Bridges4Kids News Digest

Read the bridges4kids News Digest online! http://www.bridges4kids.org/newsdigest/index.html

National News	*top*
OH Mall Schools Offer New Chance Donna Iacoboni, Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 3, 2004 http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1099478241312880.xml In teenage parlance, they "fell out." In their teachers' words, the students were "at risk." All agree - if it weren't for the nontraditional schools inside Randall Park Mall here and Southern Park Mall in Youngstown, Northeast Ohio would have hundreds more high school dropouts. AZ Homecoming Royal Quits For 'Right King' Michelle Woo, The Arizona Republic, November 2, 2004 http://www.azcentral.com/families/education/articles/1102evdown.html When Joe McLarney and Marisa Robson threw up their arms Friday night as Highland High School's newly crowned homecoming king and queen, tears welled through the crowd. MI Program Gives Youth Alternative to Jail Time Susan Demas, Daily Press & Argus, November 9, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/11-04/DailyPress11-09-04.html#top He had just turned 10 when he got high for the first time. By the time he was 13, he was doing acid and cocaine, with a little crack and marijuana thrown in. NWLC Seeks Applicants for 3-Day Advocacy Training http://www.bridges4kids.org/Conferences.html#3 The National Women's Law Center (NWLC), located in Washington, D.C. is launching an initiative to connect and elevate a diverse group of new advocates nationwide to work on issues that affect low-income women and their families. The NWLC is now calling for applications for its first class of rising leaders. NWLC is seeking individuals who wish to become more effective advocates for low-income women and their families and to develop a more prominent role for themselves in the policy-making process. The inaugural class of 20-25 PLAN for Women participants will come together for the first time for a Spring Retreat at the Pocantico Conference Center in Tarrytown, NY. This introductory retreat will take place over a three-and-a-half day period beginning on May 19, 2005, and ending on May 22, 2005. bridges4kids Featured Websites: Medication & Supplement Information National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements http://www.ods.od.nih.gov National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine http://www.nccam.nih.gov National Institute of Mental Health http://www.nimh.nih.gov National Library of Medicine http://www.nlm.nih.gov Alternative Medicine Foundation http://www.amfoundation.org Alternative Medicine Foundation's HerbMed Database http://www.herbmed.org KidsCamps.com http://www.kidscamps.com A listing of over 24,000 programs available in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, Australia, The Caribbean, Asia and all over the world! Search by category including overnight camps, teen tours and adventures, day camps, military camps, sports camps, special needs camps, fine and performing arts camps, academic programs, study abroad, self improvement, special interest, leadership, spring and winter break camps, family camps and more! Kids Camps is a partner of the American Camping Association. AUSTRALIA Developing a New Assessment for Aboriginal Gifted Children Fairfax Digital, October 30, 2004 http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/10/29/1099028211631.html?oneclick=true A study organized by the University of New England, Armidale Catholic Schools and the Telstra Foundation will follow 28 Aboriginal children identified as gifted through an innovative assessment program. Before formally testing them, researcher Graham Chaffey gave children, many of whom were long-term underachievers, a two-hour intervention to break down socio-emotional barriers that usually led them to do poorly on assessments. [Free login/registration required.] SCOTLAND A Revolutionary Phonics Method Advocated in Scotland BBC News, UK Edition, October 28, 2004 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3959499.stm Scotland's education minister wants schools across the country to consider adopting a new literacy approach known as synthetic phonics, which teaches children letter sounds by employing all their senses, rather than using the "look and say" method. At one school that has tested the approach for several years, boys are 30 months ahead of the national average for their age, while girls are 18 months ahead. VA Chancellor Graduate Cries Foul Keith Epps and Bill Freehling, Fredricksburg.com, October 29, 2004 http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2004/102004/10292004/1490454 Former Spotsylvania student files a rare lawsuit against three students he says bullied him unmercifully during his high school years.
