The WSPEI Connector

Big news from WSPEI! We have our fall calendar of workshops and networking opportunities ready for you! Check out the fantastic lineup below for dates and details!

Let's come together to build our knowledge and connections after the summer break!

As Wisconsin schools begin wrapping up the academic year in May, there are celebrations galore with concerts, class picnics, and graduations. While these events and milestones are very exciting, the shift in routines and energy might be unsettling for some students. We offer some resources in this month's Connector that can be helpful when adapting to change.

We wish you the joy of warmer days and the satisfaction of another school year nearly complete!

All WSPEI events are FREE, will be held virtually on ZOOM and are open to families, educators and community agency members.

Flyers with registration will be available in June, 2024.

Check our website frequently for updates.

https://wspei.org/learning-opp/

Printable PDF for Distribution: https://wspei.org/documents/family-efficacy-trainings-2024-25.pdf

Topic Specific Workshops

The Family’s Role in the CCR-IEP Process

This 3-session workshop is aimed at equipping parents and other family members with knowledge and confidence to actively engage in the IEP process. For families who have a child between the ages 3-21 who have an IEP.

Sessions will run from 6-7:30 pm on October 15, 22 & 29, 2024. Educators are encouraged to participate as well!

Families As Partners

This series of four educational and leadership sessions for families is focused on building relationships with school staff and other supportive individuals in order to enhance student outcomes.

Our fall sessions will be held on Tuesdays at 5:30-8:30 pm, September 10, 17, 24 & October 1

OR on Fridays 9:00 am-noon, September 27, October 4, 11 & 18, 2024

Navigating Special Education Resources

Participants in this workshop will gain fundamental information and knowledge about special education, as well as explore resources and specific tools and strategies to use when collaborating with school staff to support and advocate for their child’s needs.

Sessions are held from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm.

Session 1 Topics: Acronyms/Terms; Birth-3; Pre-School; Communication

Session 2 Topics: Evaluation Reports; IEPs; Transition(PTP); General Information.

Session dates: 11/14/24 & 11/21/24

Engaging & Supporting Families Through Groups & Networks

A 4-part workshop series for families of a child with an IEP, Community Agency Members, and Educators held on Thursdays from 9:00 - 11:00 am, September 12, 19, 26 & October 3rd, 2024.

Using the Serving on Groups curriculum participants will:

• Learn how to form a group, and identify a purpose and structures to ensure the group works well together.

• Assess and grow their strengths, knowledge, and skills for effective participation and leadership within a group.

Continuous Monthly Network and Learning Opportunities

Family Support Community

A monthly learning opportunity designed for families and other caregivers supporting a child(ren) with a disability. These meetings occur on the first Wednesday of the month from 7-8 pm and the first Thursday of every month from 12-1:00 pm. Our supportive community meetings provide valuable learning opportunities and mutual support. They take place from September through May.

Family Engagement Community of Practice & Learning

A learning community for educators, administrators, statewide agencies, community partners, and families focusing on family engagement specific topics.

Meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month September to May, 4:00-5:30 pm.

Book Discussions

Powerful Partnerships; A Teacher's Guide to Engaging Families for Student Success

Karen Mapp, Ilene Carver and Jessica Lander.

In Powerful Partnerships, the goal is to strengthen family engagement practices and, in doing so, strengthen classroom success for all students. This work is incredibly impactful. In order for you to achieve the best possible results, one important factor is the strong ties you build with the families and community members that your school serves. Those strong partnerships are important to maximize student learning.

Discussions will be held on Wednesday afternoons from 4-5:30, October 16, 30 & November 13, 2024.

Crucial Conversations, Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High

Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, Switzler

How do you deal with topics that are sensitive yet important to you? Your daily interactions can hold pivotal moments, with outcomes that affect the quality of your relationships, careers and life. This book by Kerry Patterson et. al. helps you to identify and effectively conduct “crucial conversations”, so you can overcome difficult or sensitive issues, to improve results and achieve your desired outcomes.

