Issue 10 • • May 2005pluk.org/MU/MU_May05.pdf · basics, Preparing for IEPs, etc.),...
Transcript of Issue 10 • • May 2005pluk.org/MU/MU_May05.pdf · basics, Preparing for IEPs, etc.),...
May 2005
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Issue 10 • • www.pluk.org
Extended Workshops Popular By Dennis Moore, Executive Director
Parents, Let’s Unite for Kids (PLUK) continues to move for-
ward with providing a variety of services for parents through-
out Montana. This month marks the one-year anniversary
of PLUK’s day-long Extended Workshops (EWS). We’ve now
held fifteen workshops throughout the state and have been
extremely pleased with both the participants’ interest and
the success of the sessions. Some of the most recent ses-
sions have included: a workshop on bullying in Miles City (Dr.
Marlene Snyder of Whitefish offered this session); Stephanie
Luehr, a PLUK staff member presented workshops on ADHD in
both Bozeman and Kalispell; and Doug Cochran-Roberts of
Missoula provided a session in Kalispell on “Staying Cool.” We
still have several extended workshops scheduled for the remainder of the season and PLUK will
be offering, for the first time, some EWS to additional sites via video conference. See inside for
details and registration form.
The EWS are a wonderful way to provide high quality training on a variety of topics of interest
for parents of kids with disabilities, and for school and agency personnel as well. We have a full
slate of sessions on the burner for planning for the fall, and we welcome any suggestions for
new topics and/or speakers.
The EWS do not replace other
forms of training and PLUK
continues to do all the basic
formats: video conferenc-
ing, face-to-face training forDr MarleneDr Marlene SSnyder parents (on Special Education presentedpresented on “Bullyingon “Bullying basics, Preparing for IEPs, etc.),
Prevention”Prevention” telephone conference and at Miles Cityat Miles City other formats. The EWS give usCommunityCommunity College in AprilCollege in April an opportunity to provide in-
depth training on hot button
topics. PLUK continues to pro-
vide that one-on-one contact
for parents as well.
Something else that we
have started, or at least a revamped, recently is PLUK’s Parent-to-Parent component. We have
changed both our training format and how the volunteers will be involved in the program.
We are holding regional training sessions for volunteers. Anyone who is interested in helping
should call PLUK’s office and express interest in the Parent-to-Parent component. ���
Contents 2 Pluk the Chicken Caught
at Events in Billings 2 Softball Tournaments
Planned for Summer 3 Upcoming PLUK Training
Events 4 Universal PLUK Training
Registration Form 5 Montana Training and
Events Calendar 6 Training and Events
Outside Montana 7 In the News 11 Ideas and Answers 12 Kids at Heart Gala Set 12 Concert Celebrates and
Supports
2 Monthly Update May 2005 www.PLUK.org
Monthly UpdateMedia Director: Roger Holt
Story Editor: Elisabeth Mills,
Emerald Scribe, http://www.emeraldscribe.com
Design & Layout: Rosanna
Buehl, QBMM Publishing,
http://www.qbmm.comCirculation: 7,500
This is a publication of Par-
ents, Let’s Unite for Kids (PLUK),
a private, nonprofit Montana
organization founded in 1984 by
a group of parents of children
with special needs. Monthly
Update is available in alternative
formats by request.
Principal Office
Parents, Let’s Unite for Kids
516 N 32nd St
Billings MT 59101-6003800-222-7585 (toll free in Mont.)406-255-0540 (voice, TT)406-255-0523 (FAX)
[email protected]://www.pluk.org
Pluk the Chicken Caught at Events in Billings
Yes, PLUK’s mascot — Pluk the Chicken — contin-ues to be seen at hockey games, events and parades around town. Pluk has shown wonderful interaction with children at Billings Bulls Hockey Games and other events. Yes, it’s true, Pluk recently won another dance contest at a hockey game. He ran down the aisles of the Metra and danced with kids. Yes, it’s true, Pluk sparred with Boris the Bull and was followed around by the Pizza Guy. It’s rumored, but not veri-fied, that Pluk may be visiting other events and offices around Billings, and possibly coming to other areas of the state. When asked about PLUK the Chicken’s mis-behavior, Dennis Moore, PLUK Executive Director, commented, “Pluk the Chicken is often totally out of control. We’ve tried, but we just cannot seem to find the magical solution.” ���
Softball Tournaments Planned for SummerAt least three Associate Boards (Billings, Miles City and Kalispell (Flathead Valley), so far) are
planning softball tournaments for the summer. The tournaments will be made up of teams mostly from companies in the regions, and everyone is excited about holding the events.
