Upcoming Events
October/November 2018
Open Forum for Parents of Students with Disabilities
Connecticut
Open Forum for Parents of Students with Disabilities
The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE)
and the RESC Alliance invite parents of students with
disabilities to participate in regional forums to obtain
feedback and input on special education systems,
processes, and services. The CSDE is committed to
ensuring that students with disabilities receive access to
the services and supports that they are entitled to under
the law. These regional forums will provide parents with
the opportunity to share their experiences with the Special
Education Bureau Chief in a structured environment to
discuss the most pressing needs of the special education
community in Connecticut.
The parent forums will consist of group conversations
facilitated by special educators from Connecticut’s Regional
Education Service Centers (RESCs). The forums were
planned with the intent of being responsive to the needs of
the participants, however facilitators may ask for feedback
on specific special education issues in order to inform the
State Advisory Committee on Special Education (SAC) and
the CSDE’s Bureau of Special Education. The forums will
also serve as an opportunity for parents to shape future
training activities. While the forums will not necessarily
address circumstances specific to individual students and
families, Parent Consultants from The CT Parent Advocacy
Center (CPAC), and other experts will be on-hand to offer
guidance and suggestions.
There will be a morning (9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.)
and an evening (6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.) session for each forum.
Oct. 3 — LEARN
LOCATION
LEARN
44 Hatchetts Hill Rd.
Old Lyme, CT 06371
Oct. 4 — ACES
LOCATION
ACES Staff Development
205 Skiff St.
Hamden, CT 06517
Oct. 15 — EASTCONN
LOCATION
EASTCONN
376 Hartford Turnpike
Hampton, CT 06247
Oct. 16—EDADVANCE
EdAdvance
355 Goshen Road
Litchfield, CT 06759
Nov. 7 — CREC
LOCATION
Hosted by CREC at the Chrysalis Center
255 Homestead Avenue
Hartford, CT 06112
Nov. 8 — C.E.S.
LOCATION
C.E.S.
25 Oakview Drive
Trumbull, CT 06611
REGISTER HERE: https://crectransportation.wufoo.com/forms/z1k8fhpn1bn931g
To register for the Spanish Parent Forums:
https://crectransportation.wufoo.com/forms/zo18ust16qd6m3/
October and November 2018
Parent Focus Groups
Connecticut
You’re invited!
Parent Focus Groups
Do you know if your school or district has the resources it needs
to fulfill the goals of your child’s IEP?
We’re here to listen!
A parent meeting is coming to your region so we can hear directly from you about
your experience, your concerns, and whether you have access to the information you
need to advocate for your child.
Join us and be a part of this unique opportunity to have your voice heard!
Follow the links below to register for a session.
A collaboration between
the CT Parent
Advocacy Center
&
the State Education
Resource Center
Meet Other Parents
Light Refreshments
Provided
Childcare Stipends
Available
Transportation Stipends
Available
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
CES, Trumbull
https://19-63-059.eventbrite.com
Thursday, October 25, 2018
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
ACES, Hamden
https://19-63-060.eventbrite.com
Friday, October 26, 2018
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
EdAdvance, Litchfield
https://19-63-061.eventbrite.com
Monday, October 29, 2018
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
CREC, Hartford
https://19-63-062.eventbrite.com
Monday, November 5, 2018
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
LEARN, Old Lyme
https://19-63-063.eventbrite.com
Friday, November 9, 2018
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
EASTCONN, Hampton
https://19-63-064.eventbrite.com
Registration Questions? Bianca Irizarry, SERC,
860-632-1485, ext. 216 or irizarry@ctserc.org
Content Questions? Stephen Proffitt, SERC,
860-632-1485, ext. 322 or proffitt@ctserc.org
October 11, 2018
Next STEPs Training Series – Support and Training for Educators and Parents
Manchester, CT
Next STEPs Training Series
Support and Training for Educators and Parents
This eight-session intensive series is designed to help parents and professionals gain the skills and knowledge necessary for them to be effective members at the Planning and Placement Team meeting (PPT). This training series will prepare participants for a variety of roles at the school, district, regional or state level. Participants will learn about the law related to education as well as state and federal level initiatives that impact students with disabilities and their education. This training is an opportunity to learn how and where to give a voice to the needs of families of students with disabilities. Our goal is for participants to become active and collaborative team members in an effort to support student success. The training covers special education and related topics such as:
• The Parent’s Role at the Table: Planning and Progress Monitoring (fix bullet)
• Developing an Appropriate IEP
• Laying the Foundation: Educational Laws and their Impact on Students with Disabilities
• Reaching Agreement by Working Together
• Transition to Adult Life and Self-Advocacy
• Supporting Other Families
• Effective Communication Strategies
FALL 2018
Manchester:
This series will be held on Thursday Evenings, beginning at 6pm starting October 11th through December 6, 2018. Deadline for application is September 30, 2018.
