E-News

Support PACER at Participating SUPERVALU-supplied Retailers with Your Purchase of P&G Products May 30 – July 31

This summer, people nationwide can support PACER and children with disabilities at participating SUPERVALU-supplied retailers through a unique promotion with Procter & Gamble (P&G). With the purchase of $25 in P&G products in one transaction, shoppers can choose to receive a $7 store gift check by mail and have $3 sent to PACER, or they can choose to donate the full $10 directly to PACER. Shoppers who make qualifying purchases at participating stores from May 30 through July 31 simply mail in their store receipt and a form obtained from the store or printed from ChampionForAChild.com.

This special promotion includes all the most popular P&G products, such as Tide, Charmin, Crest, and Bounty. It is available at SUPERVALU-supplied independent stores in the following states: AK, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, SD, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY. To find a participating store and complete details visit ChampionForAChild.com. The SUPERVALU donation is based on shoppers’ participation in the event, so please ask friends and family nationwide to join in, too.

If you don’t see the promotional display at a participating store, just print off the official offer form at ChampionForAChild.com and submit it and your store receipt according to the instructions. In Minnesota, chains such as Coborn’s and Kowalski’s as well as many independent stores are participating. Thank you!

Volunteer Training for Bullying Prevention Puppet Show is June 23

Volunteer puppeteers are needed to help make educational presentations to elementary-aged children. PACER’s new Kids Against Bullying puppet program features endearing, child-size puppets that address bullying prevention in a thoughtful, entertaining way. Volunteers attend a one-time training to learn puppet and presentation skills; work with a fun team; present programs at Twin Cities elementary schools about twice a month; and help children learn how to prevent bullying. Volunteers need to have a car, time during the school day, and a desire to help children. The next training is Wednesday, June 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at PACER. To learn more or register, call 952-838-9000 or email puppets@PACER.org. More

Free Webinar: Practical Tips for Working Effectively with Culturally Diverse Families of Young Children

This June 24 webinar is for early childhood professionals and others who want to increase their effectiveness in working with families from diverse cultures, especially those who have a young child with developmental concerns or delays. It’s from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.; certificates of attendance are available. Registration by June 23 is required. More

“Think College” Newsletter Offers Info to Students with Intellectual Disabilities

Students with intellectual disabilities who seek access to higher education, their families, and professionals may be interested in the monthly “Think College” newsletter. Created by the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston, it features college program profiles, upcoming events, and more. Subscribe online or contact Carrie Coslin at cosl0001@umn.edu.

Video Encourages Special Ed Students to Take State Outcomes Survey

To help educators improve services for students with disabilities who are still in school, every state is conducting a survey to find out what students who received special education services are doing one year after leaving high school. Are they working? Continuing their education? Doing something else? Called “Be a Superstar – Take the Survey,” the video was produced by PACER Center for the National Post-School Outcomes Center. See it in English or Spanish.

New Online Tool Furthers Equality and Full Access for People with Disabilities

The Disability Nondiscrimination Law Advisor from the U.S. Department of Labor helps employers ensure their employment policies and practices do not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities. Based on users’ responses to a few questions, the advisor then generates a customized list of federal disability nondiscrimination laws that likely apply, along with easy-to-understand information about employers’ responsibilities under them. More

PACER Center’s Teens Against Bullying Website Featured on CNN

PACER Center’s Teens Against Bullying website was shown on CNN in a report by Josh Levs on April 5, 2010. The story featured the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Stop Bullying Now! program and also referred viewers to the resources for middle- and high-school students available at PACERTeensAgainstBullying.org. See the CNN Report.

The 2010 Joshua O’Neill and Zeshan Tabani Enrichment Fund Application is Now Available

The Joshua O’Neill and Zeshan Tabani Enrichment Fund offers financial assistance to young adults (18+) with Down syndrome who wish to enroll in postsecondary programs or take enrichment classes that will help them to enhance life through employment, independent living skills, life skills, or another way. Visit ndss.org to download the application, or contact Vanessa Quick at vquick@ndss.org or 800-221-4602 with any questions. Application deadline is July 16, 2010.

PACER Publications

Now available in Spanish! “A Guide for Minnesota Parents to the Individualized Education Program” (IEP)

This booklet helps parents work with schools to address each child's special needs through understanding the required components of the IEP. It includes examples from the Minnesota state recommended form. 2010. One copy is free to Minnesota parents of children with disabilities. For others, it’s $3 per copy; $2 each for 10 or more copies. Order item PHP-a12s.

New Brochure! “Minnesota Due Process Options”

This new brochure offers parents information on options for resolving differences through the special education process in Minnesota. 2010. It’s free. Order item PHP-a25.

Programs and Resources

PACER Center is a Minnesota nonprofit organization that provides services to families of children and young adults with any disability. More

New Dispute Resolution Web Resource Available

PACER’s new web page for dispute resolution is now online. The information can help parents learn how to manage special education disputes with schools in a positive, productive way. Find publications, links, and more that can help parents better advocate for their child with disabilities. More