Be warned: these tournaments are not the normal type of sporting event. Last year the Bill-ings group held the first “Fixed and Finagled” Softball Tourna-ment. The “fixed” part comes from bonus cards that are issued depending on the amount of funds the team donated to PLUK. It is rumored that these cards, widely used by teams at the event, were also available for purchase. The bonus cards includ-ed cards for “extra strikes,” “extra outs,” “extra runs,” and more.
The event was a great success and fun for the teams. The 2004 Tournament winner was ExxonMobil Refinery and the Montana-Dakota Utilities team came in second. Other teams included KULR 8 TV, Farmers Insurance, the Billings Gazette, KTVQ 2 TV, US Bank, and representatives from the Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office, and Max Baucus’ Office. For more information on the Tournament in your area, call PLUK’s office at 406-255-0540 or 800-222-7585. ���
Pluk the chicken and friends
Everyone plays at PLUK softball tournaments!
Monthly Update May 2005 www.PLUK.org 3
Upcoming PLUK Training EventsFor the most current information, visit http://www.pluk.org/training.
Our Featured Event
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Teleconference
May 17, 2005, 9:00 AM – noon
Where: Great Falls, VisionNet classroom,
1309 NW Bypass
Video Conference Sites: Lame Deer, Indi-
an Health Service; Billings, Mansfield Center:
Burns East. Additional sites may be added by
contacting the PLUK office.
Presenters: Jill Plumage, Fort Belknap
Reservation FAS Coordinator and other
speakers to be announced. Jill counsels
women about the dangers of drinking while
pregnant, using her own life story as an ex-
ample. She works with a grant from the Uni-
versity of New Mexico to study the problem
of FAS on the Fort Belknap reservation.
Visit http://www.pluk.org/training/
FAS.htm for detailed information and on-
line registration. ���
More EventsMay 19, 2005 • Financial Planning for Families
Teleconference with Bruce Larson, Jason Harkins, and a parent panel, teleconference from the Mansfield Center in Billings, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM Professionals in the field of financial plan-ning will present information on wills and trusts, guardianship, Special Needs trusts, and issues surrounding financial security for families of children with special needs. The parent panel will discuss real world issues and their experience in financial planning. Visit http://www.pluk.org/training/Fi-nancial.htm for detailed information and online registration. Video conference sites: Contact the PLUK of-fice for information.
June 2, 2005 • Financial Planning for Families Teleconference with Nancy Gibson, Chris Siegler, and a parent panel, a teleconference from Ruby’s Convention Center in Missoula 10:00 AM–4:00 PM Visit http://www.pluk.org/training/Fi-nancial.htm for detailed information and online registration. Video conference site: Saint James Hospital in Butte
June 16, 2005 • Special Educa-tion in Montana Telecon-ference with Kathy Manley Coburn, teleconference from the Mansfield Center in Billings 9:00 AM–4:00 PM. This one-day workshop on Special Education in Mon-tana covers key topics and cases under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504. Visit http://www.pluk.org/training/SPEDlaw.htm for detailed information and online registration. Video conference sites: Contact the PLUK of-fice for information. ���
Above: Jill Plumage and “babies”
Inset: Missoula attorney and teacher, Kathy Manley Coburn.
4 Monthly Update May 2005 www.PLUK.org
Universal PLUK Training Registration FormVisit http://www.pluk.org/training for detailed information and for online registration.
Training Opportunities
May 17: Teleconference, “Fetal Alcohol Syndrome” 9 AM–noon
Billings, Mansfield Center, Burns East (video conference site)
Great Falls, VisionNet classroom, 1309 NW Bypass
Lame Deer, IHS (video conference site)
May 19: Teleconference, “Financial Planning for Families” 10 AM–4 PM
Billings, Mansfield Center
June 2: Teleconference, “Financial Planning for Families” 10 AM–4 PM
Butte, St. James Hospital (video conference site)
Missoula, Ruby’s Convention Center
June 16: Teleconference, “Special Education in Montana” 10 AM–4 PM
Billings, Mansfield Center
Tuition
$50 for May 17 half-day registration
$99 for single registration
$75 each for two or more registrants
$50 special rate for full-time students
Please consider me for one of the limited number of parent scholarships. (Must be a parent.)
