The Lapeer County Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) is a group of educators and parents representing our local school districts whose primary focus is to stay informed regarding Special Education plans and changes, current trends in Special Education at the County, State, and Federal level, and if needed, to assist and promote partnerships among parents and educators that benefit students with disabilities.

The PAC takes an active role in the development of the Lapeer County Special Education Mandatory Plan, a document which describes the delivery of special education services in Lapeer County. The PAC provides workshops and speakers from the county and Statewide programs which can richly serve not only the parents of children with special needs, but in many instances the individual with the disability.

Parent Advisory Committee Meeting Dates 2021-2022

September 27, 2021 - Technology – What Parents Need to Know

November 8, 2021 - Respite Care- Follow up Presentation/ Business Meeting

January 10, 2022 - Secondary Transition- A Parents Perspective/ Business Meeting

February 7, 2022 - Guardianship

March 7, 2022 - Business Meeting

May 9, 2022 - Social Security Disability Insurance

*All PAC Meetings for the 2021-2022 School Year Will Be Held Virtually

From 6:00PM-8:00PM via Zoom

LINK to PAC ZOOM Meetings

*The “all virtual” format may change; if presentations are offered in-person they will be advertised as such on the event flyer

Protect Young Eyes was back by popular demand for a part 2 session! If you missed this important live virtual presentation, no worries, below is the link to a recording of the September 27th presentation.

https://vimeo.com/617149674/cd8ef577c1

As parents, there are times when you may have a concern about your child, but you may wonder who you should reach out to. Below are some steps to consider if you have a student concern.

If your child has an IEP and you are concern about something related to academics:

Step 1. Reach out to your child's teacher or special education teacher (sometimes special education teachers are also called case managers, especially when students get to middle and high school).

Step 2. If you've tried to resolve the concern with the classroom teacher and special education teacher without resolve, request a meeting with the with the teacher, special education teacher, and principal or assistant principal.

Step 3. If you're still not getting your concern resolved, contact your local district special education director or coordinator.

Here are some other helpful guides:

MDE Family Matters Advocating for Your Child Fact Sheet:

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Advocacy_FactSheet_656386_7.pdf

Michigan Alliance for Families

Workshop- Communication & Collaboration with Your Child's Schools

October 29, 2021 from 12:00-1:00PM

Registration Required (at the link below):

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7824352760008478221

Did you know that the Lapeer Community Center (often times called the Rec. Center) has a fun and exciting program for individuals with special needs?

This program is for physically and/or mentally impaired individuals ranging from 13-adult. Every Wednesday there will be a Social Group activity. Examples include game night, crafts, karaoke night, gym time and much more. The also have off site social group events, such as bowling, which will require your own transportation. Once a month on a Saturday night, a holiday or themed dance will also be planned.

Social Group is an atmosphere where everyone is ready to make new friends and have fun! A monthly calendar will be available listing each Social Group activity and will provide times, location and costs. Pre-registering for Social Group is strongly preferred, but not mandatory. Reserve your spot as soon as possible by going to the Lapeerpr.recdesk.com and registering, or you can email or call Aubry Fredricksen, Afredricksen@ci.lapeer.mi.us, (810) 664-4431.

Visit their website

Michigan Alliance for Families is a statewide resource to connect families of children with disabilities to resources to help improve their children’s education. We help facilitate parent involvement as a means of improving educational services and outcomes for students with disabilities.

What They Do:

• Michigan Alliance for Families provides printed, electronic, and multimedia information/resources.
• Michigan Alliance for Families staff are available to talk to parents and professionals about special education and related services, and disability specific information.
• Michigan Alliance for Families hosts relevant workshops across the state. All of our events and materials are free of charge to parents/ families.
• Michigan Alliance for Families encourages and supports parents in leadership roles.

Sign Up to Stay Up-To-Date With Their E-Newsletter

Michigan Alliance for Families is our state’s federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. We are a Michigan Department of Education IDEA Grant Funded Initiative. The efforts of Michigan Alliance for Families align with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to help improve results for children with disabilities. Michigan Alliance for Families can assist you in knowing your rights, effectively communicating your child’s needs, and advising how to help your child develop and learn. Also, check out our partner agencies and organizations.

