Special Education Parent Newsletter

As we wind down the 2023-2024 school year, we want to thank you for supporting your child's special education teachers and staff. It has been our privilege to educate and support your children.

Mark your calendar for our open Special Education Parent Advisory Committee meeting on May 15 @ 6pm. This is an opportunity to join other parents in the FBISD special education community to learn about opportunities and resources. (Learn more about SEPAC in the Get Involved! section below)

We look forward to a recharging summer to welcome everyone back in August.

Special Education Services Team

Fort Bend ISD

1. Transportation:

Customer Care Contact (281) 634-4077

transport.support@fortbendisd.com

Hodges Bend Transportation Center (281) 634-1970

Lake Olympia Transportation Center (281) 634-1930

2. Specific course, assignment, or learning resource: Teacher

3. Supports or accommodations: Teacher or Case Manager

4. Documentation (ARD/IEP, FIE): ARD Facilitator (MS, HS)/Campus Compliance Coordinator (ES)

5. Student Schedule: Counselor

6. Personal or Social Emotional Concern: Counselor

7. Special education procedural or programming questions: Programs Managers, Special Education Services

8. Parent Support Network: Campus SEPAC representatives*

May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month

We thank our extraordinary teachers for igniting curiosity, inspiring creativity, and nurturing student minds with unwavering dedication. We appreciate your wisdom, compassion, and inspiration.

Join Fort Bend Falcons today! Open to ages 8 and older.

COMPONENTS

• Multiple sports throughout school year
• Sports training and competition
• Olympic-type sports
• Individual with intellectual disability

OUTCOMES

• Physical fitness
• Courage and joy
• Sharing of gifts and skills
• Friendship: Families, Athletes, Community

How can you join the Fort Bend Falcon Family?

APP:

Download the sportsYou app on your device

Team Code: YWYA-XF8U

EMAIL:

Laura Rivers (Head of Delegation)

Laura.rivers@fortbendisd.com

Robert McGuire (Head of Delegation)

Robert.mcguire@fortbendisd.com

*** Representatives are needed for 2024-2025!!! ***

If you are interested in being a SEPAC representative, please complete the

SEPAC Application Form 2024-2025.

Join the open SEPAC meeting on Wednesday, May 15 @ 6pm. All special education parents are welcome to attend to learn about SEPAC and meet other parents.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/7386992457?pwd=d3JFdlI3Mm1ocC9kKzdGQmJuK1VKdz09&omn=98515039217

Meeting ID: 738 699 2457

Passcode: 123456

The Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) is a support network where parents can ask questions, meet other parents on the special education journey, and learn about relevant issues in the state and district that pertain to educating students with disabilities. The mission of the FBISD SEPAC is to:

• Advocate for innovative and inclusive educational environments
• Advise Fort Bend ISD on programs, parent/teacher trainings, and policy related to special education, and
• Support and facilitate effective communication between parents, students, and the school district

The role of a SEPAC representative is to:

• Be a liaison between campus parents and the district
• Facilitate communication between campus parents, the SEPAC, and the district
• Share information from the SEPAC and the district to campus parents
• Gather feedback from campus parents and relay back to the SEPAC and the district
• Provide feedback to the SEPAC and to the district from an engaged parent perspective as to what is working and not working at your campus

If you have any questions about the SEPAC, please contact Cindy Manthey, Program Manager.

The Special Education Department website is a great place to start when you have a question or when you are seeking resources to assist your student. Our department website and its various pages are uniquely designed to provide information and keep parents updated on programs and services for students. Be sure to visit our website and bookmark it!

The resources and events shared in this section are for information purposes only. Fort Bend ISD does not recommend or endorse any activity or organization. Parents and families are encouraged to determine whether an activity or organization is appropriate for them, given their unique needs.

FBCSO Project Lifesaver Program is designed to support families and caregivers of individuals who are prone to wandering due to cognitive disorders. Our mission is to bring loved ones home quickly, safely, and effectively.

This program provides a small arm bracelet with a radio frequency to a person who has a history of wandering or may be prone to wandering caused by a cognitive disorder such as Autism, Alzheimer's, Dementia Disorder, Intellectual Disability Disorders (IDD), Traumatic Brain Injury, etc. FBCSO Deputies are trained and equipped with a receiver device to aid in locating the person (client) if they go missing. If you fear for the safety of your loved one due to their wandering tendencies, and you want peace of mind, please review the criteria below that would qualify your loved one to participate in the FBCSO Project Lifesaver Program.