Role Parent Educator Professional Other
Organization ________________________________________________________________
Name ______________________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________
City _________________________________ State _________ Zip Code _______________
Telephone ___________________________ E-mail ________________________________
Special Accommodations _____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Total amount due: $ _________
Check [Payable to PLUK; send to: 516 N 32nd St, Billings MT 59101-6003]
Credit Card [Payable by telephone; call the PLUK Office at 406-255-0540 or 800-222-7585]
Purchase Order
FAX registration to 406-255-0523
General Comments or Questions for Presenters:
Send registration to PLUK, 516 N 32nd St, Billings MT 59101
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Montana Training and Events Calendar The following is a listing of training activities and events happening around Montana. Par-
ents who need financial assistance in order to attend trainings may apply for parent training grants through the PLUK office. For the most up-to-date calendar of training, visit the online calendar at http://www.pluk.org/Calendar.htm.
Getting Students Past the “Gatekeeper”
Courses in Math—Creating Success in Pre-
Algebra and Algebra, May 5, Missoula
Effective instruction, especially at the
middle school level, is a critical component
for laying the foundation for higher-level
mathematics. This one-day workshop focuses
on the “big picture” concepts and those top-
ics necessary for algebra success. By tackling
the important topics and modeling the “big
picture” concepts for students, teachers and
students can “tear down” these roadblocks to
algebra success.
To register, or for further information, please
go to http://www.cspd.net. ���
Self-Employment Part 2, May 6,
Teleconference via METNET in Billings, Glendive,
Glasgow, Lewistown, Miles City, & Missoula
Topics covered include assessing business
feasibility and developing business plans.
1:00–4:00 PM.
For information, contact Kim Brown, Transi-
tion Project Coordinator, at 406-243-4852 or
A Family Learning Weekend for the Visually
Impaired, June 10–12, Great Falls
This free three-day weekend in Great
Falls, hosted by the Montana School for the
Deaf and the Blind and located on the MSDB
campus, is designed specifically for families
with children who are visually impaired. This
weekend is packed with ideas. A nationally
renowned keynote speaker, Judith Lesner
from the National Association of Parents of
the Visually Impaired (NAPVI), will be speaking
to families about the importance of parent
advocacy. She will present with her son, Jacob
Lesner-Buxton, who will be addressing the
current issues in the education of the blind.
Both Judith and Jacob will be working with
our parents to design a Montana chapter of
NAPVI. For more information, please contact
MSDB at 800-882-6732 or Barb Rolf, Outreach
Vision Consultant at 406-251-5674. ���
MASP Summer Institute, June 12-14, Billings
Jack M. Fletcher, PhD (Professor in Depart-
ment of Pediatrics at the University of Texas
Health Sciences Center—Houston and Associ-
ate Director for the Center for Academic and
Reading Skills (CARS)), will present “Neuropsy-
chology of Developmental Disorders.” Explore
the origins of brain dysfunction, review the
behavior systems model, discover the current
concepts behind the behavior-brain relation-
ship, and investigate learning disabilities iden-
tification, intervention, and research.
The Institute will be held from Sunday eve-
ning, June 12, through Tuesday afternoon,
June 14, at the Mansfield Health Education
Center in Billings. Continuing Education Units
(CEU) are available for educators and others.
Fees vary ($110-$145).
Download the MASP Summer Institute bro-
chure at http://www.pluk.org/MASP_Sum-Inst_2005.pdf. ��
Power Mobility Camp, June 13-17, Billings
Located at the MSU-Billings campus, the pur-
pose of the camp is to allow any individual an
opportunity to try power mobility. Several ses-
sions are encouraged for evaluation. For more
information, please call Mary O’Connell, PT, ATP
at 800-732-0323 or 406-243-5688. People of all
ages, with any disability, are welcome. ���
Natural History Camp for Students with Visual
Impairments, June 20-23, Bitterroot Valley
The Montana Conservation Science Institute
is sponsoring a Natural History Camp for Stu-
dents with Visual Impairments. To learn more
about this exciting opportunity, go to http://
www.msdb.mt.gov/summer_programs. htm, scroll down, and click on “2005 Summer
Program Schedule, Camp Eureka.” ���
Monthly Update May 2005 www.PLUK.org 5
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Training and Events Calendar: Outside Montana The following is a listing of upcoming training activities and events taking place around the
country. For a complete listing, see http://www.pluk.org/Calendar.htm.
