Iowa Family & Educator Partnership

Iowa Family & Educator Partnership/FEP works to develop and sustain effective partnerships between families, educators, and community providers to promote the success for all children and youth with disabilities.

FEP coordinators work with parents, educators, and local school districts to provide FEP programs, services, and activities; they are also parents of children or young adults with special needs. Please call your coordinator for more information about what the FEP can do for you.

Training Opportunities

LEARNING OPPORTUNITY

Community Action is presenting information identifying resources and programs available in Des Moines County
Time: 1:00 PM-2:00PM Date: July 27, 2018
Where: Insight Partnership Group 1105 Derek Lincoln Drive West Burlington Iowa 52655

Please RSVP: 319-208-1891

This is a free presentation designed to educate the community on how to access programs such as heating assistance, rent reimbursement, weatherization, Parenting classes, vouchers, food pantry, and more

Refreshments will be provided

PACER Symposium about Children & Young Adults with Mental Health and Learning Disabilities

Date: Wednesday, August 08, 2018
Time: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Registration is now open!
www.pacer.org/symposium/

Registration Fee: $35, lunch will be provided
Registration is limited. Administrator and teacher CEU's will be available.

Goal of the Symposium

The symposium is designed to enhance awareness and identify strategies for responding to mental health and learning disabilities in children and young adults from the perspective of teachers and parents.

The symposium will provide high quality professional and parent development for Minnesota educators and parents regarding: children's mental health and learning disabilities.

Recorded Learning Opportunities

Disability Rights of Iowa Speaks to GPAEA Families about Child Find and Manifestation Determination. Click here to watch the full video.

Children at Home

The Children at Home program is designed to assist you and your family in securing the services and supports that you identify as necessary in helping your child remain at home. An underlying principle of the Children at Home program is that you and your family retain control of decisions which affect your child and family. Financial assistance is intended to enable you to obtain those services and supports which are not met by other programs.

This program is designed to assist families raising a child with a disability in obtaining needed services and supports. The Family's intent must be to secure services and support that enable their child to remain in the family home.

“Services and support” help children with disabilities to remain at home, function more independently, and increase community inclusion. Services and support may include, but are not limited to, funding for:

Purchase of equipment, respite care, supplies, or assistive technology.
Payment of other costs that relate to the individual’s disability.

For more information, click here.

The Impacts of Tourette Syndrome Study

How has having Tourette Syndrome or a Tic Disorder affected you or your family? The Tourette Association of America is looking for participants to take a brief survey on the
impacts of having Tourette Syndrome or a Tic Disorder. Click below to take the survey. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2RCRMX9

Anxiety: Why It’s Different From Stress

Anxiety is not uncommon among children with learning and attention issues.
There’s a difference between anxiety and stress.
There are steps you can take to help your child manage anxiety.

Click here for the full article.

Transition Related Resources

Transition Toolkit

The Transition Toolkit provides valuable information on the transition to adulthood. Topics include, self-advocacy, independent living skills, legal matters, and many other important topics. The transition page includes state specific transition timelines. https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/tool-kits/transition-tool-kit

Family members of adolescents and young adults with autism between the ages of 13 and 22 in the United States may request a complimentary hard copy of the Transition Tool Kit by filling out the Transition Tool Kit order form. Transition Tool Kit Hardcopy Request

For professionals, service providers, and family members of individuals with autism outside the U.S. and those who do not fall in the age range, we encourage you to download the kit free of charge. Transition Toolkit Download Form

A link to our housing and community living portal can be found at https://www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/housing-and-community-living. A pdf of the Housing and Residential Supports Toolkit can be found at https://www.autismspeaks.org/sites/default/files/housing_tool_kit_web2.pdf

In addition, we have a job portal for individuals with autism www.thespectrumcareers.org. It is a free site for employers, service providers and job seekers.

Guide to Mobile Apps for Transition-age Youth

Many free and low-cost mobile apps are available to support transition-age youth with disabilities as they embark on their journey towards post-secondary education, job training, employment, and independent living. With so many options, where do you begin? A new PACER book, “The Path to Independence: Mobile Apps to Support Transition-Age Youth,” includes apps that parents and professionals have found useful and well-designed. Download a copy or call 952-838-9000 to order. http://www.pacer.org/transition/resource-library/publications/NPC-59.pdf

Transition Documents

Contacts

Annette Clarahan
Family & Educator Coordinator
641-682-8591 or 800-622-0027 Ext. 5517
annette.clarahan@gpaea.org

Districts Covered: Albia, Cardinal, Centerville , Chariton, Davis County, Eddyville-Blakesburg , Fairfield, Fremont, Keota, Maharishi, Moravia, Moulton - Udel, North Mahaska, Oskaloosa Christian, Oskaloosa, Ottumwa, Ottumwa Juvenile Shelter, Ottumwa Seton Catholic School, Pekin, Seymour, Sigourney, Tri County, Van Buren, Wayne.

Kelly Wallace
Family & Educator Coordinator
319-753-6561 or 800-382-8970 Ext. 3034
kelly.wallace@gpaea.org

Districts Covered: Burlington, Central Lee, Danville, Ft. Madison, Harmony, Keokuk, Mediapolis, Morning Sun, Mt. Pleasant, New London, Waco, Wapello, West Burlington, Winfield/Mt. Union.

Dr. Deb Cook
641-682-8591 Ext. 5324 Ottumwa Office
deb.cook@gpaea.org

Parent Support Groups/Classes

Newsletters

Each and Every Child, Iowa Department of Education

Center Lines, Newsletter from the U of IA Center for Disabilities and Development

Procedural Safeguards for Parents

Parents have rights, known as procedural safeguards, which apply to every aspect of the special education process. State and federal laws and regulations outline what needs to happen to ensure that children with identified disabilities and on an Individualized Education Program (IEP) receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE).