabilities, Rick Lavoie, plus over 30 nationally- and internationally-known speakers will present on the many interrelated aspects of Nonverbal Learning Disorders. Parents and professionals (MD, RN, SLP, OT, MFT, LCSW, psychologists, educators) will receive vital information on NLD, with special emphasis on the latest research and effective strategies to help individuals of all ages with NLD. Continuing education, ongoing poster session, exhibitors, and bookstore will be available.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on registration, schedule, speakers, and program, visit www.NLDline.com, www.NLDA.org, or email NLDAsymposium2006@excite.com.

 
National ADA Symposium & Expo
WHEN: April 10-12,2006
WHERE: America's Center, Downtown St. Louis, MO
DESCRIPTION: The National ADA Symposium is the most comprehensive conference available on the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability-related laws. The National ADA Symposium features an extensive session schedule with tracks in architecture, government, education, employment, and more.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information, contact Eric Stockton, Symposium coordinator, ada@missouri.edu. Further information can be found at www.adaproject.org.

These are NEW calendar listings that have been added this week, along with events taking place this week.  To view a complete calendar of Michigan events, visit http://www.bridges4kids.org/Conferences.html

Town Hall Meeting “Ask the Advocates”
WHEN: November 21, 2005 from 7:00p.m. - 9:00p.m.
WHERE: Macomb Intermediate School District Educational Training Center, Room 103B, 44001 Garfield, Clinton Township, Michigan 48308 ~ Enter south side doors of building.
DESCRIPTION: Advocates will explain the special education complaint process and give hints on how to write a strong complaint. They also will answer your questions about what you can do when your child's IEP is not being followed.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please RSVP at everyonetogethermacomb@yahoo.com.

Minority Overrepresentation in Special Education and the Impact of NCLB
WHEN: November 22, 2005 at 7:30 pm (reception @ 6:30 pm)

WHERE: Marriott Eagle Crest (1275 S. Huron Street, Ypsilanti, MI)
DESCRIPTION: Presented by Dr. Gary Orfield Professor, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Co-Founder and Director of the Civil Rights Project at Harvard University. Dr. Orfield has studied the impact of social policies on equal opportunity for success in American society; criticized No Child Left Behind (NCLB) as primarily penalizing school districts with large numbers of poor and minority students; taken a position on NCLB which has sometimes placed him at odds with other civil rights groups; voiced concerns about the use of high stakes testing which have resulted in increased drop-out rates, particularly for poor or minority students; identified inappropriate practices in both general and special education classrooms that have resulted in over- representation, misclassification, and hardship for minority students, particularly black children; and participated as a court-appointed expert witness in civil rights cases including the University of Michigan Supreme Court case on affirmative action in 2003.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information or to RSVP contact 734.487.3300 or email jodonoh1@emich.edu.

Support Group: Adults With ADD
WHEN: 3rd Thursday of the month
WHERE: BHR Office Bldg, 3630 Capital Avenue SW, Battle Creek, MI
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information, call Alan at 269-963-6730.

Social Groups for Children with ASD
WHEN: Saturday, December 3, 2005 from 9:00am to 3:30pm (Registration begins at 8:00am)
WHERE: Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Ann Arbor
DESCRIPTION: This one-day workshop is designed to provide families and professionals in the community an introduction to Social Groups for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). All children with ASD are entitled to, and benefit from, guided social intervention. These experiences, in which the children derive joy and meaning from being with each other, help children learn to communicate through joint attention, social referencing, and social cueing. During this workshop Rebecca will present her philosophy for social skills intervention and their unique and effective group design will be shared. Videotapes will be used throughout the day for illustration.
COST: Cost for Professionals and Parents - $95 per person. Two Parents - $150 per couple.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: More information about The P.L.A.Y. Project can be found at www.playproject.org or call The PLAY Project office at (734) 997-9088.

Visions of Inclusion: A Sense of Belonging...A Feeling of Happiness...Being Accepted Just the Way You Are
WHEN: Monday, December 5, 2005 at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Ingham ISD, Thorburn Education Center, Room A&B, Mason, MI 48854
DESCRIPTION: It is possible to create a community that includes everyone. We can start the process in the first community in which we all learn, live, work and play together: OUR SCHOOLS. Perhaps sometimes simply out of habit, people with disabilities are often excluded both educationally and socially rather than included in their communities. JOIN US in a conversation with Jill England, Ph.D. about flexible and designed educational environments that support a variety of learning styles for all students.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information or to register email Inghamparent@aol.com or call Janelle at 517-339-9485. Childcare Reimbursement Available to Parents. Please inquire for details.

"Get the Lead Out!" Training for Health and Human Service Professionals
WHEN: December 8, 2005 from 8:15am - Noon
WHERE: Michigan Family Resources, 2626 Walker Ave NW, Walker MI
DESCRIPTION: This half-day workshop is designed to provide nurses and other health and human services professionals with the most current and locally (Kent County, MI) applicable information on childhood lead poisoning prevention and intervention. $20 materials fee. 3.24 continuing education credits through the Michigan Nurses Association. Hosted by Michigan Family Resources; Reservations required.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Download the PDF flyer at http://www.bridges4kids.org/GTLObrochure2005email.pdf. Contact Sue Sipkema at ssipkema@michiganfamilyresources.org or (616) 453-4145 x282 to RSVP or if questions.