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)	*top*
NCLB Presents Middle School Complications Education Week, November 3, 2004 http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2004/11/03/10teach.h24.html Local and state education officials have voiced concerns that middle-grades teachers would be affected by the “highly qualified” provision of the the No Child Left Behind Act far more than teachers at the elementary and high school levels. [Free login/registration required.] Suits to Target No Child Left Behind Act Atlanta Journal Constitution, November 2004 http://www.ajc.com/news/content/shared-gen/ap/National/Left_Behind.html The federal No Child Left Behind Act threatens costly penalties for schools deemed failing to meet academic standards. In response, many educators have a threat of their own: A flood of lawsuits aimed at avoiding the sanctions. [Free login/registration required.] MI Understanding Michigan’s District Report Cards Michigan Department of Education, Public Agenda, Michigan Association of Intermediate School Districts http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/11-04/MDE11-08-04.html#top This is the first time school districts as a whole will receive report cards. Similar to individual schools, the district report card is based on: Minimum size of 30 students in each subgroup for the district, in the grades tested, using the same rules as applied to individual schools and Overall student achievement in Math and English Language Arts (ELA) over the entire district. MI Background on NCLB/MEAP and Michigan High School Report Cards Michigan Department of Education, Public Agenda, Michigan Association of Intermediate School Districts http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/11-04/MEAP11-04-04.html#top On Thursday, November 4, 2004, the Michigan Department of Education posted Education YES! High School Report Cards on www.michigan.gov/mde. This is the second time high schools have received the annual report cards. The Education YES! accreditation system is how the State of Michigan is meeting the federal requirements of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). MI School Report Cards Contain Good, Bad News Gongwer News Service, November 4, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/11-04/News11-04-04.html#2 More Michigan high schools got passing grades under the state's school report card system, the Department of Education reported Thursday, while at the same time more schools failed to meet adequate yearly progress required by the federal government. The mixed message led Governor Jennifer Granholm to call the performance "unacceptable." MI Report Cards Target Specific Groups of Students Judy Putnam, Lansing State Journal, November 4, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/11-04/LSJ11-04-04.html#top High school report cards due out today will focus attention on the academic progress of minorities, children with disabilities and other subgroups of students that some say are often overlooked. Schools will be graded on an A, B, C, D-alert or unaccredited basis under the state's Education YES! program. At the same time, parents will find out whether their children's schools made Adequate Yearly Progress under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
Parenting/Parental Involvement	*top*
bridges4kids Featured Resource: Information sheet for parents on lead poisoning (PDF) http://www.preventionnetwork.org/Lead%20Poisening%20Prevention.pdf Download an updated information sheet on lead poisoning from Prevention Network/Parenting Awareness Michigan. Reducing Special Needs Parent Stress Dan Coulter, Coulter Video, November 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/11-04/Coulter11-04.html#top A lot of parents who have kids with special needs get a free helping of stress every day. With extra nuts -- and sprinkles. If this is you, how do you start an anti-stress diet? Start small. Take a break. Oh yeah, right. When are you going to find the time?
Early On/Early Intervention	*top*
Kids' Elbows Can KO Flu Bug Kamika Dunlap, The Arizona Republic, November 3, 2004 http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/1103edflu030.html With a shortage of vaccine this flu season, school nurses across the Valley are teaching students a new way to cover their cough to beat the bug. Playtime's Over Nanci Hellmich, USA Today, November 1, 2004 http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2004-11-01-preschool-exercise_x.htm Children as young as three years old are not getting enough exercise, while 10 percent of children ages 2 to 5 are overweight, according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics. Prolonged Infant Crying: Sign of Trouble? Jeanie Lerche Davis, WebMD Medical News, October 27, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/11-04/WebMD10-27-04.htm A handful of studies have shown that persistent crying - longer than 3 months - may be related to mental and behavioral problems as children get older. In a recent study, children who still had unexplained, persistent crying beyond 6 months tended to be hyperactive when they reached 8-10 years old. Early On Subcommittee Meeting Minutes: Minutes added *Access to Continuity of Services* Access to Continuity of Services (PDF; November 2, 2004) http://www.bridges4kids.org/minutes/EO-ACS11-04.pdf Early Childhood Mental Health Mini-Conference This conference will take place on January 31, 2005 from 9:30 am – 12:00 noon in Lansing, Michigan (site to be determined). Featuring Kathy Hepburn and Roxane Kaufmann from the National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health, Georgetown University Child Development Center. Early childhood mental health matters to us all. Increasing numbers of young children with social-emotional and behavioral concerns are entering our systems. Learning more about early childhood mental health and creating partnerships across systems will promote social-emotional health for all of Michigan’s infants, toddlers and preschoolers. No cost to attend. Direct questions to Deb Marciniak at dmarcini@mphi.org or 517 324-8314.
