A new calendar year begins, and educators begin a new semester. Can you feel a sense of freshness? Do you cultivate hope for the success of your students? Any new resolutions? Would you like to become an MTSS/TIER trainer and transform our schools? (see information below.) 😊

In January, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on 1/20. I have a Dream - a call for greatness that helps us to meditate and act in unity and equality. The Dream is built each day through our actions. It is intentional choice, and there is much work to be done. This Dream is timeless.

And speaking of committment, we just buried one of our Presidents. Regardless of politics, Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project for Habitat for Humanity has more than 30 years. Together, they’ve worked alongside over 108,100 volunteers who have built, renovated or repaired more than 4,447 homes in 14 countries, all while raising awareness of the critical need for affordable housing. (Source: Habitat for Humanity) Their legacy is noteworthy. Humanity bilds humanity.

As for this Post, it is our first 2025 issue. We hope it inspires and helps you to achieve professional greatness in your daily practice. There are events held at the ESC6 and beyond, as well as mental wellness, autism, and behavior health. There are also several resources related to suicide prevention. As always, let us know how to best serve you. May 2025 be a year of peace and purpose.

April 23, 9:00 - 11:30 am - You're Going to Love This Kid!: Educating Students with Autism in Inclusive Schools - # 553708 - Presenter: Dr. Paula Kluth - Virtual

April 23, 12:30 - 3:00 pm - Just Give Him the Whale: Using Passions, Areas of Expertise, and Strengths to Support Students - # 553710 - Presenter: Dr. Paula Kluth - Virtual

If you are seeking information on MTSS/TIER and/or on how to implement it, we have a survey for you!

By completing this questionnaire, we can tailor the courses we offer and better understand your coaching needs. Please take this 5-10 minute survey. We truly appreciate it!

ESC6 TIERmates

All Texas educators may access these courses for free on the TEALearn website and earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours.

The Texas Education Agency’s Supportive Schools Division and our Project AWARE Texas partners will be hosting a series of webinars to highlight resources and best practice strategies on timely and relevant safe and supportive schools topics. Session topics will include universal supports for school mental health, bullying prevention, psychological safety, and data informed decision-making to support school mental health. All sessions will be held from 11am to 12:30pm CST.

January 9th , 2025

Register Here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_o9rlIQSHT4upmKCJ7gGAiA

March 13th, 2025

Register Here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XxYoLdUjTGKBNmtOJTeX-g

May 8th, 2025

Register Here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3Kj2T9HwS6CXQkv6c1uVAg

Please join the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) School Safety Task Force on Thursday, January 30 from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST for a virtual training on assessing and responding to anonymous threats of violence in the K-12 environment.

The training will feature a facilitated discussion with school and district leaders on their experiences with managing anonymous threats – such as hoax calls, threats received on social media or via email, and notes found on school grounds – and maintaining the safety of their communities. The discussion will explore anonymous threat trends affecting K-12 schools, the criticality of early awareness and deterrence of future threats, key partners in addressing threats, and appropriate response actions that schools and local law enforcement partners can take when threats are received.

Event Details

• When: January 30, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST
• Where: Microsoft Teams Live (access link to be provided to registrants one day in advance of the event)
• Registration: k12anonymousthreats.eventbrite.com

Register Here

The subject matter covered during this event will be particularly relevant to school and district administrators, K-12 school security staff, school resource officers and school-based law enforcement personnel, emergency management professionals, state and local law enforcement, parents and guardians, and other members of the school safety community. If you have any questions, please contact the School Safety Task Force at SchoolSafety@mail.cisa.dhs.gov.

School Safety Task Force

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency

Region 6 ESC will host the Texas School Safety Center for a series of training sessions. We encourage you to share these valuable opportunities with your colleagues.

Key Details:

• TCOLE credit is available for eligible participants.
• All training sessions are provided at no cost.

When registering, please ensure you complete both the ESC registration and the Texas School Safety Center registration located on the flyer.

Staying Safe: School Safety Response Training

January 15, 2025

Teachers, Administrators, Paraprofessionals, Counselors

Staying Safe Flyer

Restorative Practices for Educators

March 6, 2025

Teachers, Administrators, Paraprofessionals, Counselors

RPE Flyer

TCOLE 4064

March 6-7, 2025

School-Based Law Enforcement

TCOLE Flyer

For more information, please contact Dr. Mark Ybarra, at mybarra@esc6.net or call 936.435.8245. Feel free to share this information.

ADHD EXPERT WEBINAR

EXPERT: Diann Wingert
DATE & TIME: Wednesday, January 22 @ 1pm EST
(12pm CST; 11am MST; 10am PST) | Find it in your time zone >

This webinar will be recorded. Register now for access to the live webinar PLUS we'll also email you the replay link »
. . . . .

There’s a reason why higher rates of neurodivergence are seen among entrepreneurs. People with ADHD have a strong tolerance for risk, an abundance of creativity, brilliant problem-solving skills (due, in part, to the ability to hyperfocus), and resilience.

