Register Now for the Minnesota Summit on Bullying Prevention
Attention school professionals! PACER is a co-sponsor of the 2nd Annual Minnesota Summit on Bullying Prevention, presented by the Hazelden Foundation. The summit takes place March 5 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the University of Minnesota McNamara Alumni Center. Register online.
TSA Offers Help Line for Travelers with Disabilities
Travelers with disabilities often encounter difficulties navigating airport security. The new “TSA Cares” help line – (855) 787-2227 – may make your next trip go more smoothly. Launched recently by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the help line is designed to answer questions about screening policies and procedures, and what to expect at the security checkpoint. Call 72 hours ahead of travel so that TSA can coordinate checkpoint support on your behalf.
Save the Date!
Groove with Earth, Wind & Fire May 5 at PACER’s 30th Annual Benefit
Make plans to be there when Earth, Wind & Fire – winners of six Grammy Awards and members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – headline PACER Center’s 30th Annual Benefit. This very special event takes place May 5 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Purchase tickets online or by calling (952) 838-9000.
And the Survey Says… Support PACER Using SurveyMonkey
Helping PACER is now as easy as taking a simple survey. Sign up on SurveyMonkey Contribute to receive surveys from SurveyMonkey customers who need opinions on a variety of topics. You will also have a chance to receive $100 in an instant win game. For every survey taken, SurveyMonkey is donating 50 cents to PACER as a national center.
PACER Wins at the Grammy Awards!
When the Grammy Award for Best Children’s Album was presented Feb. 12 in Los Angeles, one of the winners was PACER Center. The CD “All About Bullies… Big and Small” received music’s highest award, and all proceeds from its sale go to support the mission of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. Producer Steve Pullara gave a ‘shout out’ to PACER from the stage and again to throngs of international reporters on hand for the event. Purchase the CD at allaboutbulliesbigandsmall.com.
New Course Available for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
A new online course, “My Child was Just Identified with an Autism Spectrum Disorder: Now What Do I Do?” is being offered by the Autism Center for Excellence at Virginia Commonwealth University. This self-directed course is divided into learning modules, with one or more videos of an expert in ASD providing helpful information on a specific topic. Learn more.
Parents: Join the Conversation on the PACER ParentsTalk Blog
Do you have a child with a disability? Join the conversation on PACER’s new ParentsTalk blog! PACER’s parent advocates will post a new topic every month and will monitor and participate in the discussion. Join the conversation, share your thoughts, and see what other parents have to say.
Celebrate your child (birth to age 5) on PACER’s new Wall of Champions
PACER’s Early Childhood Family Information and Resources Project has created a “Wall of Champions” on PACER’s Facebook page. Celebrate your young champions by submitting their photos, which will be posted with first names only. You can e-mail photos to Judy Swett, Early Childhood Coordinator, at jswett@pacer.org.
Register Now for 2012 National Early Childhood Inclusion Institute
For the past decade, the Inclusion Institute has been an opportunity for individuals to learn about, and solve problems in, early childhood inclusion. This year’s event will be held May 14-16 in Chapel Hill, N.C. Pre-Institute workshops are available for early registrants but enrollment is limited. Learn more.
PACER Launches New Health E-newsletter
Want the latest on health care topics? Sign up for PACER’s new Family-to-Family Health Information Center e-newsletter. It’s free and offers useful information for families of children with disabilities and special health care needs. Find out about services available to Minnesota families, and learn how PACER’s Family-to-Family Health Information Center can help.
Help Children in Grades 1-3 Learn About Bullying Prevention
Puppets are a great way to teach children. Learn more about PACER’s exciting new KIDS AGAINST BULLYING Puppet Program and help children in grades 1-3 learn about bullying prevention. To book a show in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, purchase puppets, or learn more about the program, e-mail puppets@PACER.org, call (952) 838-9000, or visit PACER.org/puppets.
PACER Publications
A Guide for Minnesota Parents to the Individualized Education Program
Updated for 2012, this guide helps parents work with schools to address each child's special needs through understanding the required components of the IEP. The guide includes examples from the Minnesota state recommended form. Call PACER at (952) 838-9000 or (800) 537-2237 and order item PHP-a12.
Let’s Talk and Count! Activity Cards
Looking for an easy, fun way to interact with your children and help them be ready for reading and counting? Let’s Talk and Count! Activity Cards will help build your child’s vocabulary and speaking skills, and improve your child’s early math skills. Translations are available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali. Call PACER at (952) 838-9000 or (800) 537-2237 and order item PHP-a41.
Programs and Resources
PACER Center is a Minnesota nonprofit organization that provides services to families of children and young adults with any disability. More
PACER's site offers many PDF files for download, which require