3 Sessions Thursday 9-10:30 am; 10/17,10/ 31 & 11/14/2024

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Last month, WSPEI Family Engagement Coordinator and Family Efficacy trainer, Heidi Lehman, sat down with one graduate of our WSPEI Families As Partners Learning Series to hear about the impact family leadership opportunities and training have had on her life.

Meet Sarah Blonsky, newly elected School Board Member for Whitnall School District!

1. Tell us about yourself, and your family!

My name is Sarah Blonsky. I am a kindergarten teacher by trade. I've been married to my husband, Dan, for nearly 11 years. I have had 4 children, two who are living. My son, Monty was born in 2016. He has Down Syndrome and is medically complex. As a result of his complexities, I became a stay at home parent. In 2020, I had my daughter Emerson who passed shortly after birth. My daughter CeCe was born in 2021. Monty and CeCe are funny, full of energy, and the lights of my life.

2. What parent leadership opportunities and agencies have you been involved with?

I first became involved with advocacy when Monty was about 6 months old. It happened subtlety at first. Another parent and I started a Facebook support group, because we were frustrated with all the different services and navigating local resources. We originally started very small with only 10-20 moms but over the years it's grown to just over 230 parents. As I began to talk to parents, I saw a lot of misinformation and inconsistencies between counties and even individual caseworkers so I decided that I needed to learn everything I could to help all of us navigate the systems more effectively.

Over the next 7 years, I started following every WI group/agency I could find on social media and signed up for email lists. I met with Shirin Cabral and Sally Flaschberger who, at the time, worked for Disability Rights Wisconsin. The first formal training I attended was Advocacy for Change - Family Voices of Wisconsin. I also attended Partners in Policymaking | Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities through BPDD and Families as Partners with WSPEI. Additionally, I am a trained Parent to Parent of Wisconsin support parent and have volunteered with GiGi's playhouse Milwaukee and Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin

It's kind of a rabbit hole, the more trainings you attend the more you learn about. Personally, I try to follow and keep track of as many of these resources as possible. I have also attended a wide variety of online webinars and follow a large amount of disability related social media accounts. I prioritize learning directly from people with disabilities as often as possible.

3. What did you learn from these programs that helped build your Confidence, Connections, your Capabilities, and helped you acknowledge the role you play in your children's education?

I probably could write multiple books about everything I learned throughout all my trainings. The biggest thing I learned is how to leverage my social capital. I'm only one person and that means there are limitations to what I alone can do. But I've met hundreds of people over the years and learned how to find and use numerous resources. This allows me to have a larger reach despite my personal limitations.

I also have learned over the years that even talking someone through a small problem makes a big impact. Over the years, I have helped people in a wide variety of ways. Sometimes it is connecting them to someone else or answering a quick question. Other times it has been a complex and time consuming solution. But each one of those things made an impact. I don't need to be afraid to try to make a difference because I am already doing that.

I also learned that I know my children and will fight for them like no one else. This is at times intimidating but most of the time it is a reminder that my voice matters and needs to be heard. Sharing my voice, story, and perspective doesn't just help me. When we advocate for our child, we are advocating for other children who will come after them too.

4. What does the term "Family-School Partnerships" mean to you?

To me partnership is the key word here. I've been both a teacher and now a parent and it is incredibly important for everyone to know that we are truly a team working together to meet the needs of the student. Partnerships only work with clear communication, respect, and support. This is true for any type of partnership and it is true for any parents with schools.

That said when your child has a complex IEP this is critical. My son is going to be at his school for many years and quite frankly they spend most of his awake hours with him, but I know him and think about his whole life in a different way. Together we create more opportunities for him. Mutual respect is key. Assuming positive intent and pushback help us hold each other accountable. This partnership only works though if all parties are invested and recognize this. If the family or school don't want to work together it is a large obstacle for that student. Schools and parents shouldn't be adversaries. They should share a common goal and work towards that goal together.

