Last night's Special Education Parents Advisory Committee Meeting

Transition services:  I attended the SEPAC meeting last night and learned a bit about transition services offered in this area.  The guest speaker was John Bingel, the Transition Coordinator at MARESA.  As he explained, the education system in this area tries to start the dialog and thinking process of what adult life will be like for your child around age 14.  Legally, in the state of Michigan, IDEA requires transition planning for all students who receive special education services beginning at the age of 16.  If you are interested in learning more about how to help your child transition into adulthood, whether you require life skills training or college prep information, you may want to contact John Bingel (226-5143) for further information.


U.P. Special Education Conference 2011:  I also learned that MARESA is in the planning phase for the 2011 Special Education Conference.  The theme this year is "When we know better, we do better."  I've added the dates, February 24-25, to the calendar on the left.  As plans are firmed up, they will be added to the MARESA website on the conference page.  The SEPAC committee plans to host a breakout session in order to introduce parents to who they are and what they do and to share information with other Parent Advisory Committees through out the U.P.

Update:  If you are a professional and would like to present at this conference, there is a call for presenters out with a deadline of December 3.  The application is available from the MARESA home page.  

Other talk included discussion on next summer's Lose the Training Wheels camp, a program sponsored by SEPAC.  It is tentatively scheduled for mid June.  More information forthcoming.  Also under discussion is  possible ice skating training this spring for special needs kids to be held at Lakeview Arena. 

I learned a little more about SEPAC organization in general.  Official members of the group are actually appointed.  Once a person expresses interest and is approved (by the school board?), they are then paid a stipend of $25/month to attend meetings to help cover child care and travel expenses.  So if you were thinking you couldn't possibly come to these meetings, do think again.  The group present last night was small and friendly.  Luanne Peterson, MARESA's Director of Special Education was there as well as a representative from the school board.  They were very receptive when I presented information about the blog and upcoming support group meeting.  I can tell by a little leap in my stats since last night that they are already helping get the word out. 

If you are interested in attending, the next meeting is Thursday December 16, 6:00 pm at Coco's restaurant.  (They like to make the meeting before Christmas festive.)  If you are interested in attending, you can contact the group and learn more at their website.