Regional Input Forums - Specific Learning Disability (SLD) Guidelines

March 31, 2008 --  9:00 - 11:00 AM --PaTTAN King of Prussia

April 9, 2008 --     1:00 - 3:00 PM --PaTTAN Pittsburgh

April 23, 2008 --   1:00 - 3:00 PM --PaTTAN Harrisburg

The use of RTI as part of the Specific Learning Disability (SLD) identification process is a new and challenging aspect of the IDEA and Pennsylvania regulations. The Bureau of Special Education and the Bureau of Teaching and Learning, in conjunction with the RtI-SLD subgroup of the Statewide Response to Intervention Workgroup, has developed guidelines to determine eligibility for SLD. These forums provide the opportunity for public input and response to the draft guidelines.  You may also provide input by visiting www.pattan.net .

 

 Intended Audience: special education directors, multidisciplinary teams, school psychologists, building administrators, special education teachers, regular education teachers, special education directors, multidisciplinary teams, school psychologists building administrators, special education teachers, regular education teachers

 

 Register on-line at www.pattan.net and entering the Registration On-line page.

 

Content Related Information and Questions:   King of Prussia - Amy Smith at asmith@pattan.net ;  Pittsburgh - Ann Hinkson-Hermann at ahinkson-herrmann@pattan.net; 

 

Harrisburg - Dr. Joy Eichelberger at joye@pattan.net

 

Bureau of Autism Service of Pennsylvania Department of Welfare Mini-Grants up to $500.00.

Mini Grants are available to support individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their familes that include an individual with ASD.  Grant funds may be used for respite/child care, summer camp, recreational or community programs, conferences/workshops and safety modifications.  The application is available at the Bureau website at: http://www.autisminpa.org/ 

The Application must be completed and postmarked by April 18, 2008. 

 

3rd Annual Family Theater Event sponsored by The ParentWISE Program of Family Services of Western PA

April 04, 2008 -  6:00 PM at the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center in Greensburg PA.  The Emperor’s New Clothes will be the play performed by the Greasepaint Players of the Greensburg Civic Theater.  The ParentWISE Program will host a party prior to the 7:30pm performance.  Tickets are $10.00 per person and include games, crafts, refreshments and admission to the play.

Contact:  Julie Cawoski at cawoskij@fswp.org or 724 837-5410 ext. 701 

Orientation to High Fidelity Wraparound

April 8th, 2008 in the West - 10:00AM to 3:00 PM - Pittsburgh

April 10th, 2008 in the East - 10:00AM to 3:00 PM – King of Prussia

Learn about the Youth and Family Training Institute and High Fidelity Wraparound, and How High Fidelity Wraparound can be implemented throughout Pennsylvania Children’s Behavioral Health System.  Seats are limited; please contact Lori Kramer at 412-246-6767 or kramerla@upmc.edu to register for this event.  Lunch will be provided. 

Deadline for registration is Friday, April 4, 2008.

Questions to Shannon Fagan, Director, Youth and Family Training Institute by email at  fagansm@upmc.edu or by calling 412-648-6464

April 8th training will be held at PaTTAN Pittsburgh.  A gate code will be given to you upon registration:

 

Gate Entry Instructions:  Enter U-PARC complex at Gate A and park in any space located near Turnstile 6. Enter the conferencing center through the horizontal sliding gates at the turnstile.

 

1. At the sliding gate keypad, enter the five-digit pass code and the # sign that you received prior to your arrival. Press firmly.

 

2. If you forgot the pass code, press the red buzzer button that connects you to the guardhouse. The security personnel will check your name with a list of pre-approved entrants and will "buzz" you through the gate.

 

3. If you have not pre-registered and do not have the pass code, go to the guardhouse located at Gate C, provide photo identification and obtain a visitor's pass for the day.

 

The April 10th training will be held at PaTTAN King of Prussia

 

Enhancing Attachment: Strategies for Families and Professionals

April 10, 2008 and April 11, 2008  -- HACC Lancaster Campus; 1641 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, PA 17602

E-Mail: info@instituteforchildren.org  Web-Site: http://www.instituteforchildren.org/

 

“Comprehensive Assessment & Treatment of Autism & ADHD.”  - Elizabeth Finley-Belgrad, M D

April 12, 2008 - 1:00 PM -3:00 PM - Comfort Inn-Pittsburgh East,  699 Rodi Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235

To register call Linda Brozanic or Bryan Olson at 1-800-288-0383

 

Practical Strategies for Autism & Asperger’s Syndrome in the School and Home – presenter Rebecca Moyes

April 9, 2008 – Meadville, PA

April 16, 2008 – Grove City, PA

Conference designed for Regular and Special Education Teachers (Elementary and Secondary), Counselors, Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Administrators, Psychologists, Mental Health Professionals, Parents, or anyone working with a child with Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome.