5. Why did you choose to run for School Board for the Whitnall School District?

There were a lot of reasons I choose to run for school board. The idea originally started simmering for me in 2020 when I was attending Partners in Policymaking. We met several Partners who were serving on boards and learned about how board members have a large impact on what happens in schools.

Between my lived experiences as a parent, my background as a teacher, and my training I have a unique set of skills and a viewpoint that will benefit my community. When you have to accommodate your child every day, in multiple environments and circumstances it is something that you don't even consciously think about. And when accomodations and inclusion are the automatic assumption your decision making process is different. Quite frankly, there should be representation from every marginalized community on the board, because lived experiences give an invaluable perspective.

This year was especially critical as our district is looking to do some major facility work including working on the accessibility of our buildings. The political climate has also been very fractured and I felt I needed to be on the board to advocate for marginalized students. I wanted someone at the table who would ask questions about students with disabilities and make sure all students are being included. In the end I decided why not me? I ran a campaign focused on my values and my community decided that these values of equity and inclusion were important to them as well.

6. How will you grow in your role as a school board member to give back to others in your school district and community?

Being a school board member means I will have to look at the big picture. I will be making decisions for every child in the district not just mine. I will have to weigh and balance needs and limitations that exist. I know that I will have a lot to learn and will also navigate a complex political landscape. I'm most excited to be able to ask questions and work with the district to challenge all of us to look deeper and think outside the box. I plan to continue seeking out trainings and opportunities to expand my knowledge in as many areas as possible. This spring I'm excited to attend Circles of Life and hopefully some trainings through WASB and other school board organizations.

7. What advice would you give to families who want to support their children's learning, and partner with their school district?

My first piece of advice is always assume good intentions first. The school has a different perspective than us but they went into education to help students. It is unlikely that they are trying to cause harm. Sometimes it's a misunderstanding or they just need more support or information.

Communicate and ask questions, never assume. It's really important that you communicate clearly with school staff. Be honest and upfront and communicate the same way you want them to communicate with you. Create respectful dialogue and relationships with your child's teachers and support staff. Don't make them guess about things, share necessary information. And be honest about what your child needs. Also be open to what they have to say. It can be hard to hear that your child has behaviors or support needs that you didn't realize. School is a different type of environment than home and things can look different. Ask questions and clarify and focus on solutions.

Know your rights and document things. There are times when things don't go well. If you know your rights and the way to address issues they often can be resolved easily. And when they can't, remember that this is ultimately about what is best for your child. If you keep them and their needs at the center of your decision making it will help.

Lastly, find other parents who get it and will support you. People who will give you honest feedback. This is hard. It's important that you have a support network. Get involved. Join the groups, go to the events, and don't be afraid to share your voice even when it's incredibly hard.

Endless Possibilities Conference - **NEW Location for 2024**

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

$50 per registrant (lunch is included)

REGISTRATION

A limited number of parent scholarships are available for parents to attend the conference for free. For registration questions, including parent scholarship and purchase order information, please contact WI FACETS.

August 2, 2024 - 8:00 am - 3:30 pm; In-Person

Learn from families who have built positive partnerships with their children’s schools and communities as well as from experts in the areas of equity and inclusion, mental health, and neurodiversity. Educators and families are encouraged to attend the conference together.

• Family Partnering and Community Engagement Action Planning
• Understanding “Sensory”
• Helping Children from Hard Places by Building Trust and Partnership with Foster Families
• Lessons Learned Along a ReMARKLEable Journey
• Keeping Individuals with Disabilities in Charge of their Lives: Supported Decision-Making and Early Choice-Making
• Welcome to College: Accessible and Inclusive

This year we have also partnered with Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) to host our first in-person conference since 2019! WCTC's Pewaukee campus offers a state-of-the-art venue on a beautiful, easily accessible campus, for a day of engaging in-person learning and community. WCTC campus maps and directions to WCTC can be found here.

