Parent Resource Center Monday Message: 12.14.20

December 14, 2020

The team at your Parent Resource Center wishes you all a wonderful winter break. While many of us may perhaps be experiencing winter break in new and different ways this year, we hope that the time off offers opportunities to create cherished family memories and perhaps some new traditions.

The coordinators at the PRC will be on winter break from December 19th through January 4th, but please feel free to leave messages for us at either 703.228.7239 or prc@apsva.us.  We are looking forward to our winter offerings including sessions on ADHD, An Introduction to Special Education, Becoming an Active Member of Your Child’s IEP Team, monthly Transition sessions, and sessions on autism and mental health. Stay tuned, stay well, and know that we send our warmest wishes to you for a happy and healthy 2021. We look forward to reconnecting with you in January.

Videos for Parents of Children with Significant Cognitive Disabilities to Support Learning at Home
National Center on Educational Outcomes, NCEO
NCEO and TIES Center, the national technical assistance center on inclusive practices and policies, have developed a series of videos for parents of children with significant cognitive disabilities to help them with supporting learning at home.
View the Videos for Parents of Children with Significant Cognitive Disabilities

Arlington Special Education Advisory Committee (ASEAC) Meeting
Tuesday, December 15, 2020: 7pm – 9pm
Virtual Meeting –  via Zoom
Register Here
Please note that the business portion of this meeting will be recorded through Zoom.
Agenda:
7:00 – 7:20 pm  Welcome, Member Introductions and Public Comments*
*Public comment signup can be done through the registration form
7:20 – 7:40 pm  OSE Updates and Response to November 2020 Public Comments
7:40 – 8:00 pm Instructional Program and Pathways (IPP) and PCG Program Evaluation 5 Year Plan
8:00 – 8:20 pm 5-Year Plan Questions and Answers*
*Questions can be submitted in advance through the registration form
8:20 – 8:30 pm  ASEAC Updates
Meeting materials will be sent for review on Monday 12/14/2020.
At the beginning of each meeting, ASEAC welcomes comments from the public regarding the needs of students with disabilities in APS. See the ASEAC Public Comment Guidelines at https://aps2016.apsva.us/special-education-advisory-committee for information about submitting public comments.Any person who would like an interpreter and/or any person with a disability who needs accommodation to access the meeting should contact the Parent Resource Center at 703.228.7239 or prc@apsva.us as soon as possible to request assistance.
There is also an option to request services in the registration form.

Understanding Transition Services: Day Program Support
Wednesday, December 16, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Register here
Arlington Public Schools Transition Services, Parent Resource Center and Program for Employment Preparedness (PEP) are continuing to sponsor a Transition Series, which this month will feature a workshop on Day Program Supports. Day Programs offer persons with disabilities the opportunity to spend their day in meaningful activities, focused on social and community engagement. Various community vendors will share information about their programs and the supported activities they offer. Families will also have the opportunity to ask questions of the program staff.For further information contact Kelly Mountain at 703-228-2136 or Christina Eagle at 703-228-5738.

Community Webinar/Virtual Learning Opportunities/Meetings

Upcoming Events from PEATC – Virginia’s Parent Education and Advocacy Training Center

• Understanding Special Education | December 17 at 7:00 PM.  Come and learn the seven phases of the special education process and identify the specific actions you may take during the special education process. You will become familiar with dispute resolution options, both informal and formal, and learn ways to work as partners with teacher and other school personnel.
• Early Childhood Academy
  Course open from January 16 – February 21, 2021
  Learn more and register here
• Ins and Outs of IEP’s | January 21 at 11:30 AM. This presentation will help prepare parents of what to expect in the IEP meeting and to have a productive student focused meeting. From pre-planning before the meeting to working together afterwards, this presentation will build relationships and self-advocacy skills of the parents while focusing on the needs of the student.
• TRANSITION UNIVERSITY: A free, parent-friendly 5-week self-paced online transition course
  Winter 2021: February 6 to March 26
  Learn more and register here
• PEATC LATINO
  • GRUPO DE APOYO Grupo de Chat para Padres: Unete a nuestro nuevo GRUPO DE CHAT mediante la aplicación de WhatsApp y podras mantenerte al tanto de todo lo que PEATC Latino esta haciendo. Entra al GRUPO: https://bit.ly/2VoU2vw

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Arlington Parent Support Groups
Now Meeting Virtually
These groups are geared to parents whose child is experiencing symptoms of a mental illness, including: depression, anxiety, eating disorders, mood disorders and more. No diagnosis is required to participate. Participants are given the opportunity to share their story, experience support, and glean guidance (as desired) from group members regarding both community and school resources. Confidentiality is respected.
School Age Students and Teens (PK-12) for 2020
January 3, 17 at 31: 7-8:30pm
Please contact Michelle Best at mczero@yahoo.com for registration link.

Older Teen and Young Adults: 3rd Sunday 1-3pm
Questions??  Contact:

• PK-12: Michelle Best (mczero@yahoo.com)
• Adults: Naomi Verdugo (verdugo.naomi@gmail.com)
• Both: Alisa Cowen (acowen@cowendesigngroup.com)