LCISD PAC Newsletter
Winter 2024 (2 of 3)
The LCISD Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)
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 PAC Presentation
Navigating Guardianship For Students With Disabilities
Virtual Event Details:
The LCISD Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is excited to host this live virtual event, Navigating Guardianship for Students with Disabilities on March 11, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 PM.
About The Presenter:
Malinda Allen, Lapeer County Probate Court
- I have been employed by Lapeer County for the last 21 years.
- Although I enjoyed the first 17 years as a Juvenile Probation Officer, I love working in Probate Court and the families we serve.
- I am married and have an (almost) 18 year old daughter. I have lived in the Lapeer area for all of my adult life and am proud of the way our different systems work together.
- I believe that the court system should be accessible for everyone in the community, and everyone should feel comfortable when dealing with us.
Malinda will present what parents need to know about the process for acquiring guardianship for an individual with a developmental disability. Dealing with the courts can seem overwhelming, so she's excited for this opportunity to make it easier. She's in the process of working on a checklist for parents/caregivers to help with the process that she'll talk about at this virtual event.
EVENT DETAILS
This presentation is appropriate for parents of students with developmental disabilities.
Malinda will cover:
- Who needs a guardian or what criteria needs to be met?
- When is the best time to start the process?
- Where do I start?
- What paperwork/forms are needed?
- How much does this all cost?
- What will the court hearing be like?
- What happens next?
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PARENT RESOURCES
MDE Office Of Special Education
Michigan Department of Education - Office of Special Education
Updated Guidance Documents:
- Determining the need for special education transportation
- Least Restrictive Environment The Requirements Package
- Independent Educational Evaluations
- MDE - Intersection of McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act and the IDEA
- Myths and Facts Surrounding Assistive Technology Devices and Services
- MDE - Initial Evaluation Infograph (pictured below)
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Human Development Commission
FREE Diaper Program
Diapers are available from the Human Development Commission for children ages 17 and under who reside in Lapeer County. There are no income guidelines. If a family needs diapers, they should call Ashley from HDC to schedule an appointment to go in and meet with her. (810) 969-4107
They need to bring the following to their appointment:
- Drivers License or ID showing a Lapeer County address (this is important - applications cannot be processed until they have proof of residency)
- Proof of income (paycheck stub, W-2, etc.)
- If receiving state assistance, they will need to bring their benefit letter
- If they have no income, they can complete a form with Ashley
LCISD is enrolling children active in Early On. For children ages Birth to three not in Early On, they should call Ashley at the number above.
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Michigan Alliance For Families
Michigan Alliance for Families
Website: https://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/
Did You Know MAF host parent friendly webinars throughout the month on various special education topics? Below is a list of upcoming webinar topics for March. You can also find record webinars on their website.
March 2024
March 8 Moving On from Early On ® with Stephanie Nicholls from 12:00pm-1:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/44hzraze
March 12 Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support Overview with Stephanie Nicholls from 12:00pm-1:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/csa5jt87
March 13 Brighton Understanding IEPs with Kelsey Biswanger at Arc Livingston at 7:00pm. Register by March 6.
March 14 The Power of Notice with Michelle Driscoll from 6:30pm-7:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/bdk32wcc
March 19 Exploring Behavior Supports with Stacie Rulison from 12:00pm-1:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/hjntdzp7
March 19 IEP: A Closer Look with Andrea Beachnau from 1:00pm-2:30pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/hu3j96rv
March 21 Collaborative Communication in Special Education with Beth Kohler from 12:00pm-1:00pm. Register at https://tinyurl.com/dh92te2k
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Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
Vaccination Trends
Measles is one of the most infectious pathogens, where 90% of people exposed will become infected with the illness if they are not immune. While it's highly contagious, measles is also vaccine preventable; and getting vaccinated is the best way to safely build immunity.
In fact, two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles and one dose is about 93% effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends children receive the first dose of MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months old and the second dose at 4 to 6 years old.
Across the U.S. and Michigan, routine immunization coverage is dropping. MMR vaccine coverage in Michigan children is around 85%, which is not sufficient for protecting our state. 95% coverage is needed to prevent measles outbreaks.
Measles Cases in Michigan
In late February, Michigan health officials confirmed that an Oakland County child had a case of measles – our state’s first confirmed case of the illness since 2019.
Then, on March 3, health officials learned of two more confirmed measles cases in Michigan – in an adult in Wayne County and in another adult in Washtenaw County – bringing Michigan’s total number of measles cases up to three.
All three cases are associated with international travel (though they are not epidemiologically linked). While the overall increase in domestic cases is largely due to international travel, measles exposures can occur from these cases in communities more susceptible to measles due to declining vaccination rates in the U.S.
There Is No Link Between Vaccines And Autism
Scientists in the United States and other countries have carefully studied the MMR shot. No studies have found a link between autism and the MMR shot. Learn more
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Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
Virtual learning series: Navigating Healthcare
The Navigating Healthcare series is designed to provide information, tips, and resources for families of children with special health care needs in Michigan. These one-hour virtual workshops are free and open to any parent, caregiver, youth, or professional with an interest in learning ways to work with the systems that provide care for children with special health care needs.
