What's New (Homepage)
Important State Regulations Alert
The Connecticut State Board of Education has received the revised state regulations for special education of students with disabilities at its regularly scheduled meeting which took place on February 3, 2010. The revised regulations align more closely with the federal special education law, IDEA. There have also been changes made regarding timelines for evaluation of students suspected of having a disability as well as the eligibility determination process for learning disabilities. The proposed revised regulations are available to view as well as a summary and analysis of the proposed changes. Please check back for information regarding when public comments will be heard.
Public Inspection and Comment Needed for the 2010 Annual Application for Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The Annual State Application for Federal Fiscal Year 2010 under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act as amended in 2004 is available for public inspection on the CT State Department of Education’s website. Public comment will be heard beginning March 1, 2010 and will run 60 days. Public comment will be heard beginning March 15, 2010 until April 13, 2010. A Public Hearing will be held on the proposed revisions to the Procedural Safeguards document on April 8, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at SERC located at 25 Industrial Park Road in Middletown, Connecticut.
Read more about the application»
New Fact Sheet on the Importance of a Deafblind Classification on an IEP Form
Janette Peracchio, CT Family Specialist with the New England Consortium of Deafblind Projects has written an article for parents of children with deafblindness explaining the importance of this classification on a child's IEP. Read the full article in the Materials and Publications section. The Importance of a Deafblind Classification on an IEP Form
Explanation of Autism Insurance Reform Law
On January 1, 2010, the Autism Insurance Reform Act went into effect. The act requires many private insurers to begin covering the cost of diagnostic assessments for autism and services for individuals with autism who are under the age of 15.
Learn more about the act by reading Frequently Asked Questions About the Autism Insurance Reform Law developed by Autism Votes: An Autism Speaks Initiative.
Federal Policy Letter on the Use of Restraint and Seclusion
The Department of Education has released a policy letter regarding the use of restraint and seclusion in schools and other educational settings that receive federal funding. Visit the U.S. Department of Education website to view the entire letter.
About (Homepage)
If your child has special needs... We are here to help!
The Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center, Inc. (CPAC) is a statewide nonprofit organization that offers information and support to families of children with any disability or chronic illness, age birth to 26.
We are here to help you:
- Understand special education laws
- Identify your child's educational needs
- Communicate more effectively with professionals
- Participate in the educational decision making process
Upcoming Events (Homepage)
- March 15, 2010 Developing the IEP(Manchester, CT)
- March 15, 2010 Opportunities for Special Needs Students at the University/College Level(Glastonbury, CT)
- March 16, 2010 Respite Care Presentation(Unionville, CT)
- March 17, 2010 Next STEPs (Support and Training for Educators and Parents)(Meriden, CT)
- March 19, 2010 A Forum in Early Childhood Inclusion: Supporting Young Children with Severe Disabilities in School and Community Settings: Enhancing Participation Through the Use of Assistive Technology(Hartford, CT)
- March 20, 2010 Gluten Free Cooking with Rob Landolphi(Mansfield, CT)
- March 22, 2010 4th Annual Grace Curtis Stand Up and Be Counted Day(Mystic, CT)
- March 22, 2010 Communication Workshop(Killingly, CT)
- March 25, 2010 The Nuts and Bolts of Special Education(Guilford, CT)
- March 27, 2010 Taking the Bull by the Horns: Parents and Schools Working Together to Create Safe Schools(Farmington, CT)