Learner Outcomes: List the five Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Identify practical strategies for teaching social skills to children with autism/Asperger’s; Develop positive behavioral support plans to address many different types of behavioral deficits including attentional issues and sensory impairments; Learn how to conduct a functional behavioral analysis for kids with PDD; Learn quick and effective ways to collect data; Learn to write measurable IEP goals to address social skills; Learn specific ways to adapt and modify the curriculum for children with PDD

For conference brochure and to register visit  www.avidlearning.org and click on the conference tab.  For information call:  724-594-1090.

 

Everyone Can Communicate

April 12, 2008 - 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM  -- Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV -  453 Maple St., Grove City, PA 16127

When someone cannot communicate through spoken words, there are many augmentative or alternative ways to communicate. Some people require aids such as a communication book or a speech generating device. Others require no aid—they use gestures or sign language.

To register: Contact: Kathy Lesko, 412-995-5000 x509, or klesko@achieva.info - Act 48 Credits ($10 fee). Training provided at no cost.

Call toll-free 1-866-865-6170 for more information about The Partnership or visit www.TheTrainingPartnership.org

 

Medical Assistance & Waivers: Using Public Insurance to Get Services & Supports You Need

FREE WORKSHOPS SPONSORED BY FAMILY TO FAMILY HEALTH INFORMATION PROJECT

David Gates, Esq., Managing Attorney-Harrisburg, PA Health Law Project --Medical Assistance and Waivers are the most common funding sources for non-educational services and supports for children and adolescents with special health care needs and disabilities. Learn who can qualify, what’s covered and what to do if coverage is denied.  Topics covered:  Eligibility rules for Medical Assistance and “Loophole”; How to apply; Services and supports under Medical Assistance (MA) including EPSDT program;  What are “Waivers”;  Eligibility rules for Waivers and how to apply;  Services and supports under Waivers;  Appeal rights under Medical Assistance and Waivers

April 15,  2008 – 6:00-8:00 PM – Harrisburg  --Wingate Hotel 385 Cumberland Parkway, Mechanicsburg., PA 17055

April 29,  2008 – 6:00-8:00 PM  – Wilkes Barre/Scranton--Hampton Inn 22 Montage Mountain Rd, Exit 182 off I 81, Scranton, PA 18507

May 5, 2008  6:00-8:00 PM – Pittsburgh --  Scranton Allegheny IU-Rogers Rm, 475 E Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA 15120

May 15, 2008 -  12:00-2:00 PM -- Philadelphia --Workshop repeated 5:00-700 PM, Liberty Resources, Inc., Wade Blank Room, 2nd Floor, 714 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Registration is required.  Registration deadline is one week prior to the workshop you plan to attend.

Registration form will be available on line after March 21, 2008 at www.pealcenter.org.  Registration may also be E-mailed to: Admin@pealcenter.org.  Use “MA Workshop” as the title of your message Please include the following information:  name, address, phone, e-mail address, county and location  you will attend.  Questions: 412-281-4404 or toll free 866-950-1040

 

Dropout Prevention Among Students with Disabilities: Implementing Evidence-Based Practices

April 15, 2008 –  9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Location:  A complete list of downlink sites is available at the online registration site on www.pattan.net he training will include a review of:

-Literature on dropout prevention among students with disabilities, -Evidenced-based practices, and -Research based programs.

 This videoconference is presented as one of the strategies developed by the Bureau of Special Education to support Indicator 2 (Drop out Among Students with Disabilities) of the State Performance Plan (SPP).

 Target Audience: District Curriculum Directors, District Special Education Supervisors, IU Special Education Directors and Supervisors

IU Curriculum Directors and Supervisors, Charter School CAO's -- Act 48 Hours  -- Register directly on-line by visiting www.pattan.net  and entering the Registration On-line page.   Content Related Info and Questions: Enie Murphy - emurphy@pattan.net - General Reg. Info and Questions: Kristen Olszyk - kolszyk@pattan.net

 

National Standards Project Report on Autism Interventions Web Cast

April 16, 2008,  9:00 AM -3:30 PM -- View at select sites, home or web cast.  For a complete listing of viewing sites, please check our website at www.pattan.net.  -  Please click on the following link on April 16, 2008 at least 10-15 minutes prior the start of the training.  http://www.vemics.com/pattanlogin/ .   This session will provide participants with a report from the National Standards Project reviewing the most current research-validated and effective interventions for learners with ASD.

The afternoon will provide guidelines from the Pennsylvania Department of Education regarding what base level knowledge, skills and competencies related to educating learners with autism all professional staff working in schools should have in their pre-service training programs.

 Presenter:  Susan M. Wilczynski, PhD BCBA, National Autism Center; Cathy Scutta, M.S., OTR/L, BCBA, PaTTAN Educational Consultant

Credit:  Act 48, ASHA, BACB & Psych

*You must complete a survey in order to receive the above referenced credits.  *Details on accessing survey provided at the end of session.

