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April 2008
National Technical Assistance Center:
PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN 55437 (888) 248-0822, www.taalliance.org
In This Issue:
Parent Center Update
- OHIO PTI Presents Self-Advocacy Workshop
- Connecticut PTI Supports Transition Success
Announcements & News
- ALLIANCE Institutes
- Register for the 8th Annual Early Childhood Inclusion Institute: July 22-24, 2008
- New Freedom Initiative Awards
- Costa Rica Exchange Program
Resources
- Foster Youth and Higher Education
- Emergency Management Research and People with Disabilities
- New Parent Newsletter
- The Nation's Report Card
- Finding the Right Book Level
Technology
- The Future of Children: Children and Electronic Media
- Extending the Reach of Wireless Networks
Fundraising
- Prospecting Newsletter
- Mattel Children's Foundation Grants
To find the Technical Assistance Center in your Region please visit www.taalliance.org/ptidirectory/
Parent Center Updates
Ohio PTI Presents Self-Advocacy Workshop
The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD), the Ohio PTI and Region 4 Parent Technical Assistance Center, offers a 3-day workshop called "It's My Turn". The self-determination curriculum for students with disabilities is designed to help students become self-advocates and understand their options as they leave high school. OCECD has several teams that present this training to schools around the state, and the workshop is also available online through video streaming on OCECD's Web site: www.ocecd.org. Read an article about the It's My Turn workshop at: http://www.ocecd.org/ocecd/h_docs/FORUM/08_0304_itsMyTurn.cfm. Congratulations to OCECD and co-directors Margaret Burley and Lee Ann Derugen on this exciting program!
Connecticut PTI Supports Transition Success
Congratulations to the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC) and executive director Nancy Prescott on their work promoting successful post-secondary transitions, including collaborating with their State Department of Education on a Statewide Transition Task Force and having a staff member participate as the parent representative on the state team at the national transition conference next week. The latest CPAC newsletter features a success story about a young man with ADHD who recently graduated from college and is now working as a teacher with Teach for America. The article also includes several helpful transition links. Learn more about CPAC at: http://www.cpacinc.org/.
Announcements
ALLIANCE Institutes 2008
Transition Institute
July 9-11, 2008
Chicago, IL
Management/Leadership Institutes
September 22-24, 2008
San Diego, CA
All Parent Centers should have received an invitation letter and selection form for the 2008 Institutes. The documents are also available online in the Parent Center log-in page of www.taalliance.org.
Register for the 8th Annual Early Childhood Inclusion Institute: July 22-24, 2008
The Early Childhood Inclusion Institute is the premier educational opportunity for anyone involved in the care and education of children birth through age five with special needs in inclusive settings. Attendees will learn about the latest research findings and resources to guide inclusive policy, professional development and practice; develop collaborative relationships and cross-agency systems to support early childhood inclusion; gain awareness of strategies and models to support inclusive services; and have the opportunity to meet, learn from and problem solve with peers.
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New Freedom Initiative Awards
The U.S. Department of Labor is seeking nominees for the 2008 Secretary of Labor’s New Freedom Initiative Award. Nonprofit organizations, small businesses, corporations, and individuals that have demonstrated exemplary and innovative efforts in advancing the employment and workplace environment of people with disabilities are eligible to apply for the award. The program celebrates partnerships and strategies that have had a positive impact on the employment of people with disabilities. Nomination packages must be submitted to Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award, Office of Disability Employment Policy, Room S-1303, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210 by May 30, 2008.
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Costa Rica Exchange Program
Mobility International is accepting applications as space permits for its summer exchange trip to Costa Rica. The program will take place June 27-July 12, 2008 and will focus on cross-cultural perspectives on disability rights. Youth leaders with disabilities are encouraged to apply, and scholarships are available.
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Resources
Foster Youth and Higher Education
The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) recently released a new information brief titled Foster Youth Who Have Succeeded in Higher Education: Common Themes. The publication is based on interviews conducted by the Casey Foundation with 8 foster youth who graduated from college.
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Emergency Management Research and People with Disabilities
The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) has collaborated with other government agencies to product a new document that summarizes current research projects related to emergency planning for people with disabilities. Emergency Management Research and People With Disabilities: A Resource Guide includes research recommendations and a bibliography of related resources.
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New Parent Newsletter
The National Center on Learning Disabilities (NCLD) has recently published its first issue of Parent News, a free email newsletter with research-based information for parents of children with learning disabilities.
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The Nation's Report Card
The National Center for Education Statistics has created a user-friendly Web site to disseminate the results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The site provides data in all different testing areas (writing, reading, math, science, etc.) and has specific pages for parents, educators, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
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Finding the Right Book Level
This chart on the Reading Rockets Web site compares different book leveling systems so parents and educators can easily compare ratings and determine whether a book is appropriate for a child’s age and ability.
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Technology
The Future of Children: Children and Electronic Media
This issue of The Future of Children focuses on exposure to various media types and its influence on child well-being. Articles provide statistics on media usage and strategies for promoting positive behaviors through technology.
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Extending the Reach of Wireless Networks
This TechSoup article provides suggestions for increasing the range of coverage of wireless networks to ensure a consistent signal.
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Fundraising
Prospecting Newsletter
Prospecting is an online column with fundraising news and tips published by the Chronicle of Philanthropy.
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Mattel Children's Foundation Grants
Mattel’s domestic grantmaking program includes a focus on projects that impact children with demonstrated needs, including those with disabilities. Grants range from $5,000-$25,000 and can be used for programs or core operating costs. Visit the Mattel Web site for eligibility details; applications are due July 15, 2008.
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PACER's site offers many PDF files for download, which require 