Attendees will meet our panel of experts on Wednesday, October 27 at Noon, when we provide an overview of the current package of bills referred to as the ‘Michigan Dyslexia legislation’ and explain how the legislative process works. There will be an opportunity to ask questions as well.

REGISTRATION LINK

Who is MiPAAC?

The Michigan Parent, Advocate & Attorney Coalition (MiPAAC) powered by the Autism Alliance of Michigan was formed in 2020 for the purpose of giving voice to families of children with disabilities.

Their work is centered around educating families on current special education issues and topics of interest, as well as to advocate for state policies and legislation that support their needs.

They are unique in that they are an independent group of stakeholders without political interference that is solely focused on advocating for the education needs of students. MiPAAC convenes regularly to collectively identify priorities to address issues which exist across the special education system.

Current priorities include:

• Access to equitable opportunities
• Educational benefit through IEP implementation
• Driving systemic change

Erika Sunday is a teacher at the Lapeer ISD Education & Technology Center Programs. She teaches students who are severely cognitively impaired. Erika was one of several hundred teachers nominated by a parent to receive a $250 gift from Michigan Insurance and Financial Services. Mrs. Sunday spent her winnings on taking her class on a trip to Blake's Orchard. How fun!

Lapeer County has many programs to help families, even right from birth! Below is an overview of all of the Early Childhood services that are provided to families in Lapeer County. If it looks overwhelming, don't worry, use the link below to complete a quick survey. Based on the information you provide, you'll be connected with a local program that can help.

SURVEY LINK to Programs in Lapeer County

You can also text "Tots" to 33222 to be contacted by a team member and receive important information and tips for kids ages birth to kindergarten.

Are you worried about your child's development? Complete a FREE online developmental Screening for children ages 2 months and 5 years. It only takes 10 minutes to complete! You'll receive your results within one week via email or a phone call.

• Click HERE for Ages and Stages Developmental Screening

• Click HERE for Ages and Stages Developmental Screening - Spanish
• Click HERE for Ages and Stages Social-Emotional Screening
• Click HERE for Ages and Stages Social-Emotional Screening - Spanish

If your still looking for more information you can contact our Early Childhood Coordinator:

Contact:

Linda DeTavernier

Early Childhood Coordinator

Lapeer County Intermediate School District

810-245-3990

ldetavernier@lapeerisd.org

Child Find is part of the federal special education law known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), that requires schools identify, locate, and evaluate all children, aged birth through 21 years, who have disabilities and may be entitled to special education and related services. Michigan is the only state which has a state law mandating (or requiring) special education for students with disabilities birth to 26 years of age. This law is known as the Michigan Mandatory Special Education Act (MMSE) and is part of the Revised School Code.

Child Find Resources:

Child Find Procedures in Lapeer County

Family Matters Special Education Fact Sheet on "Child Find"

More Resources can be found at this link

LCISD Special Education Parent Handbook & Procedural Safeguards

LCISD PAC Brochure

Family Matters Fact Sheet "Communicating For Student Success"

Michigan Department Of Education Parent Resources Website

Family Matters Fact Sheet "Special Education Problem Solving"

Dispute Resolution Options (for FREE!)

Special Education Mediation Services helps students by fostering cooperation and effective teamwork among those who plan their education. The overall goal is to help students, parents and educators make decisions that improve education outcomes.

Or Complete The Request Services Form Linked Below:

Request for Special Education Mediation Services

Lapeer Help & HOPE Guide

Lapeer Child Advocacy Center Resource Booklet

Need help? Know someone who does?

If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others

• Call 911

• Call 211 Crisis hotline - will connect you to the resource you need in your community

• National Alliance on Mental Health 24/7 helpline 1-800-950-6264

• Disaster Distress Helpline, FREE 24/7 Counseling & Support, call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255 or text MHFA to 741741 to talk to a Crisis Text Line counselor

• National Domestic Violence Hotline call, 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224