Disability Law Resource Project Webcast:
IDEA 2004, May 18, Internet
IDEA 2004 becomes effective July 1, 2005. In
this Webcast, Troy R. Justesen, Acting Deputy
Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special
Education and Rehabilitative Services (OS-
ERS) in the U.S. Department of Education will
provide an update on the development of the
implementing regulations for IDEA 2004. He
will outline the next steps in the process as
well as opportunities for the public to provide
comment. He will address some key issues
raised during the comment period to help us
understand some key changes introduced in
this latest version of IDEA as well as what those
changes may mean for students, parents, and
schools. Please submit questions for the pre-
senter ahead of time to [email protected].
To link to this Webcast and download ac-
companying materials visit: http://www.ilru. org/online/calendar.html.
For instructions on how to access a Webcast
visit: http://www.ilru.org/online/instruc-tions.html.
Please visit this site ahead of time to test
and ensure your computer is configured and
updated to participate in the Webcast.
For technical assistance, please check out
our FAQs (frequently asked questions) at:
http://www.ilru.org/online/FAQ.html or contact a Web cast team member at
[email protected] or 713-520-0232 (v/tty). �
Building Brighter Futures for People
with Developmental and Learning
Disabilities, May 9-13, New York City
Dive into one of the largest conferences of
its kind at the 26th annual YAI/National Insti-
tute for People with Disabilities Network inter-
national conference. This event features more
than 120 sessions and 2 full-day post confer-
ence workshops.
Cost: Varies $195-$545
Visit http://www.yai.org for conference de-
tails, including a full agenda, & to register. ���
Autism One Conference, May 26-29, Chicago
As always, Autism One 2005 features four
major tracks to help parents and profession-
als make the most informed choices and
decisions: Biomedical Treatments; Behavior/
Communication/Education Therapies; Com-
plementary/Alternative Treatments; Govern-
ment/Legal/Personal Issues. Each track offers
three days of presentations focusing on par-
ticular treatments, research, or issues of that
field. All presentations are open on a walk-in
basis—one registration covers them all.
Learn about the most effective treatments
and therapies, how to obtain services, and
how to deal effectively with schools. Learn
what to expect in future for the fields of medi-
cine, education, government, and law.
Register securely online at https://www. exporeg.com/autismone. ���
2005 National Association for Rural Mental Health
(NARMH) Annual Conference, August 4-6, Honolulu
With more than 60 sessions planned, this
year’s conference stretches beyond the cus-
tomary and traditional mental health program
areas, extending explicitly into the areas of
dual diagnosis and forensic mental health
services, with an emphasis on culturally based
deliveries of care. Conference organizers hope
to create greater dialogue among participants
from the many sectors that touch people in
need of mental health and substance abuse
care and treatment, and to aide in dissolv-
ing some of the barriers to collaboration and
integrated service development and delivery.
NARMH is seeking proposals for presentations
that offer a wide spectrum of effective ap-
proaches addressing mental illness and/or
substance abuse concerns. Proposals for pre-
sentations should indicate one of the planned
specific conference tracks.
Conference information is available at:
http://www.narmh.org or by calling 320-
202-1820. The conference brochure will be
available in May. ���
6 Monthly Update May 2005 www.PLUK.org
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In the News
Resource for Psychological Services in Missoula One resource for low income children who
are not eligible for CHIPS or Medicaid is the Clinical Psychology Center.
The CPC is operated by the Department of Psychology at The University of Montana and provides confidential assessment and psycho-therapeutic services for children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. The CPC is a free-standing clinic, staffed by graduate students, that serves as the primary location for clinical training. All services are provided under the direct supervision of licensed clinical psy-chologists. The Clinic facilities include private counseling rooms, observation rooms, group therapy rooms, and seminar rooms.
