Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG)

If you have any questions or concerns please contact:

Janice Perlin                                 Jonathan Bedi
Parent Liaison                                 Transition Coordinator (Ext. 6807)
whrhssepag@gmail.com                 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:

• March 13, 2019, 7:00 PM, Governor Livingston High School IMC (library), 175 Watchung Blvd., Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922.

  *Guardianship and Supported Decision Making: Just the Basics Presentation led by Jerisa Chiumbu-Maseko, Director, The Arc of NJ, Planning for Adult Life Guardianship can be a valuable tool which 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: Steve Siebelts, Social Worker, Berkeley Heights Public Schools, (908)464-3100 ext. 2413

• April 25, 2019, 6:30pm, Kean University, Nathan Weiss Graduate College, 215 North Avenue, Hillside, NJ OT Clinic, Suite 161

  *College Options for Students with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities

  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 Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities .

  RSVP: OT Clinic, (908) 737-5940, otclinic@kean.edu, parking is available in the rear of the building.

Past Events:

• February 6, 2019, 7 pm, Watchung Hills Reg. High School Media Center 

  Housing 101: Adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities can live in a variety of places in the community. It’s important to determine the level of support needed by the person with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities when exploring the housing options available in your community. One size does not fit all, so it’s never too early to get started on understanding the different housing options. This workshop will give an overview of the housing options available to people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and what to keep in mind when identifying the best fit for that person.

•     RSVP: Jon Bedi, Transition Coordinator, Watchung Hills Reg. High School,                        (908)647-4800 x6807 or jbedi@whrhs.org

• March 13, 2019, 7:00 PM, Governor Livingston

• October 17th @ 7 pm - (Location: Media Center) Please join a panel of financial advisors and attorneys to learn the importance of planning for your special needs family members.  We will discuss the steps needed to help insure their financial future, including structuring a financial plan and the role that insurance may play in estate planning, special needs trusts, and family law issues.
• October 24, 2018, 6:00-7:00 pm, Union High School, 2350 North Third Street, Union, NJ 07083                                                                                            *Accessing Services and ‘Natural Supports’ Presentation led by Gretchen Alonso, Transition Navigator, The Arc of NJ 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.

• January 17, 2019, 7:00-8:00 pm, Hosted by Linden Public Schools, Held at the Academy of Excellence (formally known as St. Elizabeth), 170 Hussa Street, Linden, NJ 07036

  *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 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 (Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities) from the current health care system. PLEASE NOTE: Medicaid is needed in order to receive any adult services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) after graduation from high school.

  RSVP: Nikki Livingston, Academy of Excellence/Linden Public Schools, (908) 587-3285, ext. 8650, alivingston@lindenps.org