Michigan News	*top*
Charter Schools: 10 Years of Success and Failure Judy Putnam, Lansing State Journal, November 6, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/11-04/LSJ11-06-04.html#top A decade after the first charter schools opened in Michigan, the alternative public schools still inspire the same kind of debate they did in 1994. Charter schools celebrated their 10-year anniversary this week, but even after a decade of operation, there's no consensus on their effectiveness. "We are basically right where we started," said Michigan State University Professor David Plank, co-director of the Education Policy Center. More Michigan High Schools Fail Christine MacDonald, The Detroit News, November 5, 2004 http://www.detnews.com/2004/schools/0411/05/a01-326603.htm Higher standards are partly blamed for almost half missing the mark for No Child Left Behind. More Michigan high schools are failing federal achievement standards and graduation rate requirements than last year, despite districts' efforts to improve student performance. Mays Founder Plans Expansion Oralandar Brand-Williams, The Detroit News, November 4, 2004 http://www.detnews.com/2004/metro/0411/04/d07-325161.htm Founder of all-boys academy expects to offer classes through 12th grade by 2006. Michigan Launches New Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCE) Michigan Department of Education http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140--87065--,00.html Michigan’s new nationally recognized GLCE provide schools, teachers, and parents with the detailed information they need to understand what students are expected to know and be able to do at the end of each grade. The new annual MEAP (Michigan Education Assessment Program) will be aligned to the GLCE. Download a copy of the new grade level content expectations and Michigan curriculum framework for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics, as well as teacher professional development materials, a parent guide, a list of frequently asked questions, and other resources. High School MEAP Likely Changing Gongwer News Service, November 4, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/11-04/News11-04-04.html#top As the high school report cards were released from the 2003-04 school year, it appeared certain that the test on which those report cards were based would be changing. New Disabilities Project Newsletter Available From State Bar of Michigan Disabilities Project Newsletter, State Bar of Michigan, Volume 1, Issue 1, November 2004 http://www.michbar.org/programs/Disabilities_news.html The State Bar of Michigan Standing Committee on Justice Initiatives and its Equal Access Initiative are happy to announce that they are releasing four issues of an electronic newsletter addressing issues faced by people with disabilities in the courthouse setting. The project was funded by a grant from the Newman Foundation and was the concept of members of the Disabilities Committee of the Bar’s former Open Justice Commission. These electronic bulletins will contain concise and helpful information with an opportunity for feedback from those who receive them. The State Bar of Michigan will distribute the electronic bulletin to those individuals who subscribe for the free publication. Methane Found at School Mike Wowk, The Detroit News, November 3, 2004 http://www.detnews.com/2004/oakland/0411/03/a20l-323864.htm Officials will continue to monitor test wells at Macomb's Eppler Junior High. PROPOSAL E: Detroit Voters are Negative About Plan For Schools Chastity Pratt and Peggy Walsh-Sarnecki, Detroit Free Press, November 3, 2004 http://www.freep.com/news/locway/detroitskuls3e_20041103.htm Issue of mayoral control proves to be controversial. Home Makeover Takes Family by Surprise Jenna Passut, The Oakland Press, November 3, 2004 http://theoaklandpress.com/stories/110304/oak_20041103001.shtml Commentary: Michigan Teams Help Special Education Students Editorial, The Detroit News, November 3, 2004 http://www.detnews.com/2004/editorial/0411/03/a22-324445.htm Education Lobby Works New Angle Tim Skubick, MIRS, October 29, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/11-04/News10-29-04.html#top The details have not been flushed out, but the passion is there to launch yet another effort to drum up more dollars for the K-12 budget in the new legislative year. FIA Picking Up Overdue Energy Bills MIRS, October 29, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/11-04/News10-29-04.html#2 The Department of Human Services today announced a new pilot project in which three utility companies - Detroit Edison, Consumers Energy and SEMCO Gas Company - will send shut-off notices directly to the FIA for payment (up to $550) as opposed to the notice going directly to the welfare recipient.