Visit http://www2.umt.edu/psych/clini-cal/cpc.html for more information. ��
National Autism Association’s Helping Hand Program Provides One-Time Grants
NAA’s Helping Hand Program is now award-ing a grant of up to $1,500 to families in need of financial assistance in getting biomedical treatments, supplements, therapies, basic liv-ing expenses, etc. for their child with autism. Priority is given to single parents.
For more information, please visit http://
www.nationalautismassociation.org/help-inghand.php. (Courtesy of NAA) ���
IDEA Public Meetings John H. Hager, assistant secretary of the Of-
fice of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), U.S. Department of Educa-tion, announces a series of public meetings to receive comments on proposed rules to implement programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. o Monday, June 6, 2005, San Antonio, TX
o Friday, June 17, 2005, Nashville, TN
o Wednesday, June 22, 2005, Sacramento, CA
o Friday, June 24, 2005, Las Vegas, NV
o Monday, June 27, 2005, New York, NY
o Wednesday, June 29, 2005, Chicago, IL
o Tuesday, July 12, 2005, Washington, DC
The Sibling Slam Book: What It is Really Like to Have a Brother or Sister with Special Needs!
Over two years in the making, The Slam
Book was a labor of love. It features the can-
did, funny, and insightful observations of 80
teen sibs of kids who have wide range of spe-
cial developmental and health needs from five
countries. The book also features an introduc-
tion by David Gallagher, star of WB’s Seventh
Heaven, brother to a young man who has
autism, and CAN Youth Ambassador.
To learn more about the book, please visit
http://www.woodbinehouse.com/main. asp_Q_product_id_E_1-890627-52-6. ��
The Medicated Child
About 13 million children in kindergarten
through 12th grade take medication in any
two-week time period, according to a study
by Ann Marie McCarthy, an associate professor
at the University of Iowa—and the number of
children who take medication at school con-
tinues to grow. At the same time, the number
of school nurses is falling.
For more information, go to http://
www.asbj.com/specialreports/
0305SpecialReports/S1.html. (From Health
Care Transition for Youth Digest) ���
SAMHSA Family Guide Web Site
The Family Guide Web site ( http://family. samhsa.gov ) offers ideas and support for
adults who interact with youth to promote
mental health and prevent substance abuse.
SAMHSA developed “A Family Guide To Keep-
ing Youth Mentally Healthy & Drug Free” to
support adults/parents, family members, care-
givers, teachers, and other youth mentors in
their efforts to help children aged 7 to 18 make
good decisions, feel safe and protected, and
have successful lives. The ultimate goal is to
promote youth mental health and discourage
youth drug use. (Courtesy of Monday Morning
in Washington, DC) ���
Monthly Update May 2005 www.PLUK.org 7
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Introducing Max and Friends, Skill-building Program for Children with Autism
Max and Friends: Volume 1 is a multimedia skill-building program for children with au-tism and related disabilities. The innovative package uses a children’s television program (on DVD), storybooks and music to present proven therapy-based exercises in a fun, simple format for children with special learn-ing needs.
“Max and Friends is a wonderful product. So many videos and children’s programs go by at breakneck speed. Max has a wonderful pace for all children, especially those with ASD, for whom the slower learning pace is es-sential,” said Diane Twachtman-Cullen, PHD, CCC-SLP, Editor-in-Chief, Autism Spectrum Quarterly. Developed by a team of autism therapists and children’s media profession-als, Max and Friends can be used to help children with special learning needs develop core skills, but is fun and entertaining for children of all developmental levels. Max and Friends is organized into volumes of related skills. Volume 1 focuses on imitation, com-mands, and matching. Each skill is the focus of a DVD and an accompanying storybook. The package also includes an instructive manual designed to train parents in teach-ing, maintaining and generalizing the skills as well as a CD of eighteen children’s songs. To order, visit http://www.launchintolearning. org or call 800-559-9751. ��
Overboard—New Software for Communication Symbols
Overboard, the alternative to Boardmaker, is available now. Overboard is a communica-tion board design package containing over 5,500 high-resolution communication symbols Create professional looking communication displays in minutes. Quickly search over 55,000 words in the keyword library and instantly re-trieve the respective communication symbols.
Age appropriate for children, teenagers and adults. No stick men. Re-size symbols and pic-tures to fit any page size.
Print your work or save it to disk, flash drive, or floppy disk. Print displays in black & white or color (requires a color printer). Copy and paste symbols to or from Boardmaker. Make
worksheets, symbol instruction sheets, books, journals, or calendars. Paste in digital photo-graphs or any of Microsoft 130,000 clip art im-ages and symbols.
