E-News

U.S. Department of Education Releases Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

The public has an opportunity to comment on proposed amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) regulations governing the Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities Program and Preschool Grants for Children with Disabilities Program. Comments must be received on or before July 28, 2008. Issues on the regulations include:

• Parental revocation of consent for special education services
• Representation of parents by non-attorneys in due process hearings
• State monitoring, technical assistance, and enforcement of the Part B program
• A state's or local educational agency's (LEA's) obligation to make positive efforts to employ qualified individuals
• The allocation of funds, under sections 611 and 619 of the Act, to LEAs that are not serving any children with disabilities

These proposed regulations have not previously been available for public comment. The proposed amendments are from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS).

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A Thousand Thanks...

…to everyone who made PACER Center’s 26th annual Benefit such a great success. We truly appreciate the efforts and support from the hundreds of volunteers, sponsors, donors, and supporters. Funds raised from the Benefit are used to support various programs that bring free services to Minnesota families who have children and young adults with all types of disabilities. You are terrific!

Two New National Resources Help Youth with Mental Health Needs

PACER Center staff played a vital role in developing two new resources for the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth). One is “Navigating Tunnels and Cliffs: Empowering Families and Caregivers to Assist Youth with Mental Health Needs in Preparing for Work.” It offers strategies and best practice examples for navigating mental health systems and cites PACER's Project C3 (Connecting Youth to Communities and Careers) as a promising practice in linking families to transition resources for youth. The other is “Tunnels and Cliffs: A Guide for Workforce Development Practitioners and Policymakers Serving Youth with Mental Health Needs,” which describes promising practices for professionals serving youth with mental health needs.

NCWD/Youth assists state and local workforce development systems to better serve youth with disabilities. It is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy. PACER Center has been a member of this collaborative since 2006.

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Congrats to Ruthie!

Ruthie Hardin, age 10, has won the Creative Kids of PACER art contest. Ruthie, who attended a Creative Kids workshop earlier this spring, enjoys painting with watercolors, writing poetry, reading, biking, and swimming, among many other activities. Her winning entry is featured on the 2008 PACER greeting cards. Packages of eight are $10; order online or by calling PACER at 952-838-9000. Creative Kids sends a special thanks to all contestants; Anthony R. Whelihan, PACER’s artist in residence; and the Creative Kids sponsors: B&B Adcrafters, Gallery Services, Gannett Offset, and Penco Graphic Supply.

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Save the Date! Opening Doors Conference is Nov. 10 – 11

PACER Center is a partner in the national Opening Doors conference, Nov. 10 –11, at the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda, Md. This “state of the science” event focuses on accessing services for children and youth with disabilities and special health care needs from traditionally underserved communities. Sessions will focus on early screening for disabilities and special health care needs; inclusive recreation; and adolescent transition. The keynoter is motivational speaker and disability advocate Greg Smith. Registration begins Sept. 1. Opening Doors is a five-year Rehabilitation Research and Training Center funded by the U.S. Department of Education National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDDR). The conference is sponsored by NIDRR, the HSC Foundation, the Maternal Child Health Bureau, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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Join IBM's World Community Grid

The World Community Grid is an IBM effort to link computers worldwide and put idle computer time to use in aiding projects that benefit humanity. The grid is built upon an IBM infrastructure and includes IBM support. To become part of the grid, members install a small, free software program on their computers. When their computers are on but not being used, the program connects to the World Community Grid’s server, performs computations, and sends the results back to the server. Members’ donated resources help increase the pace of research. Visit www.worldcommunitygrid.org, click “find a team,” and select “PACER Center.” Join the team! It’s safe and easy.

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