 IMPORTANT REGISTRATION INFORMATION - Register on-line at www.pattan.net  and enter the Registration On-line page.

 * if you wish to receive hours/credit for participating in this event you MUST register through  online registration system regardless of where you will be view the event.  *If you plan to view this web cast from a personal computer rather than at a viewing site and wish to receive hours/credits, please chose "PaTTAN-Online Course" as your location.

For content related information:Cathy Scutta at 717-541-4960 ext. 3103;  For registration information, contact:   Kristin Olszyk via email at kolszyk@patta

 

The ABCs of IEPs: Writing Effective Goals – Live, Free Online Learning Session -

April 17, 2008 - 10 AM to 12 PM - This live, online session is for anyone interested in learning more about writing an effective IEP, including parents, professionals and advocates. There is no registration fee to participate, but seating is limited. You must pre-register online. Once you have registered, easy to follow instructions will be e-mailed explaining how to download free software necessary to participate and how to access the online meeting room.  For more information or to register, go to www.center-school.org/sknsoc .

For questions or assistance, contact:  Center for Schools and Communities 717-763-1661 ext. 110

 

Credential of Competency for Parareducators - Standard 5: Learning Environments/Social Interactions

 April 22, 2008 -- 4:15 - 6:15 PM  -- A complete list of downlink sites is available at www.pattan.net

This is the fifth presentation in a videoconference series designed specifically to help paraeducators build the knowledge and skills needed to obtain the Special Education Paraeducator Credential of Competency, available through the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education.  Content for the two-year series will be aligned to the ten performance standards listed in the Special Education Paraeducator Standards for Practice: Competency Assessment Checklist. Each session will concentrate on one standard. Attending this videoconference will provide participants with information on the knowledge areas and allow them to achieve this area on their Competency Checklist. Information will also be provided to allow participants to demonstrate S1, S2, S3, and S4  to supervisors.

Presenter(s): PaTTAN Educational Consultants

Credits offered: Act 48 Hours.  Visit www.pattan.net

 

Assistive Technology Vendors Fair

 April 24, 2008 2:00  PM - 7:00 PM -- UCP Community Service Centre 4638 Centre Avenue  Two special break-out sessions

Visit www.ucppittsburgh.org   for details.  Limited Free Parking Available The Family Advocacy Network is proud to sponsor this fair. For more information call Connie Campbell at 412-683-7100 ext. 2211 or by email at ccampbell@ucppittsburgh.org.

 

Toward Religious Inclusivity: Beyond ADA to Full Participation - for people of all faiths exploring ways of opening religious experience to people with special needs.

April 26, 2008 - 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM - Southminster Presbyterian Church

Registration fee of $25 includes lunch.  Scholarships are available.  Call 412-343-8900 for information or visit our website www.spchurch.org  (News) for registration details.

Featured Speaker: Bill Stillman is the author of Autism And the God Connection, The Soul of Autism, The Autism Answer Book, The Everything Parent's Guide to Children with Bipolar Disorder, and a number of other wonderful books. Bill has worked in the disabilities field since 1987 and was employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare as the statewide point person for children and adolescents with learning differences, mental health issues and autism. Bill is an adult with Asperger's Syndrome.

Workshops and panel discussions will address strategies for greater inclusion for people with a wide variety of physical and mental disabilities.

 

Painting a Mural - “Parenting: One Tough Job” - Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, 10 Childrens Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

April 26, 2008 - Starting at 12:00 noon  --  Join with Allegheny County Department of Human Services, the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, families, child advocates and prevention organizations to recognize that parenting is one tough job and learn about Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Help to create a unique piece of artwork depicting the “one tough job” that parents face each day; Get your blue ribbon pins; Learn more about resources available to families, including an award-winning publication, One Tough Job; And most importantly, find out how you can become a part of Pennsylvania’s efforts to prevent child abuse.  ( Museum admission is required for participating in the mural event)

For more information on Child Abuse Prevention Month efforts in Pennsylvania, contact Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance at1-800-448-4906 or info@pa-fsa.org

 

Linking Language, Literacy and AAC: Expanding and Advancing Abilities and Interests Now for Success Later

April 29, 2008, 6:00 – 8:00 PM  -  ACHIEVA, 711 Bingham St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

Presenters: Linda Doernberg, MA Ed, Reading Specialist and Beth Sinteff, MS CCC-SLP

Presentation will include best practice examples of linking language and literacy instruction using AAC tools. Educators and parent welcome.

Act 48 credits available. There is a $10 processing fee. Please bring a check payable to Temple University.

RSVP [mailto:fagansm@upmc.edu] 412-995-5000  x509 or  klesko@achieva.info

Please contact us with any questions or concerns at info@pealcenter.org.