Download a free trial copy! You may download Overboard and evalu-
ate the full version at no charge by going to http://www.gusinc.com/Overboard/index. html (63 MB — 5 minute download with a cable or DSL connection). ���
Math Learning Disabilities Kate Garnett, PH.D., Division for Learning
Disabilities Journal of CEC. November 1998 While children
with disorders in mathematics are specifically includ-ed under the defi-nition of Learning Disabilities (Federal Register, August 23, 1977), seldom do math learning dif-ficulties cause chil-dren to be referred for evaluation. In many school systems, special education services
are provided almost exclusively on the basis of children’s reading disabilities (Badian, 1983). Even after being identified as learning dis-abled (LD), few children are provided substan-tive assessment and remediation of their arith-metic difficulties (Goodstein & Kahn, 1974).
Read the complete article at: http://www. ldonline.org/article.php?max=20&id=974
&loc=70. �
Free Web Hosting for US Public Schools Lunarpages, a provider of web hosting ser-
vices and support, today announced it will of-fer free web hosting to all K-12 public schools in the U.S., effective immediately.
“Educating our youth is extremely impor-tant and donating web space to schools is a small contribution that could potentially make a big impact on students, teachers and par-ents across the country,” said Ron Riddle, CEO
and co-founder of Lunarpages. “We welcome
8 Monthly Update May 2005 www.PLUK.org
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any district administrator, school principal or
classroom teacher to participate in this unique
program.”
Schools and districts can take advantage of
this program to create Web sites that serve a
variety of purposes, including:
• Increasing visibility for the school within its
own community and beyond
• Facilitating communication between teach-
ers and parents
• Sharing information between schools with-
in a district or classrooms within a school
• Providing valuable information about daily
schedules and events
• Serving as a bulletin board for homework
assignments and class projects
As part of the program, Lunarpages will pro-
vide 1000 MB storage, unlimited E-mail address-
es, 40 GB data transfer, and unlimited phone
and E-mail support for each new account.
There is no restriction on the use of the
account opened in conjunction with this
program, provided it is opened by a school
official and is used for educational purposes.
Private schools, colleges, churches, day-care
centers and schools outside of the United
States are not eligible to participate. (Dateline:
La Habra, California—January 18, 2005) ��
Rubella Eliminated from United States, CDC Says
Rubella, a virus that once caused tens of
thousands of birth defects and deaths in a
single outbreak, has been eliminated from the
United States, health officials said Monday.
But Americans still must vaccinate their
children, and women who might get pregnant
must still ensure they are immune because
the disease exists elsewhere, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention said.
“A disease that once seriously harmed tens
of thousands of infants is no longer a major
health threat, thanks to a safe and effective
vaccine and successful immunization pro-
grams across the country,” CDC Director Dr.
Julie Gerberding told a Washington, DC news
conference.
Read the complete article at: http://www. reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healt hNews&storyID=7962919&src=rss/health-News. ���
Read the Newspaper over the phone with NFB-NEWSLINE®
Would you like a newspaper with your
morning cup of coffee? In 2004, NFB-NEWSLINE®
added its 140th newspaper in 2004 along with
its first two magazines, and it’s still growing.
The service handles thousands of phone calls
each day for individuals across the country
who can now access daily newspapers and
magazines as never before. The toll-free cen-
tralized call-in center provides service without
delay to any subscriber. This also enables
those who cannot read conventional print to
have access to all of NFB-NEWSLINE® when trav-
eling throughout the United States.
Visit http://www.nfb.org/newsline1.htm
for more information. ���
i-SAFE Provides Free Curricula on Internet Safety
The United States Congress has designated
i-SAFE America Inc, a non-profit Internet safety
foundation, to bring Internet safety education
and awareness to the youth of this country.
Founded in 1998, i-SAFE is a proactive pre-
vention-oriented Internet safety awareness
program. We provide age-appropriate K-12
curriculum to schools in all 50 states free of
charge.
Visit http://www.isafe.org/ for more infor-
mation. �
Preemie Magazine debuts
SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA - March 17, 2005 - Pree-
mie Magazine, LLC is pleased to announce the
launching of Preemie Magazine, a free print
magazine and online community for parents
of premature infants as well as the profession-
als that care for them.
