The Family Resource Center Thursday morning support group will meet this week  
10:00 am-Noon, Minnie Howard, Room 134, 3801 W. Braddock Rd, Alexandria
Please join us for coffee, bagels, and sharing.


ANNOUNCING THE 2012-2013 SPECIAL EDUCATION INVOLVEMENT SURVEY
All parents of school-aged children and youth who receive special education services in Virginia’s schools are encouraged to complete the Virginia Department of Education’s annual Parent Involvement Survey. This survey will be available September 15, 2012 to June 30, 2013 at:https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2012VAParentInvolvementSurvey
If you are unable to take the survey online, your child's school will provide paper versions for your use. All paper versions of the survey will include a pre-addressed, postage-paid return envelope. All responses will be sent directly to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). For more information please contact Patricia Haymes at the VDOE patricia.haymes@doe.virginia.gov or 804.786.0116.
Please refer to the files attached



CANCELLED: September 28-29: IDEA/IEP Seminar - Become a More Powerful Advocate!
Please note that this program has been cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date.

September 28: PEATC's Cafecitos (Coffee Talk)
10:00am-Noon, 100 N Washington Street, Suite 234, Falls Church, VA
Betsy McGuire, proud mother of a 29 year old Special Olympics athlete and PEATC Board member is the guest speaker. She will talk about the power of a parent's
voice in a child's education, and how a parent can get involved in his child's education and school, so don't miss it!  Register with DanielaAncalle at 703-923-0010.  This event will be in Spanish.
Betsy McGuire, orgullosa madre de un atleta de 29 años de edad de Olimpiadas Especiales y miembra la junta de PEATC es eloradora invitada. Ella hablará sobre el poder de la voz de los padres en la educación de su niño, y cómo los padres puedeninvolucrarse en la educación de su hijo y la escuela, así que no te lo pierdas! Registrarse con DanielaAncalle en 703-923-0010.Este evento será en español.

September 29: Miracle League Opening Ceremony 20121:00pm, Four Mile Run Park (behind Cora Kelly School), 3701 Commonwealth Ave, Alexandria, VA
A brief ceremony will honor the our Miracle Baseball League players and Angel volunteers. The rain site for the program will be at the George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mt. Vernon Avenue. For more information contact Mac Slover at 703.746.5407

October 2: Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
7:00-9:00pm, Minnie Howard Media Room,  3801 W. Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA
This is SEAC's first meeting of the school year. Among the items on the agenda will be a short presentation on the building plans for the new Jefferson-Houston school and children with disabilities. Please plan to attend. For more information please contact co-chair Janet Reese jreese3286@aol.com.

October 10: PEATC Webinar: Change the format; change the outcome. How mediation works.
Noon, Duration: 1 hour
When there are problems in developing an IEP, holding subsequent meetings with the same location, people and agenda often occurs.  This session will focus on what to expect which is unique when a mediator is invited to facilitate the discussion.  We’ll consider what each party brings to the table and how that defines the task of the mediator.  Examples of successful mediations will illustrate ways that the process can be effective in helping people to move from deadlock to resolution. Presented by Art Stewart, the Virginia State Special Education Mediation Services Coordinator. For more information:http://readytalk.com/r/2hku3ysse994?1348495218833

October 13: "Practice Flight" program
7:00-10:00am, Dulles International Airport 
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) is pleased to announce the launch of its pilot “Practice Flight” program for individuals with special needs. This program is designed to give families an opportunity to practice checking-in for a flight, going through the security screening process, and boarding a plane in a controlled, yet realistic environment.MWAA is partnering with United Airlines, AirProjects, Inc., and the Transportation Security Administration for this event.
Families wishing to participate in this event must pre-register in advance.For more information:http://www.mwaa.com/net/discover-dulles-special.aspx

