Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG)
If you have any questions or concerns please contact:
Jonathan Bedi
Parent Liaison Transition Coordinator (Ext. 6807)
jbedi@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.
Upcoming Events:
*Planning for Transition: Why it is Vital for your Student’s Future
January 23, 2020, 7:30pm
Millburn Board of Education, 434 Millburn Avenue, Millburn, NJ 07041
The transition planning process is 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 needs for support. Carrying out the transition plan can begin and should be a part of the students’ 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.
RSVP: Roger Askins, Transition Coordinator, (973) 564-7130, ext. 379, roger.askins@millburn.org
*College Options for Students with I/DD
January 28, 2020, 6:30pm
Kean University, East Campus, 215 North Avenue, Room 161
This workshop will provide information about the different opportunities that college could offer your student with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We will suggest steps to add to your students’ IEP that can help them orient him or her in the differences in high school and college and accessing supports offered to students with I/DD.
RSVP: otclinic@kean.edu
Please Note: Participants must register their vehicle for a visitors pass using this website:
https://kean.nupark.com/portal/Account/VisitorLogin?ReturnUrl=%2Fportal
*Guardianship and Supported Decision Making: Just the Basics
February 11, 2020, 6:30pm
Watchung Hills Regional High School, South Auditorium, 108 Stirling Road, Warren, NJ 07059
Guardianship can be a valuable tool that can be used 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.
RSVP: Jonathan Bedi, (908) 647-4800 X6807, jbedi@whrhs.org
State Services for Students with I/DD
March 9, 2020, 6:30pm
Union High School Library, 2350 North Third Street, Union, NJ 07083
New Jersey programs provide many supports and services including family support, crisis intervention, after school programs, summer camp, and intensive in-home and out-of-home supports, just to name a few. This presentation will provide an overview of what these programs offer, eligibility for services, and how adults transition from the Children’s System of Care to adult services when they turn 21.
RSVP: Sarah McCulloh, Transition Coordinator, (908) 851-4431, smcculloh@twpunionschools.org
PLEASE NOTE: Please enter the UHS library through the entrance on Gruber Street (closest to North Third Street-by the Cannon).
*Accessing Services and ‘Natural Supports’
March 11, 2020, 7pm
Governor Livingston High School IMC (library), 175 Watchung Blvd., Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Everyone has a right to be involved in their community. There are many supports for people with disabilities to help them do just that. This workshop will discuss services for accessing the community and will provide hands-on tools for helping students to obtain natural supports in the community. It will also include conversations on how to navigate some of the challenges associated with accessing services.
RSVP: Steve Siebelts, Social Worker, Berkeley Heights Public Schools, (908) 464-3100 ext. 2413,
ssiebelts@bhpsnj.org
Preparing to Get the Most out of your Student’s High School Experience
April 2, 2020, 6:30pm
Union High School Library, 2350 North Third Street, Union, NJ 07083
As a parent, you want to help your child make choices that are best for his or her needs. This workshop will explore the role your school district will play in the transition process and how you can prepare your child for adult life
RSVP: Sarah McCulloh, Transition Coordinator, (908) 851-4431, smcculloh@twpunionschools.org
PLEASE NOTE: Please enter UHS Library through the entrance on Gruber Street (closest to North Third Street-by the Cannon).
Past Events:
*Preparing To Get the Most Out of Your High School Experience
October 17, 2019, 7pm
Hosted by Linden Public Schools (LPS), Held at the Academy of Excellence (formally known as St. Elizabeth)170 Hussa Street, Linden, NJ 07036
As a parent, you want to help your child make choices that are best for his or her needs. This workshop will explore the role your school district will play in the transition process and how you can prepare your child for adult life.
RSVP: Nikki Livingston, Academy of Excellence/LPS, (908) 587-3285, ext. 8650, alivingston@lindenps.org
*Yes, Your Child Can Work! Working Toward Employment for People With I/DD
November 6, 2019, 6:30pm
Inroads to Opportunities, 301 Cox St. Roselle, NJ 07203
For many people, a job is something that helps define who they are. It gives us a meaningful place to go every day, a way to explore our interests, a means of earning money, and a way to be a part of our community. This workshop will discuss different employment options available to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and hands-on tools for preparing students for employment.
RSVP: Joann Farrell, Transition Counselor, (908) 241-7200 ext. 3038
_______________________________________________________________________
SSI and Medicaid: How to Apply and Why You Need To Do So
October 3, 2019, 7-8pm
Union County Educational Services Commission Central Offices, (UCESC)
45 Cardinal Drive, 2nd Floor, Westfield, NJ 07090
There are many different ways to initiate the Medicaid eligibility process, and 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 Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) from the current health care system.
PLEASE NOTE: Medicaid is required to receive any adult services from the Division of Developmental
Disabilities (DDD) after graduation from high school.
RSVP: Josh Bornstein, Director, (908) 233-9317, Ext. 246, jbornstein@ucesc.org