Application is required for all.
Participation at all eight sessions is highly encouraged. Click here for the application. For more information or questions about the application process, please call the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center at 860-739-3089 or email Jane at jhampton@cpacinc.org
October 13, 2018
DS ACT Annual Convention 2018
The Sheraton Hartford South Hotel, Rocky Hill, CT
DS ACT Annual Convention
Power Up!
Everything You Need to Know About Best Practices and Down Syndrome
8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
https://mydsact.org/events/
Schedule of the Day
8:30 am-3:30 pm
Self-Advocates Session: Who Am I?
8:30-9:45 am
A. Common Down Syndrome Foot Conditions
B. Special Needs Planning
C. Planning for Student Transitions Through the Years
10:30-11:45 am
D. Moving Out and Making It: Life After High School
E. Music Toolkit: Using Music to Support Development ages birth-5
F. On the Verge of Research Breakthroughs: Why We Should be Excited and Rally NOW
12:15-2:00 pm
Luncheon
Annual Business Meeting
Keynote Speaker: Dr. David Stein
2:15 – 3:30 pm
G. Adolescents and Anxiety/Mood Issues
H. Department of Developmental Services
I. What Does a Good Academic Evaluation Look Like
Registration
Admin Only Registration code required
DS ACT Member – $55.00
Those who hold current family, individual or professional memberships.
Educator – $54.00
Non-DS ACT Member – $90.00
Those who do not hold current membership in the CDSC.
Pre-Approved Full Waiver Registration code required
Pre-Approved Partial Waiver – $25.00 Registration code required
Self-Advocate
Individuals with Down syndrome who are 16 years or older and will be attending the Self-Advocates Strand.
**Limited to 15 participants
If you encounter problems registering or require assistance, please email Shanon McCormick, smccormick@mydsact.org
October 15, 2018
Parents in a Community Workshop about Special Education Rights and Advocacy
Nathanael B. Greene Community Center in the Faulkner Room, located at 32 Church Street in Guilford, CT
The Law Office of Lawrence W. Berliner, LLC Engages Parents in a Community Workshop about Special Education Rights and Advocacy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2018
Guilford, Conn.—- The Law Office of Lawrence W. Berliner, LLC announces a FREE workshop for parents of children with special needs titled “Back to School and Beyond: How to Navigate Your Child’s Special Education Journey”
The speakers are Lawrence W. Berliner, Special Education Law Attorney, and Dr. Shelley Pelletier, Neuropsychologist and School Psychologist, who will offer their expert perspectives.
This workshop will take place on October 15, 2018 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Nathanael B. Greene Community Center in the Faulkner Room, located at 32 Church Street in Guilford, Conn. It is free and open to the public.
Parents will learn strategies to navigate the special education and the evaluation process.
Topics will include:
• • The Turning Point: What to do when your child is struggling and the school is not responding to your child’s needs.
• Your child’s basic educational rights.
• Demystifying the role of the Neuropsychologist.
• The evaluation process: School evaluation and the parents’ right to an IEE (Independent Educational Evaluation).
• Social /emotional and cognitive/learning issues.
Lawrence Berliner is a statewide special education and disability rights law attorney with offices in Guilford, Conn and Westport, Conn. Attorney Berliner has been representing children with disabilities and their families for 35 years and founded the Law Office of Lawrence W. Berliner, LLC in 2011.
Shelley Pelletier is a pediatric neuropsychologist and school psychologist in private practice in Old Saybrook, Conn. Dr. Pelletier works with children ages 3-21 and their families in situations that present a wide range of social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and learning issues.
To register for the workshop, please contact Rachel Berliner, Public Relations Assistant at Law Office of Lawrence W. Berliner, LLC at (203)-255-0582 or rachel@berlinerspecialedlaw.com .
For more information, please visit www.berlinerspecialedlaw.com
About the Law Office of Lawrence W. Berliner, LLC: Attorney Lawrence Berliner has dedicated his law practice to helping parents pursue their child’s educational rights. With 35 years of experience representing and advocating for children, adults, and families with special needs, Attorney Berliner focuses his practice exclusively on special education law, disability rights law, Section 504, bullying and expulsion related to special education, and practices throughout the state of Connecticut. He is based in Guilford, Conn. and Westport, Conn.
Press contact: Rachel Berliner, Public Relations Assistant at Law Office of Lawrence W. Berliner, LLC. Phone number: (203)-255-0582. Email address: rachel@berlinerspecialedlaw.com .