October 13: Learning Disabilities Association of VA's 2012 Conference:
Learning Disabilities & Transition to Higher Education: What Students, Families, Professionals Should Know…
8:15am-2:00pm Marymount University, Reinsch Library
With the increasing numbers of students with learning disabilities seeking admission and being admitted to colleges and universities, it’s important for students and their families to be informed about the processes, legal information, and procedures that enable successful preparation for transition from secondary to postsecondary education. Keynote speaker: Elizabeth Getzel, director, postsecondary initiatives at Virginia Commonwealth University. For more information: http://www.ldavirginia.org/events.html

October 15: Access Community Lecture: What to Do Now? Resources for Those with Special Needs
7:30-9:00pm, McLean Bible Church, Tysons Campus, Community Room A, 8925 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA
When someone learns of a disability, often the first question is "What do I do now?" There is a great deal of information available on specific disabilities, services, education, supports and laws for individuals of any age.  In fact, there is so much information that it can be difficult to wade through it all.  Come learn what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to determine which information may be best for you. Guest Speaker Suzanne Ripley, Director, Accessing Disability Services. 
flyer attached, please distribute

October 16: Special Needs Trusts Free Informational Session:
7:15 pm, Tuckahoe Library, 1901 Starling Dr, Henrico, VA 23229
If you are a parent planning for the future of your child with special needs, or if you work with individuals with special needs, this event is for you! Special needs trusts allow funds to be set aside for the benefit of an individual with a disability in a way that will not jeopardize eligibility for SSI and Medicaid benefits.  Join us to learn more! For more information:http://specialneedstrust.eventbrite.com

October 20: ADHD ACROSS THE LIFESPAN8:00am–12:30pm, Virginia Tech, Northern Virginia Center, 7054 Haycock Road, Falls Church, Virginia 22043
A half-day mini-conference for parents of children with ADHD, adults with ADHD, educators, mental health professionals.Each presentation geared to all audiences. CEUs and recertification points for professional counselors and teachers.To register and for more information: http://wordsmth.tripod.com/chaddofnorthernvirginia/


The Virginia Ability Alliance maintains a calendar of local events . For more information:http://www.thearcofnova.org/info-referral/calendar/

Youth Topics is a service of the Center for Children and Families, Department of Community and Human Services, City of Alexandria. 
Sign up to receive the Youth Topics Newsletter: https://enews.alexandriava.gov/index.php?CCheck=1

Its not too late to join TOPSoccer!
2:00-3:15pm, Chinquapin Park, next to TC Williams High School, 3210 King Street, Alexandria, VA
 TOPSoccer is a non-competitive soccer skill building program for youth with and without disabilities.The season is scheduled to run for eight weeks through November 18. For more information contact Peter Abed 703.231.7354 or peter.abed@gmail.com or the Alexandria Soccer Association 703.684.5424.
 

The Autism Support Group continues through the year
The Parents of Students with Autism Support Group offers parents of children with autism an opportunity to meet other parents within the school system to share resources and information. And engage in knowledgeable conversation with members of the ACPS Autism team. This year the monthly meetings will alternate between morning and evening sessions. The next session will be an evening session on October 30 with Dr.Erin Stone. For information on the sessions scheduled for the year, see attached file.

SAVE THE DATE: Pathways to the FutureNovember 10, 9:00am-4:00pm, Chancellor High School, 6300 Harrison Road, Fredricksburg, VA
A free conference and resource fair for youth with disabilities, their parents/guardians and the professionals who support them.
Vendor fair and information sessions to assist you in preparing for the move from school to adult life in the community-TRANSITION!
Sponsored by (FACT) Fredericksburg Area Council on Transition For information, contact the disAbility Resource Center (540) 373-2559 

Organization for Autism Research (OAR) Publishes Navigating the Special Education System Guide for Parents
Navigating the Special Education System is the second of three resources developed as part of OAR’s “Autism in the Schoolhouse” initiative.  The first, Kit for Kids, is a colorful, interactive program that teaches typically developing elementary and middle school children about their peers with autism.The final piece, Understanding Autism: A Guide for Secondary Teachers, is a one-hour DVD designed to help teachers support students with autism in general education settings.The project is currently in production and set for completion in December. For more information:http://www.researchautism.org/resources/reading/index.asp#Sped

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