January 2025
“In January, let go of the old; welcome in the new; and cherish the possibilities that lie ahead.”
~ Ernie J. Zelinski
Welcome to the January edition of The Buzz from the Hub! With so much happening in the world right now, we hope the start of your year has been a positive one. This month’s highlights include:
- an important update from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) on the use of seclusion and restraint practices in schools,
- joint guidance from the ED and Health and Human Services (HHS) on using Title I funds for high-quality preschool programs,
- the webinar recording on the recently issued guidance, Using Functional Behavioral Assessments to Create Supportive Learning Environments,
- and so much more!
Keep reading below to find all the great resources included in this month’s newsletter!
Best wishes and happy reading,
The CPIR Team
Featured Resource!
Secretary Cardona’s Policy Letter on Seclusion and Restraints
On January 8, 2025, Secretary Cardona issued a policy letter concerning the use of restraint and seclusion practices in schools. The U.S. Department of Education remains concerned that children continue to be subjected to restraint and seclusion practices even though these practices are harmful to children and despite the lack of evidence that these practices are effective strategies to respond to a child’s behavior or that these practices reduce the occurrence of behaviors that interfere with learning. The use of restraint and seclusion practices is inconsistent with our shared goal to ensure every child is treated with dignity and free from abuse.
Shareable Resources
Early Childhood |
Non-Regulatory Guidance Supporting High-Quality Preschool with Title I Funds: Guidance to Local Educational Agencies and Schools on Implementing the Required Head Start Program Performance Standards for Title I-Funded Preschool Programs
On December 18, 2024 the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released Title I ECE program non-regulatory joint guidance. This guidance provides information for local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools on the Head Start Performance Standards that apply when the LEA or school use Title I funds to support an early education program. It supports high-quality, developmentally-informed preschool instruction based on best practices in child development and early learning.
Education |
Using Functional Behavioral Assessments to Create Supportive Learning Environments
In November 2024 the U.S. Department of Education released guidance to help schools and early childhood programs better address students’ behavioral needs. In December the Department of Education hosted a webinar to discuss the guidance in detail.
View the webinar recording here.
Youth |
Employment Checklist for Students (Ages 14-22) with Disabilities
Getting a job is an exciting experience that takes planning. There are important documents you may need before you can get a job. There are skills you will need to prepare you for employment, and actions that you may need to take to be successful. This checklist from PEATC can help you prepare for employment.
Young Adults |
Simplified Online SSI Application Now Available as First Step in Larger Effort
An online application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is now available for some adults, making the application process easier. Following up on an announcement earlier this year, the simplified online application is part of the agency’s overall commitment to improving access to our benefits and programs.
Parent Leadership |
Webinar | Partnering with Families in the Digital Learning Process
This session with the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES) explored how meaningful engagement with families supports the development of an inclusive education ecosystem. Examples included parents/guardians joining school teams to move the needle in collaborative planning, putting the student first to ensure equitable access to all learning materials and leveraging resources from CITES to support family engagement in inclusive technology planning practices.
Watch the webinar and access the handouts here.
Upcoming Events
Lessons from the Field Webinar Series: Engaging Families to Support Student Achievement
Family engagement can be challenging, so how can schools effectively partner with families? What can schools do to improve the ways they connect with families? These are the questions that will be addressed in the webinar hosted by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Safe and Supportive Schools, the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE).
When: Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 PM ET
Implementing Mental Health Initiatives in Schools
Hosted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the U.S. Department of Education (ED), this webinar will build on the information discussed during the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) presentation held in the Spring of 2024, bringing together mental health professionals and education experts to discuss the implementation of evidence-based strategies to improve mental health in schools.
When: January 16, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM ET
Looking for more events? Check out
the Hub Central Event Calendar
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Publication of this e-Newsletter is made possible through Cooperative Agreement H328R230009 between OSEP and the SPAN Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN). The contents do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Education, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government or by the Center for Parent Information and Resources.