Preemie Magazine’s print edition provides
parents and professionals with information
across the lifespan of the premature child,
from infancy to the school years. Its online
community allows the audience to connect
with one another through forums, scheduled
live chats with professionals, a large listing of
resources as well as a growing list of support
groups and playgroups. The online com-
munity went live in March 2005 and the print
edition’s first issue is slated for June 2005.
For more information, please visit http://
www.preemiemagazine.com. ���
Monthly Update May 2005 www.PLUK.org 9
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Infants Use Their Hands to “Talk” By Liz Nakazawa, contributor, The Christian Science Monitor
Sign language is attracting a new group of enthusiastic practitioners: parents and their infant children. The appeal of such com-munication has nothing to do with hearing
Read the report at http://www.asbj. com/specialreports/0305SpecialReports/
S3.html. ���
Partners in Employment Self-Study Course “Partners in Employment” is a self-study
course designed to help people with de-velopmental disabilities impairments. find meaningful jobs and Instead, it’s jump-start their careers. about getting in This course has been cre-touch with the ated to provide practical thought process skills needed to find real, of babies who competitive employment. can’t yet speak. Throughout the site, you’ll Jill and Jeff learn how other people Rupert of Port-with disabilities have over-land, Ore, have
learned 25 signs so they can teach them to their hearing baby, Joel. “We’re trying sign language to communi-cate with Joel sooner than we would be able to if we waited for him to talk,” says Jill.
The Ruperts are part of a national move-ment of hearing parents teaching their hear-ing babies and toddlers American Sign Lan-guage (ASL) to help increase communication.
Read the rest of this article at http://www. csmonitor.com/2005/0322/p14s01-legn. html. �
ASBJ Special Report—Depression: Ready or Not, Your Schools Must Face Children’s Mental Health Problems By Kathleen Vail
Twenty-five years ago, people believed it was impossible for children to be depressed. Now, of course, we know that’s not true. In fact, one in every 33 children and one in eight adolescents may be suffering from depres-sion, according to the federal Center for Men-tal Health Services. And while we’re getting better at recognizing depression in children and teens, a majority still are not getting help.
Up to 70 percent of children with diagnos-able mental, emotional, or behavioral disor-ders, are not receiving mental health services, according to the Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health. Within that scope of disorders, depressed children are the least likely to get treatment. But some of the help they are get-ting is coming from their schools.
come common obstacles to find jobs and succeed in the workplace.
“Partners in Employment” is part of the continuing effort to create a new employment culture—one in which willing workers are welcomed and embraced by satisfied employ-ers and a supportive public. The design and development of this e-learning course was financed in part by a grant from the Depart-ment of Health and Human Services, Admin-istration on Developmental Disabilities. Learn more about the course at http://www.part-nersinpolicymaking.com/employment. (From Monday Morning in Washington, DC) ���
Individual Supports to Increase Access to an Inclusive College Experience for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (Online Training Module)
The purpose of this online training mod-ule is to provide guidance on developing an Individual Support Model (ISM) to increase access to inclusive college experiences and to improve chances for the success of students with intellectual disabilities. An ISM approach provides students with individualized services and supports (e.g., educational coach, tu-tor, technology, natural supports) in college courses, certificate programs, internships, or degree programs. This opportunity is offered by the On-Campus Outreach project at the University of Maryland and funded by the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs. Learn more at http://www.education.umd.edu/
oco/training/oco_training_modules/Indi-vidualSupports/start.html. ���
10 Monthly Update May 2005 www.PLUK.org
Ideas and Answers
Q Is ESY just summer school?
A “ESY” stands for “extended school year” and must be considered for every student who
qualifies for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act (IDEA). ESY services are designed to ensure a student maintains skills or behaviors learned
during the school year. They are not designed to assist in acquiring new skills or behaviors.
Extended School Year is not summer school. Summer school is supplementary to the regular
school calendar and curricula. With ESY a child participates because he needs to participate in
order to attain a “free appropriate public education.” The ESY services must be tailored to meet
the child’s individualized needs, as set forth in the child’s IEP.
Eligibility for ESY hinges on whether the student will or would be expected to experience a
substantial regression during the summer months in the absence of a summer program, plus
whether those skills could be recouped within a reasonable period of time after school starts
again in September.