• The Client MUST live within Fort Bend County (The Project Lifesaver Coordinator can verify this for you).
• The Client MUST have a diagnosis of a cognitive disorder (Autism, Alzheimer's, Dementia Disorder, Intellectual Disability Disorders (IDD), Traumatic Brain Injury, etc.).
• The Client MUST NOT be allowed to drive an automobile of any kind, at any time.

You may submit an application on your loved one's behalf by clicking the link below. Once the application has been submitted, the Project Lifesaver Coordinator will contact you after the application has been reviewed to advise you of the next steps.

This program focuses on improving interaction between law enforcement and drivers with disabilities with unique communication needs. Texans now have the option to disclose “Communication Impediment” directly on their Driver License or State ID or when registering their vehicle through the DMV. This will alert the trained officer of an individual who may be slower to respond or one who is deaf or hard of hearing. Individuals with the following disability categories may be eligible: Autism, Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Intellectual Disability, Parkinson’s Disease, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Speech and Language Disorders, Deaf, and Hard of Hearing. To get started, go to www.TexasDrivingWithDisability.com.

Guardianship and Alternatives to Guardianship Information Session

Brazos Bend Guardianship Services is hosting a Guardianship Information Session. The goals of this session are:

• To learn what guardianship is and why it may be needed

• To learn what alternatives there are to guardianship

• To learn about the guardianship assistance program that is available

• To have an opportunity to ask an attorney legal questions about guardianship and alternatives to guardianship.

The next Guardianship Information Session is scheduled for:

When: Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Time: 6:00pm

Where: University Branch Library located at 14010 University Blvd., Sugar Land

Reservations: Please register by e-mailing Ercilia Rebeles at erebeles@bbgstx.org or calling at 281-232-7701

Golf Classic 2024

The Arc of Fort Bend proudly announces the 30th anniversary of our annual Golf Classic Tournament! We invite you to the Sweetwater Country Club on Monday, June 3, 2024, for a day filled with lunch, golf, a BBQ dinner, a live auction, and numerous enjoyable activities, all in support of a great cause.

Registration 10:00 a.m.
Shotgun Start 11:00 a.m.
Dinner & Awards 4:30 p.m.

Register and pay online here: arcgolf24.givesmart.com

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Teen/Tween Social & Parent Night Out:

Teen/Tween Social program is a fun way for teens with IDD to practice social skills and build friendships with a network of teen peers while enjoying games & activities. Open to 11 - 18-year-old Fort Bend County residents who have an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD). Events are held on the first Friday of the month from September – June at the Family Life Center of Christ Church Sugar Land, 3300 Austin Pkwy (across from First Colony Middle School). Each event is limited to 20 teens with IDD and 20 volunteers to keep it sensory-friendly and is staffed with Behavior Technicians to monitor behavior as needed.

Register for a Teen/Tween Social event here: https://arcoffortbend.org/respite-program-registration/

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Support Groups:

1. Parent Education & Support Group (Virtual): Monthly Zoom presentations about disability topics throughout the school year with a virtual support group meeting immediately following. (Presentations recorded & available on Facebook & website).

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Recently Released: Student Video Collection - Advice for Transition

The Texas SPED Support website has added a new video collection. This collection captures real-life examples and recommendations for transition planning. In each video, the young adult shares the story of their successful transition to life beyond high school. The videos feature four different young adults from across Texas sharing their transition journey: Abigail, Daylan, Sydney, and Juan (Spanish).

https://spedsupport.tea.texas.gov/topics/transition

Autism Women’s Network (AWN)

Autism Society

Autistic Self Advocacy Network

The Hub of Houston

Gulf Coast Chapter – Autism Society

The ARC of Greater Houston

Check out this video that discusses all of the task organization tools in the 365 suite:

https://youtu.be/-KM3gsHTmQc

The Next Steps to Independence Checklist provides a framework to develop skills for independence in adulthood for individuals with disabilities. Families might use this tool to reflect on their child’s achievements, consider any areas of concern, or collaborate with educators. Educators might use this tool to identify critical skills to address, adaptations to consider, or as an informal transition assessment for self-determination skills. Within each age group, you will see lists of activities and suggestions for teaching these critical skills and connecting with community partners.

Texas Education Agency (TEA) provides a 5-page overview of the special education process and services. See attachment.

To understand the 13 categories of disabilities and eligibility, you can find information on this website:

https://www.spedtex.org/resources/disabilities

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SPEDTex

Parent support and involvement makes a positive difference by elevating student academic performance and increasing achievements. Explore the resources to discover ways in which you can receive support and be involved in your student's education.

https://www.spedtex.org/families

https://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/college-planning-with-learning-disabilities/

https://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/college-planning-with-physical-disabilities/

https://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/diversity-equity-inclusion/disability-scholarships/