Disability News	*top*
bridges4kids Featured Website: Dan Marino’s ChildNett http://www.childnett.tv The mission of Childnett.tv is to reach out globally to families, clinicians and educators, connecting them through the internet, to information related to autism and other neurological disorders. Established in 2003, Childnett.tv is an internet access web channel that broadcasts interactive programming 24/7 via the internet. Our lineup includes streaming video related to autism and other neurological disorders. Families, clinicians and educators can witness the latest therapies and treatments, seminars, as well as personal stories–all for free. The Dan Marino Foundation is funding Childnett.tv, to improve the lives of families around the world. It is our hope the information you see will help ensure every child with developmental disabilities reaches his or her highest potential. bridges4kids Featured Resource: Depression and Bi-Polar Support Alliance http://www.dbsalliance.org The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the nation’s leading patient-directed organization focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses – depression and bipolar disorder. The organization fosters an understanding about the impact and management of these life-threatening illnesses by providing up-to-date, scientifically-based tools and information written in language the general public can understand. Two-way Pagers Give Teens With Hearing Impairments More Independence Caroline Alphonso, The Globe and Mail, November 3, 2004 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20041103/SCHOOLDEAF03/TPEducation/ About 50 students with hearing impairments in Toronto are using donated two-way pagers to communicate with teachers, family and friends as part of a five-year study of how the devices can improve their social and literacy skills. Researchers have found some students are now sending and receiving more than 3,000 messages a month, as compared with the 10 a month they typically sent when they first received the devices last year. Brain Scans Offer Proof That Intervention Helps children With Dyslexia Connie Langland, The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 5, 2004 http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/living/education/10103035.htm?1c This week, attendees at the International Dyslexia Association conference in Philadelphia are hearing about the latest strategies for treating language-based learning disabilities. Pediatrician Jack Fletcher, who uses brain-imaging technology in his research, says effective instruction can change the brain dramatically. [Free login/registration required.] MI Students With Autism Get Team Effort Linda Theil, Lansing State Journal, November 4, 2004 http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041104/NEWS05/411040326/1006/news05 State grant trains teachers, others to target special needs. UK Study: Parents, Doctors Disagree When ADHD Drugs are Effective BBC News, World Edition, November 3, 2004 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3974399.stm According to a new study in Britain, at least 85% of doctors believe ADHD medications should be effective in controlling symptoms between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., while only 62% of parents agree that this happens in reality. Similarly, the two groups differed in their opinions of the drugs' efficacy between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m, with 60% of doctors believing the treatments still should be effective at that time, while just 45% of parents concurred. Behavior Therapy Best for Kids With OCD Salynn Boyles, WebMD Medical News, October 26, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/11-04/WebMD10-26-04.html#top Children and teens with obsessive-compulsive disorder respond better to talk therapy than to antidepressants alone, but a combination of the two approaches to treat OCD may work wonders, a government-funded study group finds. Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia Key Found Daniel DeNoon, WebMD Medical News, October 28, 2004 http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/11-04/WebMD10-28-04.html#top A stress-activated molecule underlies many of the symptoms of some mental illnesses, a new study shows. We control our behaviors, thoughts, and emotions via an important part of the brain: the prefrontal cortex. People with injuries to this part of the brain become impulsive, distractible, and have poor judgment. Major damage to the prefrontal cortex can cause thought disorders and hallucinations.
