August 2024
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
~ Malcolm X
August…the month when families are enjoying the last few weeks of summer break, but it is also the month when families and students are starting to prepare for the upcoming school year. What new adventures and experiences will this new school year bring?
To help you prepare for the transition from summer break to school, we are thrilled to bring you the August edition of the Buzz from the Hub with resources for the little ones (Early Childhood), K-12 (Education), Youth, Young Adults, and Parent Leadership.
Best wishes and happy reading,
The CPIR Team
Shareable Resources
Early Childhood |
Help Wanted: Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education Workforce Needs Findings from a National Survey
The ED-funded Early Childhood Personnel Center collaborated with the National Institute for Early Education Research and recently released report findings from a national survey of the early intervention and early childhood special education workforce. The goal was to obtain a national picture of the EI/ECSE workforce’s education, credentials, pre- and in-service training, and knowledge about EI and ECSE. This report summarizes the main findings from the survey.
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Education |
IEPs vs Service Plans: Everything You Need to Know!
Are you considering sending your child with special needs to a private school? More and more families are considering this as an option. However, many differences exist when it comes to sending your child with special needs to private schools.
While public schools are required to offer special education services, private schools aren’t. Public schools can provide learners with special needs supports and services to best meet the students’ educational needs in their IEPs, whereas private schools may offer learners Service Plans. But what is the difference between the two?
Click here to read the article.
Developing Your Child’s IEP
Need more information about special education and all there is to know about the supports and services your child may be able to receive in school? This guide can help you learn what you need to know. It explains the basics of the special education process and gives you information on how to be an effective partner with your child’s school.
**Don’t forget! You can request an IEP meeting at any time.**
Click here to get all the information.
Youth |
Youth Employment: A Foundation for Mental Health and Well-Being
In May, the department launched a new webpage (www.dol.gov/youthmentalhealth) devoted to young people’s mental health needs. Whether you’re a young person, part of the workforce system, an employer, or a policymaker, everyone has a role supporting young people’s well-being by helping more young people access the mental health resources they need and get into good jobs that they can build a healthy life around and thrive. The Department of Labor encourages everyone to explore the content and share with the department what they are doing in their community on this important topic by submitting their stories through their new webpage. Compiling these stories and sharing them helps spread the word about youth mental health. Contribute today (https://www.dol.gov/general/ |
Young Adults |
Involving Teens and Young Adults in Selecting Assistive Technology
This 4-page resource helps families involve teens and young adults in learning about and selecting assistive technology (AT). An important goal for older students is to understand the areas in which technology can support them in their educational and employment goals. The tip sheet encourages students to advocate for themselves, and to take an active role in selecting assistive technology to address their needs.
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Amplify Advocacy Stories for Youth by Youth
The Amplify Advocacy Stories for Youth by Youth is a chance for youth and young adults with disabilities to share their stories, challenges, and advice with other youth with disabilities.
Parent Leadership |
Six Global Lessons on How Family, School, and Community Engagement Can Transform EducationStronger family, school, and community partnerships help ensure that relational trust is at the foundation of schools, and that all the actors can work together toward a shared vision of education in their communities. This shared vision of education is critical to education systems transformation. This report is the result of the participation of hundreds of students, families, school educators, and researchers who dedicated their time and energy to investigating the critical role that families and communities play in ensuring students and schools can flourish. |
Upcoming Events
Apps to Support Independent Living (by the PACER Center)
For young adults, gaining independence can be both exciting and challenging. This workshop will demonstrate tools that can be used to help young adults with time management, completing tasks, keeping track of money, developing social skills, and living a healthy lifestyle.
When: August 27, 2024
Time: 3:00 PM EST
Smart Beginnings 2024
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) will be hosting the Smart Beginnings 2024 webinar series August 27 – 29, 2024. The webinars will provide participants with the opportunity to learn about resources for supporting children with disabilities as we head into a new learning year.
Dates and Audience:
- Tuesday, August 27, 2024: Educators & Administrators
- Wednesday, August 28, 2024: Parents & Families
- Thursday, August 29, 2024: Early Childhood
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 pm EST each day
Beyond the Hype: What Research Tells Us About Social Media’s Role in Youth Mental Health
The U.S. Surgeon General recently issued a call for warning labels on social media because of its potential impact on youth mental health. Join the Child Mind Institute as they convene a panel of leading experts to explain what scientific research says about the complex role of social media in youth mental health — and how to use this information in the real world.
When: Tuesday, August 20 at
Time: 3:00pm–4:00pm EST
Save the Date for STEMIEFest 2024!
Organized by the ED-funded STEM Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education, STEMIEFest is a gathering of families, early childhood and early childhood special education professionals, faculty, and more, to engage young children with and without disabilities in innovative STEM learning experiences every day and everywhere.
When: Monday, October 14th through Tuesday, October 15th
Time: 12-4 p.m. EST.
Looking for more events? Check out
the Hub Central Event Calendar
This e-Newsletter from the CPIR is copyright-free. We encourage you to share it with others. Scan our QR Code to sign up to receive the Buzz from the Hub!
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.