October 19, 2018
NEAT 6th Annual Resource Fair
33 Coventry Street, Hartford, CT
6th Annual Resource Fair
In recognition, of Disability Employment Awareness Month
October 19, 2018
NEAT
33 Coventry Street, Hartford, CT
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
All are welcome to come and learn about the available resources in the North Central Region such as free
employment services, transportation, legal rights, assistive technology, education & more!
(Please let us know if you need an accommodation – 860-899-3446)
LifeBridge will be providing Sign Language Interpreting for this event.
IDEAL FOR THOSE WHO ARE:
• Unemployed or under – employed
• Receiving Social Security Disability & are considering work
• Rely on public transportation
• Interested in learning how assistive technology can help
• Unsure of your legal rights in the workplace
October 26, 2018
Parent-Provider Discussion
95 Merritt Blvd, Trumbull, CT
Parent-Provider Discussion
Friday, October 26, 10:00am
Do you have a loved one with Developmental Disabilities who has significant medical complexities?
Department of Developmental Services Director of Clinical Services,
Dr. Valencia Bagby-Young and Department of Developmental Services Director of Family Support Strategies and Advocacy, Robin Wood will discuss and answer questions about:
· Existing community health and clinical services for individuals with intellectual disabilities
· Health and clinical services provided by DDS
· Partnerships DDS has developed to help enhance the health and clinical needs of individuals with IDD
Please join us for community and conversation
Feroleto Child Development Center
Recreation Room
St Vincent’s Special Needs Services
95 Merritt Blvd
Trumbull, CT
Please enter thru the main door in the front of the building and sign in with the receptionist.
***RSVP required:St Vincent’s Special Needs Family Center, 203 386 2743 or dkennedy@ascension.org
*In the event of School Cancellation or serious weather event, we will not meet.
October 27, 2018
ASRC Annual Resource Fair 2018
The Dome at the Oakdale Theater Complex, 95 South Turnpike Road, Wallingford, CT
ANNUAL RESOURCE FAIR
Save the Date for The Autism Community’s Premiere Resource Event!
ASRC AUTISM RESOURCE FAIR
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Exhibit Hall Hours: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
The Dome at the Oakdale Theater Complex
95 South Turnpike Road, Wallingford, CT 06492
This event has historically drawn hundreds of attendees. Over 120 autism venders attend to share their resources to the CT autism community.
This event brings parents/caregivers, extended family, educators, school support staff and special service providers, professional intervention/service providers, and members of the general public.
Doors will be open from 9:00am through 3:30pm, with concurrent workshops held throughout the day. Registration is requested for workshops; event parking and attendance is free.
Exhibitor area has concessions available for exhibitor and attendee refreshments.
REGISTRATION OPENS SEPTEMBER 15th.
November 3, 2018
National Fragile X Foundation Connecticut Chapter
University of Connecticut Health Center, Keller Auditorium, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT
ITeaching Pro-Social Behaviors, Motivating Learning and Exploring Future Independence Strategies for All Ages
Saturday, November 3, 2018
8:00 am – 4:30 pm
University of Connecticut Health Center
Keller Auditorium
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, Connecticut
Featuring Internationally Renowned Fragile X and
Autism Spectrum Disorder Experts
Marcia L. Braden, PhD
Licensed Psychologist
Sharyn Lincoln, MS, CGC
Boston Children’s Hospital
Jonathan Picker, MBChB, PhD
Boston Children’s Hospital
$60 per person, which includes breakfast, lunch and a conference binder.
CEU credit & Attendance Certificate available on request.
Copy and paste: https://give.fragilex.org/2018LearnCT
Please register by October 20, 2018
In lieu of Online Registration, pay by Check, made payable to “NFXF”
and mail to Tammy and Andy Selinger at the address below
What will be presented?
Fragile X syndrome (FXS): the most common cause of inherited mental impairment.
Fragile X-associated disorders (FAD), which result from a mutation of a single gene within the X chromosome.
Recent clinical trial results and upcoming new trials.
Recognizing how developmental delays affect social development.
Identifying ways to teach pro-social skills acknowledging developmental levels.
Formulating strategies to redirect and maintain focus using preferred interests.
Creating academic materials that incorporate high interest.
Identifying how engaged students gain learning momentum.
Recognizing ways to foster independence in the home, school and community
Assessing barriers that might affect efforts to gain independence at home, school or in the community.
Agenda, speaker biographies and other information available on the registration form.
Printable Registration Form
For additional information call or email:
Tammy and Andy Selinger 860-233-1904; Connecticut@fragilex.org
www.facebook.com/FragileXCT
Copy and paste: https://fragilex.org/connecticut-chapter
Possible Accomodations:
Farmington Inn, 827 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT
Deluxe Room Rate – $93
Room block available until 10/9, then as available.