Special Education Issues	*top*
Parents Target Disabilities Law Dave Groves, The Oakland Daily Press, November 8, 2004 http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/110804/loc_20041108013.shtml When the U.S. Congress began efforts to reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act about two years ago, parents of special education students across the country were caught somewhat off-guard. "We sort of found out about this on the fly and didn't really know anyone else who knew anything about it," said Sandy Alperstein, a Buffalo Grove, Ill. resident. R&D Alert Vol. 6, No. 1: Focus on Special Education (PDF) WestEd, 2004, Vol. 6, No. 1 http://www.wested.org/online_pubs/RD-04-01.pdf Contents: When Special Education and General Education Unite, Everyone Benefits, From the CEO: Improving Special Education Means Improving Education, Special Educators Responding to Shifting Definitions of "Highly Qualified", Responsiveness to Intervention: A Promising Alternative for Identifying Students with Learning Disabilities, Improving Assessment for Special Needs, WestEd Resources on Special Education, and What's New, Hot, & Useful. Teaching a Child to Read: Special Ed or Reading First? Suzanne Heath, Research Editor, Wrightslaw.com http://www.wrightslaw.com/heath/reading.strategies.htm My son is in 2nd grade and receives special education for reading. He just got a progress report with an F in reading even though he gets this extra help in special ed. Double-Dipping? Are Kids with Disabilities Barred from Title I Reading Programs? Pam Wright and Suzanne Heath, Wrightslaw.com http://www.wrightslaw.com/nclb/faqs/title1.doubledip.htm I work as a speech therapist for a public school system in Virginia. We have been told that students may not have Title I reading resource and special ed goals in reading because this is "double-dipping" into federal monies. Is this true?
Ask the Attorney/Advocate	*top*
bridges4kids Exclusive: Ask the Attorney with John Brower http://www.bridges4kids.org/AA.html#q&a It's IEP season again! Preparing for your first IEP of the year? Refresh your legal know-how by visiting John's Q & A on Special ed law. Visit our site to find the answers to dozens of special ed-related questions!
Upcoming National Events	*top*
These are NEW calendar listings that have been added this week. To view a complete calendar of National events, visit http://www.bridges4kids.org/Conferences.html. Webcast: The Importance of the Earned Income Tax Credit For People with Disabilities and their Families WHEN: November 19, 2004 from 12:00 – 2:00 PM EST DESCRIPTION: The Earned Income Tax Credit is important for People with Disabilities in the Workforce, Families, Tax Preparers, and All Interested in Advancing the Economic Status of People with Disabilities. Many low-income people with disabilities often do not have experience filing tax forms and may be unaware of existing tax credits. The November 19, 2004 Webcast is a step toward educating people who work with families and individuals with disabilities about the underutilized Earned Income Tax Credit which provides tax relief to low-income people with disabilities. This is the first of a two part series. The second Webcast, scheduled for December 9, 2004, will provide information about what makes a volunteer site accessible and how to work with people with disabilities. This will be presented by Marian Vessels, Director of ADA and IT Information Center for the Mid-Atlantic DBTAC Region and Megan O’Neil, Program Coordinator of Access to Assets at the World Institute on Disability. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Registration Information & Questions should be sent to Matthew Gernstein at Mgernstein@ncbdc.org in advance of the Webcast. A registration form may be downloaded at the Law, Health Policy, and Disability Center’s website at http://disability.law.uiowa.edu and accessing the Tax Facts link in the “What’s New” section or directly at http://disability.law.uiowa.edu/lhpdc/projects/aatp-casts.html. Education Leaders Council's Annual Meeting WHEN: December 3-4, 2004 WHERE: Orlando, Florida DESCRIPTION: Because we are Beyond Theory…join hundreds of education reform leaders from around the country for the Education Leaders Council’s (ELC) 9th annual conference—the first major education reform conference after the election focused on both policy and practice. Among the topics: No Child Left Behind implementation, standards and assessments, school choice, school discipline, virtual schools, getting research into classrooms, using data, teacher prep and more. FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information on how to take part in these two days of problem solving and best practices, visit http://www.educationleaders.org/elc/events/conferences.html.