The IEP team determines whether a student is eligible for services. The team should develop
a program that will assist the student in maintaining skills and behaviors in each area they have
determined there is likely to be regression.
The school district does not have to provide a full range of placement options. They must be
appropriate to carry out those portions of the student’s IEP where problems with regression
and recoupment have been identified. This means that placement could be at a park to work
on social skills or at home to maintain physical therapy goals, not necessarily in a classroom.
Planning for ESY services should begin at least several months before the vacation period
starts. Documentation of regression and recoupment should be presented at an IEP meeting to
consider ESY. Services should be written in the IEP if it is agreed upon to provide ESY, or a written
denial should be obtained if the school district refuses.
If you disagree with the school district’s refusal to provide ESY services or with the specifics of
an ESY program, you may request mediation, write a letter of complaint to the Montana Office
of Public Instruction or request a due process hearing before an impartial hearing officer.
For details on ESY in Montana, download the OPI handbook at http://www.pluk.org/Pubs/
MT/MT_ESY_2002_184K.pdf. ���
Q My child’s IEP team recently decided to exit him from Special Education Services, they
A feel he is doing so well that he no longer needs assistance. My fear is that he will not do
well if he is exited. What would you suggest I do?
There is no harm in exiting your child from special education services. Here are some
things for you to consider:
l You can exit him and see how he does, if he does not do well without the services in place,
and then you can call a CST meeting rather quickly review the existing data, and reinstate an
IEP if it is needed.
l You do not have to qualify for special education to receive accommodations and modifica-
tions within the classroom. If the teacher or teachers who work with your son are will to pro-
vide informal accommodations within the classroom, then great. However, I would get them
to write and sign the accommodation list that they have agreed to allow.
l If you disagree with CST team decision that he no longer qualifies for special education
you have the right to dissent the report and ask for an independent educational evalua-
tion (IEE). ���
Monthly Update May 2005 www.PLUK.org 11
PLUK Office516 N 32nd StBillings MT 59101-6003
Non-Profit OrgUS Postage PaidBillings MTPermit No 88
Address service requested
Kids at Heart Gala Set for Second Friday in MayLiz Miller has chaired the Planning Committee of the Kids At Heart Gala for several years and
just can’t seem to get enough. She’s the group’s fearless leader and couldn’t resist planning an event on Friday the 13th in May. “If anything goes wrong, we’ll just blame it on the day!” But,
not only is nothing going wrong, but everything is go-ing right for the event and it should be the “biggest and best yet!” This year’s Gala will be held at the Sher-aton in Billings on the 13th of May and will feature the band, the Mid Life Chryslers. This is a band of Billings’ area doctors who have a strong following and always provide a great performance. The Committee is excited about the Chryslers’ involvement and is looking for-ward to the Gala.
In addition to the band’s performance, the event will include heavy hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, a live auction featuring Bill and Ramona Holt and much more.
For information on sponsorships or tickets, call PLUK’s office at 406-255-0540 or 800-222-7585. Visit the PLUK Web site at http://www.pluk.org for additional information and to preview
some of the items that will be up for auction. ���
Concert Celebrates and SupportsBenefit Concert for PLUK on May 20 in Kalispell
Flathead Valley Associate Board of PLUK presents:Rob Quist and the Great Northern Band with Jack Gladstone in
concert, present their newest collaboration May 20th at 7 PM at the Kalispell Christian Center. Quist and Gladstone, two of the West’s most celebrated entertainers and songwriters, have united in an unforgettable new show, Odyssey West, commemorating Lewis and Clark’s epic journey into the western frontier.
Jack Gladstone and Rob Quist bring the West to life with the rich historical content of their original songs and narratives, presented with dramatic live footage, as well as haunting photographic and ar-tistic images of the Old and New West.
Celebrate our heritage while supporting local children and adults with disabilities. Proceeds benefit Parents, Let’s Unite for Kids and the Special Friends Advocacy. For ticket purchases please call 406-756-6159.
For information on the show, visit: http://www.robquist.com/promopage.htm. ���
The Midlife Chryslers will entertain at the Kids at Heart Gala May 13 in Billings.
Celebrate the Power and the Legend of America’s First Jouney West with Rob Quist and Jack Gladstone in Kalispell