Call 800-648-9804 or visit http://www.farmingtoninn.com, click where it says Add Code, on the drop-down menu, select Group Attendee and then enter Group# 4134
November 8, 2018
After the Cap & Gown
Northwest CT Chamber of Commerce, 333 Kennedy Dr #101, Torrington, CT
After the Cap & Gown
How to prepare for the future for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)
Thursday, November 8, 2018
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Northwest CT Chamber of Commerce
333 Kennedy Dr #101
Torrington, CT
RSVP to mkunz@litchfieldarc.org
This workshop is for parents and caregivers of teens and young adults, age 13-21, who meet the eligibility criteria for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and will be seeking DDS services upon high school graduation.
Topics covered will include:
What services will be available to young adults when they transition from school to adult services?
When should families start planning?
What services should families apply for and when?
Will there be funding for adult services when new graduates turn turn 21?
How to advocate for funding for your child or loved one with with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Presenter Marina Derman is a parent activist who has two young adult sons with autism and intellectual disabilities. In addition to having 15 years experience as a special education advocate, Marina is a member of the CT ABLE Act Committee, the ID Partnership and the Westport Commission on Persons with Disabilities.
“Before this presentation I felt like I was on my own. It was so helpful to have a parent who knows what I am going through give me advice and good information on how to advocate for my daughter’s future. ”
~Nicole Consiglio, parent of a 16 year old daughter with I/DD ~
All are welcome! Please feel free to share!
Click here for printable flyer.
For more information contact Shannon Jacovino at sjacovino@thearcct.org.
November and December 2018
Open Forums with the Department of Developmental Services’ Commissioner Jordan Scheff
Connecticut
Open Forums with the
Department of Developmental Services’
Commissioner Jordan Scheff
Commissioner Scheff will be available to hear about what is working and what is not.
Tuesday November 13, 2018 – Wallingford
35 Thorpe Avenue, 3rd Floor
Monday November 19, 2018 – East Hartford
155 Founders Plaza / 255 Pitkin Street
Tuesday November 27, 2018 – Torrington
Torrington Center, Alvord Park Road
Monday December 3, 2018 – Danbury
Danbury Center, 400 Main Street
Monday December 10, 2018 – Norwich
Uncas on the Thames Campus, Campbell Building
401 W. Thames Street, Unit 202
Monday December 17, 2018 – Willimantic
90 South Park Street
All meetings are scheduled from 6:00 p.m – 8:00 p.m.
RSVP to Dianne Gill at Dianne.gill@ct.gov or 860-418-6091
March 29, 2019
2019 Achievement Through Assistive Technology Conference
Hartford Hilton, 315 Trumbull St, Hartford, CT
2019 Achievement Through Assistive Technology Conference
Presented by CT Tech Act Project with the support of EASTCONN Assistive Technology and Transition Services
Connecticut Tech Act Project EASTCONN Where Learning Comes to Life
March 29, 2019
9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Hartford Hilton
315 Trumbull St, Hartford, CT 06103 (MAP)
Phone: (860) 728-5151
Early bird pricing of $125.00 now through January 18, 2019. Registration ends on March 15, 2019.
Thanks to Our Conference Sponsors
Visit our Sponsorship Options page for more details.
Conference participants will enjoy:
Full day participation in workshop sessions, designed into 3 strands: AT and Employment; Education; and Independent Living;
Dedicated conference time to meet with exhibitors and learn the latest about Assistive Technology;
Exhibitor Scavenger Hunt, with chances to win door prizes;
Networking with colleagues, making new contacts in the field; and
LEARNING how AT can enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities, from K-12 and through the adult lifespan.
There will be 25 Exhibitors and 20 Sessions scheduled to run throughout the day.
Schedule at a Glance
8:00 – 9:00 Registration & Vendors
9:00 – 9:45 Opening Remarks & Keynote
10:00 -11:00 Session 1 (4 concurrent sessions)
10:00-11:45 Session 1 (2 concurrent sessions)
11:00 -12:15 Vendors
11:15 – 12:15 Session 2 (4 concurrent sessions)
12:15 – 12:45 Lunch and Vendors
12:30 – 1:15 Vendors
1:00 – 2:00 Session 3 (4 concurrent sessions)
1:15 – 3:00 Session 3 (2 concurrent sessions)
2:00 – 3:15 Vendors
2:15 – 3:15 Session 4 (4 concurrent sessions)
3:15 3:30 Closing Remarks &Door Prizes
The official hashtag for the Achievement Through Assistive Technology Conference 2019 is #ATinCT19
Follow both @CTtechact and #ATinCT18 to stay up to date on conference planning, activities, sessions and more!
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