Upcoming Michigan Events	*top*
These are NEW calendar listings that have been added this week. To view a complete calendar of Michigan events, visit http://www.bridges4kids.org/Conferences.html. Parents of Blind Children Seminar WHEN: November 12, 2004 WHERE: Ashman Court Marriot, Midland, Michigan DESCRIPTION: The annual seminar of Parents of Blind Children of Michigan is a chance to meet other parents and blind and VI kids, to get to know blind and VI college students, and to bring our concerns as parents to a place where they matter! The guest speaker is Carla McQuillan, a successful blind adult who owns and manages child care centers in Oregon. What would you want to ask a successful blind adult? Come on out and ask her! We will also have time to talk informally over pizza and take time to bring parent concerns to the table through panel discussions. FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more information, contact Lydia Schuck at 517-676-4621 or laschuck@juno.com. Inclusive Education by Karen Massaro-Mundt SPONSOR: The Macomb/St. Clair County Chapter of the Autism Society of America WHEN: November 15, 2004 from 6-8 p.m. Where: This presentation will take place during the Arc of St. Clair County, Memphis Support Group meeting which will be held at the Memphis Public Library (34830 Potter Street, Memphis, MI 48041). FOR MORE INFORMATION: For further information, please contact Paula at 810-357-1679. Neighborhood Schools are for Everyone: Including Students with Disabilities Featuring Elizabeth Bauer, Michigan State Board of Education Trustee SPONSOR: Everyone Together Macomb WHEN: November 15, 2004 from 7-9 p.m. Where: Macomb Intermediate School District, 44001 Garfield, Clinton Twp MI 48038, Room 103 B Description: Please join us to listen and engage in lively discussion on why our neighborhood schools should work for all students, and how Universal Education is the key to get us there! Light refreshments will be served. No charge to attend. Elizabeth Bauer has advocated the legal and human rights of all persons. She has championed enlightened public policy and the development of inclusive services for people with disabilities. She has served as a speech pathologist; special educator and school administrator; director of staff development and later director of community placement in Michigan's public mental health system; and for twenty years, executive director of Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service, Inc. Currently, she is an elected member of the State Board of Education in Michigan. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Space is limited. Register with Laura Krausman at (586) 756-2590, or Monique Bonifas (586) 997-3720 to attend, or email us at everyonetogethermacomb@yahoo.com. Creating An Inclusive Community WHEN: November 17, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Hickory Grove Fine Arts Wing, 2800 Lahser Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI DESCRIPTION: Join us as we learn how to create an environment where each child is welcomed and challenged. FOR MORE INFORMATION: For more details contact LynneT@comcast.net. O.U.R. Camp for Children with Special Needs' 2^nd annual Bowling with Santa! WHEN: November 20, 2004 from 2-5 PM, WHERE: Merri-Bowl Lanes in Livonia, 30950 5 Mile Rd. (just east of Merriman). DESCRIPTION: The cost is $10 per bowler (parent doesn't have to bowl), or $35 for a group of 4. The price includes 2 games of bowling (bumpers available), shoe rental, hot dog and pop. So bring your camera and get a jump on the holidays! All proceeds benefit O.U.R. Camp, Inc. a non-profit corporation. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Pre-registration is recommended, though not mandatory, since space is limited. Please call Kathy at 248-348-7026 if you wish to pre-register. MICHIGAN STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING WHEN: December 14, 2004 WHERE: Meetings are usually held on the 4th floor of the Hannah Building in Lansing. HOSTED BY: The Michigan State Board of Education DESCRIPTION: These meetings are open to the public. Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for effective participation in the meeting should contact Mrs. Eileen Hamilton, one week in advance to request mobility, visual, hearing, or other assistance. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call Mrs. Eileen Hamilton (Administrative Secretary, State Board of Education) at: (517) 373-3900 (voice), (517) 373-4035 (TDD), or email: hamiltone@michigan.gov. Early Childhood Mental Health Mini-Conference WHEN: January 31, 2005 from 9:30 am – 12:00 noon WHERE: Lansing, Michigan (site to be determined) DESCRIPTION: Featuring Kathy Hepburn and Roxane Kaufmann from the National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health, Georgetown University Child Development Center. Early childhood mental health matters to us all. Increasing numbers of young children with social-emotional and behavioral concerns are entering our systems. Learning more about early childhood mental health and creating partnerships across systems will promote social-emotional health for all of Michigan’s infants, toddlers and preschoolers. No cost to attend. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Direct questions to Deb Marciniak at dmarcini@mphi.org or 517 324-8314.
Bridges4Kids Chief Executive Officer Deborah Canja deb@bridges4kids.org Bridges4Kids Director of Information Technology & Information Systems Jackie Igafo-Te'o jackie@bridges4kids.org Bridges4Kids Resource Assistant Bella Djordjevski news@bridges4kids.org