Most teachers in general education – elementary and content-area secondary programs – are only given one survey course in special education and very little practical instruction in how to address the needs of all their students.

As a result, many feel overwhelmed with trying to reach all of the children in their courses. Ensuring all students can learn is the ultimate in equitable education. This article is the first in a series about how to attempt to reach and teach the diverse learners in a general education classroom.

This article discusses ways to make the content-area, general education classroom socially and emotionally welcoming to students with learning differences

NTACT updated and developed over 30 practice descriptions and corresponding lesson plan starters earlier in the summer. The Matrix of effective practices to teach academic, employment, and life skills to secondary students with disabilities has been updated to reflect these updates and additions. The Lesson Plan Library– a complete list of all research-based lesson plan starters for each of the effective practices – has also been updated. In order to access these resources, you will be required to create a login at www.transitionta.org.

Learn about upcoming NTACT events at: https://www.transitionta.org/events-details

Learn how new ABLE Accounts allow families to save up to $15,000 per year for their child without affecting their eligibility for Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) or Medicaid. Guest speakers from the ABLE National Resource Center and the State of Minnesota ABLE Plan will discuss eligibility requirements, qualified expenses, annual and lifetime savings limits, and the relationship of ABLE Accounts to special needs trusts.

Location: Webinar
Date: October 23, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Registration for the PEP two-day in-person training for Family Peer Advocates is open!

The Parent Empowerment Program (PEP) Training is a combination of online modules, a two-day, in-person training, and 12 coaching calls. Completion of the PEP training is a requirement for the Family Peer Advocate Professional Credential.

Rochester, October 9-10, 2018

Poughkeepsie, November 8-9, 2018

Long Island, December 5-6, 2018

Registration forms available here.

For more information about the PEP training and Family Peer Advocate Credential, contact Families Together in New York State at fpacredential@ftnys.org.

Location: Multiple Locations
Date: October 9, 2018
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Putting the Pieces Together: Strategies for Suicide Prevention

Join the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Long Island for their annual symposium featuring Dr. Christine Moutier, Dr. Cynthia Kaplan, and Dr. Blaise Aguirre.

Presentation topics include:

• Suicide Prevention and Social Media
• The Connection Between Childhood Sexual Abuse and Suicide
• Addressing Grief of Suicide Loss Survivors
• The Lethality of Loneliness

Suggested attendees include emergency responders, medical professionals, mental health professionals, school personnel, students, clergy, suicide survivors, and anyone interested in suicide prevention. 5 Continuing Education Hours are available for LMSW/LCSW/LMHC/LMFT/LCAT.

For workshop details and registration, click here.

For the event flyer, click here.

Location: Melville Marriott Hotel, 1350 Old Walk Whitman Road, Melville, NY 11747
Date: December 11, 2018
Time: 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Learn from expert national and state leaders, thinkers and innovators in the Family Engagement community.

Family Engagement is a shared responsibility in which schools and other community agencies and organizations are committed to reaching out to engage families in meaningful ways and in which families are committed to actively supporting their children's learning and development.​

This 2018 conference supports those who want to develop and strengthen family-school-community partnerships. Participants will hear about best practices and high-impact engagement that they can use in their day to day work. Through discussion and work sessions, attendees will learn and share important information about family and community engagement. This conference offers a unique opportunity to build strong collaborations and take valuable information back to their schools and agencies.

Register here.

Location: The Grapevine Banquets at 333 Dick Road, Depew, NY 14043
Date: November 29, 2018
Time: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Families Together in New York State and YOUTH POWER! will be hosting several regional self-advocacy trainings in the Long Island, Western NY, Central NY, and Upper Hudson regions throughout the month of October! These trainings are designed for youth (14+) with developmental/intellectual disabilities, but all are welcome to attend. Graduates of the New York Institute for Self-Advocacy (NYISA) will be presenting on topics such as disability history, strategic sharing, personal leadership planning, and more! Attendees will learn these invaluable self-advocacy skills from fellow youth and peers! The dates, times, and locations for each training are as follows. Western NY October 26th at the Hillside Children's Center (1 Mustard Street, Rochester NY, 14609, Room 143) from 5:00-8:00 P.M. Long Island October 11th at Brookhaven Town Hall (1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY 11738) from 5:30-8:30 P.M. Central NY and Upper Hudson Valley October 16th at the Crandall Public Library (251 Glen St, Glens Falls, NY 12801) from 5:30-8:30 P.M. If you have any questions or are interested in attending, contact Zack Kilmer, NYISA Coordinator, at 518-708-3808 or zkilmer@youthpowerny.org to register today!

Location: Multiple locations
Date: October 11, 2018
Time: Multiple times