Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG)

If you have any questions or concerns please contact:

Amita Sawicki, WHRHS Transition Coordinator
Parent Liaison (Ext. 2819)
Available Position asawicki@whrhs.org

Mission Statement:

Our mission is to facilitate collaboration between students, parents, staff, the Board of Education and the community in order to promote inclusion, understanding of, respect for and support of all children with special needs in our community.

Special Education Parent Advisory Groups are required for all school districts in New Jersey. The purpose of these groups is to provide opportunities for parents and community members to offer input to the district on specific issues. New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14-1.2(h) states that:

Each Board of Education shall ensure that a special education parent advisory group is in place in the district to provide input to the district on issues concerning students with disabilities.

Watchung Hills Regional High School has established the Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) as a forum for parents to provide input to the district regarding students with disabilities. We welcome and encourage the participation of all parents.

SEPAG’s goal is to support parents whose children receive special education services, and to advise the district on matters related to special education. SEPAG does this by hosting meetings for parents, sharing information and other relevant issues. SEPAG will meet quarterly while school is in session to discuss these issues. Meetings can consist of presentations from knowledgeable speakers on a variety of topics, or simply be an informal gathering to share ideas, network, and support each other.

SEPAG’s Purpose:

To provide direct input on the policies, programs and practices that impact services and supports for students with disabilities.
To increase the involvement of families of children with special needs.
To advise on issues that affect the education, health and safety of students with special needs.

WHRHS SEPAG Meeting - Parent Input Form - Click Here to Access

Please complete this Google Form if you are interested in providing input for future meetings.

Step 1: Click on the link for the Parent Input Form - It will then bring you to a Google Form.

Step 2: Check that your answers are marked in each item and then click "Submit"

What to Look Forward to this Month

Fall 2023

Hello November

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Click Here to Access the Slide Presentation Notes: /uploaded/Nurturing_Minds_and_Hearts_Parent_Workshop.pdf

Fall SEPAG Meeting Flyer

Please Click Here to Register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGsvYIu4Emj5MGnonCl_tHCa1v69uGnQwLG0XCAiXP-uXiWg/viewform

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Planning For Adult Life: Free Online Webinars

PFAL

Starting transition planning? Get information, learn steps, and ask your questions at our monthly workshops. We host presentations on:

Planning is for Transition: Why It Is Vital For Your Student's Future
SSI and Medicaid for Access to Adult Services
Guardianship and Supported Decision Making: Just the Basics
Accessing Services and 'Natural' Supports
Yes, Your Child Can Work! Exploring Employment Options For People with IDD
Preparing Your Student with IDD To Attend College
College Options For Students with IDD
Preparing to Get The Most Out Of Your Student's High School Experience
State Services for Students with IDD
Housing 101: Exploring Your Options
SOS: Strategies Of Success For Parents of Students with Less Intensive Supports Needs *NEW*

Click on the link to access Planning for Adult Life Calendar for Future Events: https://planningforadultlife.org/calendar/

Visit their event calendar to view various dates and times throughout the year.

Webinar Wednesday Series: What are ABLE accounts and How Can They Help Me Plan For My Child's Future?

Date: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 Time: 6:00-7:00 pm

Have you heard of the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014? Millions of individuals with disabilities and their families depend on a wide variety of public benefits for income, health care, and food and housing assistance. Eligibility for these public benefits (SSI, SNAP, Medicaid) requires meeting a means/resource test that restricts eligibility to individuals with less than $2,000 in liquid resources, such as cash savings, non-ABLE checking and savings accounts, and some retirement funds. Having an ABLE account can allow a person to have more than $2000 and remain eligible for these public benefits. Join us as a Program Representative from the NJ ABLE program to discuss in more detail how you can use this tool to plan for your student's future.

Click Here to Register: https://planningforadultlife.org/calendar/event/2023/11/15/-pfal-webinar-wednesday-series-what-are-able-accounts-and-how-can-the-help-me-plan-for-my-child-s-future-/459104

HOW SERIES: Guardianship And Supported Decision Making: Just The Basics

Date: Thursday, November 16, 2023 Time: 7:30-8:30 pm

Guardianship And Supported Decision Making: Just The Basics
Guardianship can be valuable tool to protect individuals who don’t or no longer possess the ability to make appropriate personal or financial decisions for themselves. This workshop will help parents and caregivers understand the guardianship process, levels of guardianship and alternatives to guardianship.

Click Here to Register: https://planningforadultlife.org/calendar/event/2023/11/16/-how-series-guardianship-and-supported-decision-making-just-the-basics/459961

HOW SERIES: Planning for Transition: Why Is It Vital For Your Student's Future

Date: Monday, November 27, 2023 Time: 7:00-8:00 pm

The transition planning process includes evaluating the student’s skills, abilities, strengths, challenges, and preferences to envision their life after leaving school. Planning involves setting goals for the student to strive toward and identifying the need for supports. Carrying out the transition plan can begin and should be a part of the student’s Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). Students and families must be actively involved in the transition planning process as early as possible and keep it moving forward. This presentation discusses the importance of planning, the steps necessary to plan, and provides hands–on tools to put a plan in place.

Click Here to Register: https://planningforadultlife.org/calendar/event/2023/11/27/how-series-planning-for-transition-why-it-is-vital-for-your-student-s-future/430053

SSI and Medicaid

Date: Wednesday, November 29, 2023 Time: 6:00-7:00 pm

SSI and Medicaid: How To Apply And Why You Need To Do So
There are many different ways to initiate the Medicaid eligibility process and so it is important to make sure you have all of the necessary information. This workshop will help parents and caregivers understand how to access health care services for their loved one with I/DD from the current health care system.

Click Here to Register: https://planningforadultlife.org/calendar/event/2023/11/29/ssi-and-medicaid/455411

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