LCISD PAC Newsletter
Winter 2023 (February) Edition 2 of 3
The Lapeer County ISD - Parent Advisory Committee
The Lapeer County Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is a group of educators and parents representing our local school districts whose primary focus is to stay informed regarding Special Education plans and changes, current trends in Special Education at the County, State, and Federal level, and if needed, to assist and promote partnerships among parents and educators that benefit students with disabilities.
The PAC takes an active role in the development of the Lapeer County Special Education Mandatory Plan, a document which describes the delivery of special education services in Lapeer County. The PAC provides workshops and speakers from the county and Statewide programs which can richly serve not only the parents of children with special needs, but in many instances the individual with the disability.
UPCOMING PARENT PRESENTATIONS
EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMMING - AN OVERVIEW
March 6, 2023 (6:00-8:00 PM)
Click Below For The Full Flyer & Details
PREVIOUS PAC PRESENTATIONS
Stay Well - Tips for Youth & Caregiver Wellness
Secondary Transition & Employment - An Overview
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SPECIAL OLYMPICS
First Special Olympics Basketball Team In Lapeer!
The Special Olympics Polar Plunge Is Coming To Lapeer
The athletes develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy while participating in the sharing of skills and friendships with other athletes and their families.
Special Olympic athletes are part of every community. They are active contributing members of their local community. They are your neighbors, the bagger at your local store, or someone who lives next door. The athletes achieve their dreams with the support of caring volunteers, coaches, and family members. This would not be possible without the support of local communities.
One of the biggest fundraisers is the Area 13 Polar Plunges. The one in Lapeer County will be on March 4, 2023.
You can help support the athletes in Lapeer by making a donation at the link below or gather a team and join the fun!
Be Bold And Get Cold
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Woodchips BBQ Paid Off School Account Lunch Debt
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PARENT RESOURCES
MDE - Office of Special Education Parent Resources
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Family Matters
MDE-OSE Family Matters FACT Sheet
Family Matters FACT Sheet Flyer
Find FACT Sheets on the various topics listed below:
- Accommodations, Modifications, Practices and Supports
- Dispute Resolution Options
- Educational Evaluation, Placement, and Settings
- Educational Law, Policy, and Practices
- Family Support and General Resources
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Michigan Alliance for Families February Newsletter
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SEMS is FREE to Parents!
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Disability Rights Michigan
Phone: 517-487-1755
Services Include:
Direct Advocacy
Statewide Advocacy
Specialized Programs
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Michigan Family Connections
Michigan Family Connections Resources
Family Center for Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs
Michigan Family to Family Health Information Center
**Family Center for Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs**
***2023 CAMP SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION****
Parents/Caregivers of a child or youth with special health care needs are encouraged to apply for up to $250 for a Camp Scholarship from the Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (Family Center). The scholarship program has limited funding available, so submit your application as soon as possible. WHO MAY BE ELIGIBLE? Applicants are eligible for the Camp Scholarship once every 2 years, and one Camp Scholarship opportunity per family. Camper must be between the ages of 5-21.
Applications are accepted January 1, 2023, through March 31, 2023. Children and youth with special health care needs are eligible regardless of their enrollment with Children’s Special Health Care Services (CSHCS). Scholarship recipients must participate in a camp between January 1, 2023, through September 30, 2023.
Camp Guidelines: The camp must be in Michigan and have a camp license. The camper must reside in Michigan at the time of applying and attending the camp. Camps scholarships are not just limited to face-to face camps, virtual camps are considered as well.
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Information for People with Disabilities to Move to their Own Place
The Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute at Wayne State University provides community education for people with disabilities and their families on living in your own place.
Navigational supports to plan and implement a move from a family home or group home is provided by MI-DDI Self-Advocates and Project Coordinators for up to one year!
Join Us in February or March to learn more about how we can support people with disabilities and their families to live in their community. Click on the attached flyers below.
2 Upcoming Virtual Trainings
• Talk with individuals with disabilities & their families about living in the community.
• Share experiences & answer questions.
• Provide ongoing peer support for 12 months for people moving to their own place!
• Talk with individuals with disabilities & their families about living in the community.
• Share experiences & answer questions.
• Provide ongoing peer support for 12 months for people moving to their own place!
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Satewide Autism Resources & Training (START)
Transition - Empowerment Through Self-Determination
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MDE Michigan Dyslexia Handbook
A Guide to Accelerating Learner Outcomes in Literacy
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FAMILY FUN!
Lapeer Community Center is excited to introduce its first ever special needs program, Social Group! This program is for physically and/or mentally impaired individuals ranging from ages 13- adult. Every Wednesday there will be a Social Group activity. Examples include game night, crafts, karaoke night, gym time and much more. We will also have off site social group events, such as bowling, which will require your own transportation. Once a month on a Saturday night, a holiday or themed dance will also be planned.
Social Group is an atmosphere where everyone is ready to make new friends and have fun. A monthly calendar will be available listing each Social Group activity and will provide times, location and costs. Pre- registering for Social Group is strongly preferred, but not mandatory. Reserve your spot as soon as possible by going to Lapeerpr.recdesk.com and registering, or you can email or call Aubry Fredricksen, Afredricksen@ci.lapeer.mi.us, (810) 664-4431.