Michigan Assistive Technology Program (MATP)
Date: March 20, 2024
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
This one-hour workshop will cover information about the Michigan Assistive Technology Program (MATP). MATP provides access and information on low-tech and high-tech assistive technology device options available for people with disabilities. What is Assistive Technology (AT)? AT is any tool, software, or app that can help people with disabilities do what they want to do. MATP offers a lending library with a wide variety of devices. They provide trainings on how to use AT devices, and short- and long-term loans of AT are available to help identify what works and what doesn’t work. Presenter will be Erin Shannon from the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition.
To register, use the link:
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Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council & Disability Network West Michigan
A World of Opportunities
"A World of Opportunities," this is a great chance to look ahead to opportunities for youth with disabilities!
MiDDC and Disability Network West Michigan are hosting Employment 4 Life camps this summer! The first Employment for Life Camp will take place from June 24 to June 28 in Lansing.
PLEASE NOTE: This opportunity is for youth with disabilities that live in MTSA Region 2 (which includes Lapeer County). See the map for a breakdown of MTSA regions. Employment 4 Life will be offered in other regions in the future.
Employment 4 Life is a week-long camp that provides skill training, work experience, and networking opportunities for youth with disabilities. Employment 4 Life camps are free to join.
You can register by scanning the QR code in the flyer or visiting:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/35RG9RT
The application deadline is Monday, May 13, 2024.
Questions? Contact Mary Shehan at shehanm@michigan.gov or Trinell Payne-Scott at trinellps@disabilitynetworkwm.org.
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Special Education Mediation Services
7 Keys to Achieving Communication Success!
Communication is a key to success in every aspect of our lives: personal, friendships and career. Knowing how to communicate well can make all the difference.
- Active Listening - To truly hear what others are saying, we need to listen and hear what they are saying. Mind your body language!
- Choose Words Wisely - Be deliberate, clear, and concise.
- Keep Cool - Remain calm and collected when communicating and practice empathy.
- Be Assertive, not Aggressive - It's the sweet spot right in the middle between passive and hostile.
- Adapt to the Audience - A great communicator can adapt the communication style to suit the audience. Be flexible!
- Embrace Feedback - No one is perfect and we all have room for improvement. Be open to hear it!
- Practice makes Perfect - Like any other skill, communication takes practice. The more you engage, the better you become at expressing yourself.
Remember, effective communication is the foundation to strong relationships and personal and professional success.
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SO MANY FUN WINTER EVENTS!
Special Olympics Winter Games 2024
Lapeer County, Area 13, participated in the Special Olympics Michigan State Winter Games 2024!
What an exciting opportunity for all the athletes and coaches who participated. Way to represent Lapeer!
Lapeer Early Childhood Family Event
"I Love You To Pieces" Family Event
Here are some photos from the "I Love You To Pieces" event held by Lapeer Community Schools. What a wonderful family event. A huge "thank you" to all of the volunteers, sponsors (Lapeer ISD/Great Start Collaborative, Meijer, Village Printing and Donna Sierakowski), and those that donated baskets.
Lapeer Polar Plunge
The 2024 Lapeer Polar Plunge!
The 2024 Lapeer Polar Plunge was a HUGE success! With all of the fundraising efforts, they raised over $34,000 for the athletes of Special Olympics Michigan. This is the LARGEST Lapeer Polar Plunge yet!!!!
Thank you to all the plungers, sponsors, spectators and everyone else involved. A special thank you to Lake Inn for hosting and for being the best venue and such a big supporter! Also, thank you to the Michigan State Police Dive Team for keeping everyone safe!
MARCH IS
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⭐ Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in Michigan
National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD)
The campaign seeks to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life, as well as awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live.
Find more information at: https://nacdd.org/
⭐ Reading Month (Read Across America Week 2nd-6th)
Include Children Of All Abilities And Ages In Reading Through The Use Of Adapted Books And Props
Written by Jaimi Bird, M.A. CCC-SLP
Click the Article Below 👇
Adapted books . . .
. . .are repetitive in nature. A repetitive line in a book allows children to anticipate what is coming next in the story and allows for increased retention of information.
Adapted books...
. . . give children an opportunity to participate in reading. When a child is taking an active role in reading by taking a turn moving a prop or by using their senses as part of the story they are engaged and interested!
Adapted books...
. . .provide visual support for new or important vocabulary. By adding a visual support with pictures, new and important concepts and vocabulary are highlighted and more likely to be recalled. You can print symbols, scan book images, or use graphics from the internet that match the words in your book. Creating visuals that match your book promotes understanding of the story sequence.
Adapted books...
. . . give sensory input and connections to the story. Providing multi-sensory opportunities allows children to connect with the story in more ways than just by hearing it. Adding props that go along with your story makes the story richer and more meaningful
Adapted Books...
. . . stimulates large and small motor movements. Movement and physical activity is crucial to brain development. Allowing children to move their bodies while using adapted books increases their attention, comprehension, recall, and fun!
⭐ National Social Work Month (and School Social Workers Week 3rd-9th)
What Is So Special About A School Social Worker?
School Social Workers are trained and licensed mental health professionals with a degree in social work who provide services related to a person's social, emotional and life adjustment to school and/or society. School Social Workers are the link between the home, school and community in providing direct as well as indirect services to students, families and school personnel to promote and support students' academic and social success.
Lapeer County Intermediate School District
March 2024
👀 Keep Your Eyes Out For The Last PAC Newsletter of This School Year. 😎 The Spring/Summer Issue (In Late May) Will Have Ideas For Summer Camps & Summertime Fun.🏕️
*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, 1175 S. Lapeer Rd., 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.