Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG)
If you have any questions or concerns please contact:
Amita Sawicki
Parent Liaison (Ext. 2819)
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"
In Case You Missed It - Click the link below to access the "Transition to the High School SEPAG Meeting Slide Presentation"
/uploaded/Special_Services/Transition_SEPAG_Mtg._May_2022.pdf
What to Look Forward to this Month
JANUARY 2023
WYBA is happy to offer a basketball program for players with special needs (Buddy Ball). It is offered to all players from Kindergarten through 12th grade.
When: Friday evenings 6:00 – 7:30 pm from January 6th through February 24th
Where: Warren Mt. Horeb School
All players must register using the following link: https://www.leagueathletics.com/Registration/Restrictions.asp?RegID=324668&org=warrenyouthbasketball.org
Any questions, please email: warrenyoutbasketball@gmail.com and ask for Ray.
Click Here For More Information: /uploaded/Buddy_Ball_Basketball_2023.pdf
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Planning For Adult Life: Free Online Webinars
State Services for Students with I/DD
Date: Tuesday, January 10, 2023 Time: 6:00-7:00 pm
State Services for Students with I/DD
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 young adults transition from children's services to adult services when they turn 21.
Click on the following link to register: https://planningforadultlife.org/calendar/event/2023/01/10/state-services-for-students-with-i-dd/407604
**Zoom link will be emailed
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Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2023 Time: 10:00-11:00 am
How Series: Accessing Services and Natural Resources
Accessing Services And 'Natural Supports'
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 support for accessing the
community and will provide hands—on tools for helping students to obtain natural supports in the
community. It will also include a discussion on how to navigate some of the challenges associated
with accessing services.
Click on the following link to register: https://planningforadultlife.org/calendar/event/2023/01/18/-how-series-accessing-services-and-natural-supports-/403465
**Zoom link will be emailed
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Date: Tuesday, January 19, 2023 Time: 7:30-8:30 pm
How Series: Accessing Services and Natural Resources
Accessing Services And 'Natural Supports'
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 support for accessing the
community and will provide hands—on tools for helping students to obtain natural supports in the
community. It will also include a discussion on how to navigate some of the challenges associated
with accessing services.
Click on the following link to register: https://planningforadultlife.org/calendar/event/2023/01/19/-how-series-accessing-services-and-natural-supports-/401741
**Zoom link will be emailed
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Transition Coordinators' Network of South Jersey - Virtual Winter Lunch & Learn
"Transition from School to Adult Life: Regulations and Best Practices"
The Transition Coordinators' Network of South Jersey (TCN-SJ) is an opportunity for educators, people with disabilities, transition specialists, direct support providers, agencies and others involved with transition-aged students. Our goal is to share expertise and create a forum for collaboration and communication among key stakeholders who help students identify their interests, strengths, and preferences.
Date: Thursday, January 19th, 2023
Time: 11:00 am - 1:30 pm
Click on the link to Register: https://rutgers.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0uf-2hrj4vE9wiDAXg5-6YGyvSm8a_tHFB
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Real Transition Partners - Understanding Alternatives to Guardianship
Date: January 26, 2023
Time: 11:00 am-12:30 pm
Click on the following link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/real-transition-partners-understanding-alternatives-to-guardianship-registration-487819038877
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Shared from Community Living Education Project (CLEP)
Don't Get Lost in Transition: A Self-Advocacy and Transition Planning Webinar
Date: Thursday, January 26th 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Presented By: Dani Evans, M.A., CCC-SLP
Senior Speech-Language Pathologist, The Ivymount School
Kate Smidl, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech Language Pathologist III, Kennedy Krieger Institute
Transitions to new learning or residential environments, and/or working with new support staff represent both opportunities and challenges. Important information about an individuals’ support strategies is often lost during key transitions. During transition, it is important that individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities be able to self-advocate and share information about their unique profile of strengths, needs, and interests. Research consistently shows that academic, social, and vocational outcomes for individuals with disabilities are superior for those with greater self-advocacy skills. In this session, you will learn how to use This is Me, an electronic self-advocacy tool that supports individuals of all abilities, during transitions.
A "This is Me" story is a customized, electronic self-advocacy tool that supports an individual, their caregivers, and support team in sharing information about their communication, self-advocacy, executive function, behavior, medical information, and/or personal preferences. The story also highlights each individual’s unique strengths using picture and video examples.
In addition to explaining what a This is Me story is, and how it benefits individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities, this session will provide examples of valuable information to be included in an advocacy story, as well as how stories are able to be generalized across a variety of populations, settings, and audiences. Presenters will share their personal experiences collaborating with individuals and their families in the following programs: non-public special education school and an intensive inpatient treatment program for children and young adults with severe behavioral disorders and developmental disabilities. Presenters will share assorted materials for use when creating a This is Me story, as well as examples of completed stories.
Link to register: https://rutgers.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_88b33QCMTGylBkR_T3JU7w
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Transition Planning with Assistive Technology
Presented by: Adam Krass
Date: January 31, 2023 Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
Planning for transition to life after high school should definitely include assistive technology, but it is often left out of the conversation. This webinar looks at specific planning activities and how assistive technology can be included.
Link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/transition-planning-with-assistive-technology-registration-493863849067
For more information, contact Tammi Kaminski at tkaminski@spanadvocacy.org
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Community Based Instruction (CBI) Training with the Boggs Center - Rutgers University
This is an interactive webinar session intended for families of students with disabilities who are interested in learning about the basics of Community-Based Instruction (CBI). Topics include an overview of the evidence-based instructional practice, benefits to students participating in CBI, helpful talking points to discuss CBI opportunities during IEP meetings, and the significance of family partnerships in creating quality and meaningful CBI practices. Participants are encouraged engage in open discussions with the CBI Project team throughout the session.
Certificates: Certificates of Attendance with title and duration of NJ Department of Education Professional Development Hours will be provided.
Fee information: The CBI project is funded by The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B. Therefore, there is no cost to family members or caregivers to participate and receive professional development credit.
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Dates |
Duration |
Time |
Location |
Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
December 15, 2022 |
1.5 hrs |
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM |
Zoom |
|
|
February 23, 2023 |
1.5 hrs |
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM |
Zoom |
Save the Date! |
Click here to learn more on the Boggs Center website: https://boggscenter.rwjms.rutgers.edu/training-and-consultation/community-based-instruction/cbi-training
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NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD):
- provides a platform for individuals, family members, advocates, and public/private agencies to develop a coordinated social policy for advancing the rights and opportunities of NJ residents with developmental disabilities.
- offers Family Support Councils, Youth Leadership programs, and Partners in Policymaking program, website for more information: https://njcdd.org/
- Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities:
- provides community & student training, technical assistance, conducts research, and disseminates information and educational materials regarding developmental disabilities. Website: https://www.rwjms.rutgers.edu/
boggscenter/ - offers trainings for DCF/DDD providers, individuals with developmental disabilities & their families, link to trainings: https://www.rwjms.rutgers.edu/
boggscenter/training/overview. html
- provides community & student training, technical assistance, conducts research, and disseminates information and educational materials regarding developmental disabilities. Website: https://www.rwjms.rutgers.edu/