News & Events

‘I Feel Amazing’: Teen Touts Transformative Help from PACER

Posted: 4/24/2019

Recently, 16-year-old Darcey Hayes joined PACER staff and supporters at PACER’s Day at the Capitol. When she arrived at the Minnesota State Capitol, she marched in to meet her state representative, Ron Kresha.

The sophomore from Upsala is the president of the PACER Youth Advisory Board. Though not able to lobby or talk about legislation, she can share how special education works and her experience with it.

Hayes feels like a totally different person thanks to PACER.

“I feel amazing. I mean, I have friends, which I never really thought I would have,” Hayes said. “I’m doing really good in school. I’m able to do extracurricular things. I’m in my robotics team, I’m in knowledge bowl, I’m in FFA. I mean, I do so many things that I never thought I would be able to do.”

“When we can find groups like PACER that really get to those child issues and help them with their potential and really being who they can be, that’s something we need to keep pushing for in St. Paul,” Representative Kresha said.

Read and watch the full story from WCCO-TV.

Students organizing to create a world without bullying

Posted: 4/18/2019

On March 26, 315 students packed Elkins Auditorium at Pepperdine University to hear the Pepperdine Waves Debate Team and students from the Woodlake Elementary “Let’s Argue” class debate the question, “Can we create a world without bullying?”

Every attendee at the debate reported that they “learned something new” about bullying prevention, and 77.8% said that the event “expanded my understanding of what bullying can look like.”

Congratulations and many thanks to Dr. Abi Smith, debate professor, coach of the Waves, and creator of the Woodlake “Let’s Argue” class, as well as Juan Carlos Hugues, Tiffany Hall, and the Waves team for organizing the event. Special thanks to Dr. Luisa Raynal and Andres Phillips from the School of Public Policy for their participation.

Read more about PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center in Los Angeles.

PACER’s Early Childhood Family Leadership Summit is April 27

Posted: 4/18/2019

On Saturday, April 27, PACER will be hosting the Early Childhood Family Leadership Summit. This free, one-day training session is intended for parents of children ages birth to seven years old with developmental delays or disabilities. The Summit will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 8161 Normandale Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55416.

At the summit, parents will learn how to make their voices heard and enhance their knowledge of the early childhood special education process. All parents who are interested in serving in a leadership capacity in special education are encouraged to attend. The summit will also be highly informative for parents who currently serve or are interested in serving on Interagency Early Intervention Committees (IEICs), IEIC subcommittees, Special Education Advisory Councils (SEACs), or other advisory boards.

Participants at the summit will:

• Have an opportunity to network with other parents interested in the early childhood special education process
• Learn how to influence public policy, improve personal advocacy skills, and enhance leadership skills
• Learn about serving on committees and board

If an ASL interpreter is needed, please call 952-838-1338 with 48 hours’ notice. Lodging may be provided for parents traveling more than 70 miles one way.

To register for the Early Childhood Family Leadership Summit, please contact Judy Swett at [email protected] or 952-838-9000.

The Basics of Banishing Bullying

Posted: 2/14/2019

At a recent workshop in La Porte County, Indiana, Bailey Huston, coordinator of PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, discussed the best practices of bullying intervention with nearly 100 local educators, advocates, and professionals. Huston instructed attendees on how to properly define and identify bullying, how to navigate the dynamics underlying bullying, and, most importantly, how to effectively intervene and advocate on behalf of those who are the targets of bullying. Her presentation also covered the differences between bullying and conflict, as well as when bullying can qualify as discriminatory harassment.

Educators, school counselors, juvenile probation officers, social workers, law enforcement officers, mental health professionals, volunteer mentors, foster parents, and more came together to discuss these best practices and to share their knowledge and resources with one another. Huston made it a goal to pair her extensive knowledge of bullying prevention with their wisdom about the community—that relationship, she explains, is what paves the way for real growth.

Read the full article at The Michigan City Dispatch.

New Hours for Simon Technology Center’s Loan Library for Assistive Technology

Posted: 10/19/2018

PACER’s Simon Technology Center (STC) Loan Library is here to meet your assistive technology needs with over 1,500 items in inventory!  Based on use and demand, the Loan Library has new open hours: Tuesdays 12 pm to 7 pm, Thursdays 9 am to 1 pm, and the following Saturdays for 2018: September 22, October 20, November 17 and December 15. Appointments may also be scheduled to visit the library during business hours by calling 952-838-9000 or email [email protected] at least a day in advance. STC’s Library entrance is located on the north side of the PACER building.

PACER’s National Symposium on Children’s Mental Health and Learning Disabilities is August 8

Posted: 7/6/2018

Parents, teachers and other education professionals can now register for the 13th Annual PACER National Symposium about Children & Young Adults with Mental Health and Learning Disabilities. It is on Wednesday, August 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for teachers and administrators. Keynote speakers are:

• Steven Schlozman, M.D. Child and adult psychiatrist and associate director of the Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital, and assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He will speak on depression and suicide.
• Rosemarie Allen, Ed.D. President and CEO for the Institute for Racial Equity and Excellence, the lead agency for ensuring equity in educational practices throughout the nation, and assistant professor in the School of Education at Metropolitan State University in Denver. She will address social emotional competence and bringing out the best in every child.
• David Stember, Ph.D., a recognized expert in cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety, learning, and behavioral disorders. He is a clinical psychologist and maintains faculty appointments at Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital. His topic is childhood and adolescent anxiety.

PACER’s Mental Health and Emotional Behavioral Disorders Youth Advisory Board will give a panel presentation on “The Power of Youth Participation” and will also host a resource table for parents and professionals throughout the symposium.

Now Accepting Applications for Project KITE

Posted: 7/6/2018

Project KITE (Kids Included through Technology are Enriched) is an assistive technology training program for teams of Minnesota parents and educators. Project KITE works to increase the independence and inclusion of 3 to 8-year-old children with disabilities through valuable trainings and resources including the loan of an iPad with useful apps, and a free one-year membership to the Simon Technology Center’s lending library.

PACER is now accepting applications for Project KITE from teams of Minnesota parents, educators, and support professionals for our fall 2018 session. Submit an application or learn more about this unique opportunity. For more information, email Terri Rosen or call (952) 838-9000. Deadline for applications is September 30, 2018.

Choose Kind: WONDER Movie Official T-shirt and Sweatshirt Benefits PACER

Posted: 7/6/2018

Join more than 40,000 people and Choose Kind! WONDER, first a New York Times bestseller, now a major motion picture, shares the inspiring take-away message to always CHOOSE KIND. Every shirt sold benefits PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. How can you help? Easy! Order your shirt today. Wear kind, do kind, and most of all, choose kind.

Education Resource Booklet for Parents of Children with Mental Health, Emotional, or Behavioral Disorders Now Available

Posted: 7/6/2018

Educating Your Child with Mental Health, Emotional, or Behavioral Disorders: Information for Parents will help parents participate effectively in special education planning. Each chapter includes a set of questions to consider when thinking about developing the Individualized Education Program (IEP), including school discipline policies, placement options, and behavioral and emotional support needs. Updated 2018.  $5 | 10+ copies, $4 each | PHP-a21

MinnPost story features PACER's Transition Project

Posted: 7/6/2018

MinnPost looked at why some special ed students in Minnesota opt to continue past their senior year of high school. The story features PACER advocate Rachel Pearson and co-director of PACER's National Parent Center on Transition and Employment Barb Ziemke. The complete story is here.