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MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS RESOURCES
Stay Well
What is the Stay Well program?
The Stay Well program provides emotional support to Michiganders who have experienced mental health impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. We know that everyone’s been touched by the pandemic in some way. Stay Well was created to help promote resilience and healing.
Michigan Stay Well Counseling Line
Dial 1-888-535-6736 and press "8"
Available 24/7 - confidential and free
View, download and print Stay Well's CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Stay Well Website: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/resources/mental-health-resources
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Developmental Disabilities & Mental Health Resources
Mental Health Guidebook for Families of People with Developmental Disabilities
Behavioral/ Emotional Concerns- Caregiver Checklist
2 GREAT Resources Below:
- 4 Ways to Support A Child While Waiting to Start Therapy
- 3 Ways to Prepare for Your Child's Therapy
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Michigan's Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a 24/7 toll-free nationwide hotline, made up of a network of independently operated and funded local call centers (200+) across the country.
Need Support Now?
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit the Lifeline Chat to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
24/7 Crisis Line | Phone: 988 | Our Network: Lifeline
Michigan Crisis and Access Line (MiCAL)
24/7 Crisis Line | MiCAL Website
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Check Out The App Below
How We Feel is a free app created by scientists, designers, engineers, and therapists to help people better understand their emotions and find strategies to help them navigate their emotions in the moment. Conceived in conjunction with Yale University's Center for Emotional Intelligence and based on the work of Dr Marc Brackett,
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Talking to Children About Violence - Tips:
High profile acts of violence, particularly in schools, can confuse and frighten children who may feel in danger or worry that their friends or loved-ones are at risk. They will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react. Parents and school personnel can help children feel safe by establishing a sense of normalcy and security and talking with them about their fears.
- Reassure children that they are safe. Emphasize that schools are very safe. Validate their feelings. Explain that all feelings are okay when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.
- Make time to talk. Let their questions be your guide as to how much information to provide. Be patient; children and youth do not always talk about their feelings readily. Watch for clues that they may want to talk, such as hovering around while you do the dishes or yard work. Some children prefer writing, playing music, or doing an art project as an outlet. Young children may need concrete activities (such as drawing, looking at picture books, or imaginative play) to help them identify and express their feelings.
- Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate.
- Early elementary school children need brief, simple information that should be balanced with reassurances that their school and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them. Give simple examples of school safety like reminding children about exterior doors being locked, child monitoring efforts on the playground, and emergency drills practiced during the school day.
- Upper elementary and early middle school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need assistance separating reality from fantasy. Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to provide safe schools.
- Upper middle school and high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. Emphasize the role that students have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines (e.g. not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus, reporting threats to the school safety made by students or community members, etc.), communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators, and accessing support for emotional needs.
- Review safety procedures. This should include procedures and safeguards at school and at home. Help children identify at least one adult at school and in the community to whom they go if they feel threatened or at risk.
- Observe children’s emotional state. Some children may not express their concerns verbally. Changes in behavior, appetite, and sleep patterns can also indicate a child’s level of anxiety or discomfort. In most children, these symptoms will ease with reassurance and time. However, some children may be at risk for more intense reactions. Children who have had a past traumatic experience or personal loss, suffer from depression or other mental illness, or with special needs may be at greater risk for severe reactions than others. Seek the help of mental health professional if you are at all concerned.
- Limit television viewing of these events. Limit television viewing and be aware if the television is on in common areas. Developmentally inappropriate information can cause anxiety or confusion, particularly in young children. Adults also need to be mindful of the content of conversations that they have with each other in front of children, even teenagers, and limit their exposure to vengeful, hateful, and angry comments that might be misunderstood.
- Maintain a normal routine. Keeping to a regular schedule can be reassuring and promote physical health. Ensure that children get plenty of sleep, regular meals, and exercise. Encourage them to keep up with their schoolwork and extracurricular activities but don’t push them if they seem overwhelmed.
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February Is Black History Month!
5 Places To Celebrate Black History Month
Black History Month Crafts For Kids
Books to Celebrate Black History Month
Lapeer County ISD
Email: tfrakes@lapeerisd.org
Website: lapeerisd.org
Location: 690 North Lake Pleasant Road, Attica, MI, USA
Phone: 810-664-1124
The Lapeer County ISD Does Not Endorse Any One Particular Resources Listed Above.
The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, age, marital or family status, genetic information, height, weight, military status, ancestry, or any other statutorily protected category (collectively “Protected Classes”) in its programs, activities, or employment. The following individuals have been designated by the Board of Education to serve as the District’s” Compliance Officers” (also known as “Civil Rights Coordinators”) to handle inquiries regarding the District’s nondiscrimination, prohibition against discrimination based on disability, and anti-harassment policies: Michelle Proulx, Director of Special Education (student-related) or Ann M. Schwieman, Director of Administrative Services and Personnel (staff-related); Address (for mailing purposes only): Lapeer County ISD Administration Building, 1996 W. Oregon St., Lapeer, MI 48446; Phone (to speak to or schedule an appointment with a Compliance Officer): (810) 664-5917; Email Addresses: mproulx@lapeerisd.org or aschwieman@lapeerisd.org.