Circles of Life

Circles of Life Conference - Family Voices of Wisconsin

May 16-17

Stevens Point, WI

This year’s theme is families building their communities. This includes learning strategies to build a community, as well as programs and services that support families to create an inclusive community for children, teens and adult family members with disabilities.

Registration Deadline May 3rd

REGISTRATION

Parent/Family Member:

In-Person $150 or Virtual* $60

Professional/Provider/Educator:

In-Person $325 or Virtual* $150

*Virtual attendees will have access to 2 workshops per session as well as the keynote speaker. These can be found on this webpage under Sessions, “Livestream.” These sessions will also be recorded and available for viewing after the event.

Student/Child:

In-Person $100

All children/teens attending Sibshop or Gathering of Youth must be registered for the conference and a separate sign up form must be completed.

Adult Caregiver/Chaperone (attending meals only): In-Person $100

Circles of Life Programs for your kids:

Gathering of Youth is a one-and-a-half-day program for teens with disabilities (ages 13 to 22) as part of the Circles of Life Conference. There is no additional fee for this program, but the teen must be registered for the conference ($100 per child/teen) and a parent or guardian must be onsite at the Holiday Inn.

Gathering of Youth Registration

COL Sibshop is offered for "typically-developing" children ages 8-12 who have brothers and sisters with developmental disability, special health, or mental health concerns. Sibshop takes place in the conference area on Thursday morning, May 17 from 9 am - noon.

Sibshop Registration

Update to Criteria Guidelines: Autism

The DPI is updating resources related to assessment procedures to accurately identify students with autism through a comprehensive special education evaluation. The guidelines for how to apply the criteria to identify a student with autism, aligned with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) evaluation procedures, are being updated to better align with current best practices and understanding about students with autism.

The DPI is seeking feedback on what to include in the updates to the criteria guidelines.

If you would like to provide input, please complete the survey by following the link to the Survey for Updates to Criteria Guidelines: Autism. The survey will be open until May 31, 2024.

WI FACETS May 2024 Newsletter

This month's WI FACETS Newsletter has a focus on Mental Health and how that can effect school attendance.

It includes a wide range of resources and organizations that offer help and support.

Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health

The Office of Children's Mental Health (OCMH) supports Wisconsin's children in achieving their optimal mental health and well-being. By encouraging collaboration across child and family service systems in Wisconsin, including state agencies, non government mental health programs, advocates, and people with lived experience, OCMH supports children's mental health system improvements.​

What is the Feelings Thermometer?

The Feelings Thermometer is a visual tool that helps you (kids and adults) measure how you are doing emotionally and what steps you can take to shift your mood when ​things are getting tough. Parents, teachers, school social workers and children can all make use of the Feelings Thermometer.

Feeling Thermometer - English

Feelings Thermometer - Spanish

(E SE CÓMO INDICAR PARA TERMÓMETRO)

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness. We are the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization with affiliates offering programs and support throughout the state of Wisconsin.

To find your local office, click here NAMI Wisconsin, Inc.

Upcoming Programs:

SE Wisconsin: NAMI Family to Family - July Program

SE Wisconsin: NAMI Family to Family September Program

988 Hotline

Prevent Suicide Wisconsin - County Crisis Lines

Registration (for food count) and more details by clicking these links!

English registration: http://bit.ly/ComConvoMay2024

Spanish Registration: http://bit.ly/ComConvo2024Span

We want to hear from Milwaukee’s disability community! We will be holding a community conversation Thursday, May 23rd, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Independence First located at 540 S. 1st Street in Milwaukee to learn ways to improve supports and resources. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and lunch will be provided. Spanish interpretation available.

Stay after lunch to get a tour of Independence First’s technology center and learn how technology can help people with disabilities!

Email: wspei@cesa12.org
Website: https://wspei.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WisconsinStatewideParentEducatorInitiative
Phone: 833-879-7734

The Wisconsin Statewide Parent‐Educator Initiative (CFDA #84.027A) acknowledges the support of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction in the development of all products or publications and for the continued support of this federally‐funded grant project.