Understanding your neurodivergent strengths and struggles is Step One in determining whether the path to entrepreneurship is right for you. In this webinar, you will learn:

• Why people with ADHD and autism make good entrepreneurs
• How to get started if you’re thinking about becoming a business owner
• About the unique challenges neurodivergent female business owners face
• How neurodivergent individuals can harness their strengths to overcome these challenges and drive business goals
• How to build a support network of female entrepreneurs, and why it’s important
• How to promote your business with transparency about your neurodiversity

Register Now to Reserve Your Spot & Get Replay Access »

Friday, January 31, 2025 · 11:30 am - 1:00 pm ET

In Person & Online Events · $25

215 E 50th St, New York, NY 10022

Register Now

MHA has partnered with NBCC, CCPA, and leading educators to bring you the online 2025 Child & School Counseling Summit (live on February 22 & 23).

The purpose of the Summit is to equip you with evidence-based education, tools, and resources to better support the young people you work with, both inside and outside of school settings.

As an attendee you will enjoy:

• Pay nothing to attend – or just $1 per hour of learning to enjoy extra perks, including on-demand access to session recordings, handouts, and more.
  
• Accrue up to 10 CE credits (NBCC & CCPA Approved CE).
  
• Learn directly from a stellar line-up of experts and thought leaders, who will be sharing the latest research, clinical insights, and practical resources in child & school counseling.
  
• Topics include neurodiversity and neuro-affirming counseling, adolescent substance use, addressing youth suicide risk, AI and school counseling, emotional intelligence, trauma-focused practice, and much more.

There are limited places available. Please register now to secure yours:
https://www.mentalhealthacademy.net/childsummit

If you have any questions about the Summit, please contact our friendly support team on help@mentalhealthacademy.net.

Tiered Interventions Using Evidence-Based Research (TIER), funded by the Texas Education

Agency, develops and disseminates information about best practices for the multi-tiered

system of supports (MTSS) framework. The project goal is to improve the quality of

interventions provided to students by increasing local education agency capacity for

implementing an effective, integrated, comprehensive framework for intervention that both is

grounded in differentiated instruction and aligned to the systems that are fundamental for all

students’ academic, behavioral, and mental health achievement.

TIER has developed a series of 11 modules, or broad topic areas, focused on a particular aspect

of MTSS. Each module contains a set of learning pathways, or individual presentations, that

support the implementation of an MTSS framework. A brief description of each module is

outlined below.

▪ Introduction – Learn about the multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) framework and

how it can be used to meet the academic, behavior, and mental health needs of all

students.

▪ Leadership – Review essential structures and practices necessary for schoolwide

implementation of MTSS.

▪ Communities – Be informed about working with caregivers and important outside-of-

school stakeholders.

▪ Behavior – See how to incorporate Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports

(PBIS) within an MTSS framework.

▪ Mental Health – Explore how to integrate mental health supports such as trauma-

informed care and restorative practices within MTSS.

▪ Screening – See why screening is an essential practice in MTSS. Learn about common

screening measures in academics and behavior.

▪ Progress Monitoring – Explore progress-monitoring measures as well as how to analyze

progress monitoring data and make data-based decisions.

▪ Decision Making – Learn how to use a data platform. Review decision rules for

determining student progress.

▪ Academics – Dive into evidence-based practices that should be included within

universal, targeted, and intensive support.

▪ Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Practices (CLRP) – Focus on culturally and

linguistically responsive practices within academic and behavior interventions.

▪ Data-based Individualization (DBI) – Learn about DBI and how it can be used to

improve student outcomes in reading, writing, behavior, and mathematics.

TIER Certification Overview

Purpose of Certification - A primary goal of the TIER project is to develop and disseminate information about best practices for an MTSS framework. One way this is accomplished is through a training of trainers (TOT) model which aims to increase the number of certified TIER trainers across the state. Once a participant becomes a TIER certified trainer, they can deliver training within their region or district in their area(s) of certification. Please note that at least one member from each education service center (ESC) should be certified to provide, at a minimum, Introduction, Leadership, and CLRP content, otherwise referred to as TIER Essentials+ Certification.

Source: © 2022 The University of Texas System/Texas Education Agency. Licensed under CC-BY-ND-NC 4.0 International.

• **LiveBinder: Exploring Positive Outcome Strategies for Challenging Behaviors: https://www.livebinders.com/b/2746682

• **LiveBinder: Evidence-Based Strategies for Students with Autism - https://www.livebinders.com/b/2574221

• **LiveBinder: Structuring the Classroom Live Binder: https://www.livebinders.com/b/1733288

• **LiveBinder: FBA Resources: https://www.livebinders.com/b/2883554

• Password: FBABIP

• **LiveBinder: In-Home Training and Parent Training - https://www.livebinders.com/b/1534499

The Multilingual Interest Group is open to all school psychologists, supervisors, faculty, and students. You do not have to be bilingual/multilingual to participate, as our focus is to support those who work with multilingual children and families.

Although you do not have to be a NASP member to participate in our meetups, we encourage you to join NASP or renew your membership here. NASP offers many member benefits and advocacy for the kids we serve and the profession!

If you would like to become a Trainer of Trainers for Ukeru at your school(s), consider attending a 2-day training at the ESC6. If you are already a trainer, we will offer a 1-day recertification, too. Please register here.

Mark your calendar!

All are virtual meetings and Meeting times vary.

Parent Support Group - Second Tuesday of the month

addaoffice@pdq.net

Northwest Arkansas - Third Monday of the Month

julie@moveforwardwithadhd.com

Adult Support Group - Third Thursday of the month

addaoffice@pdq.net

Fort Bend Support Group - Last Tuesday of the month

ftbendaddasr@gmail.com

In Person Meeting

MESQUITE – Every other month,

2nd Tuesdays, 7-8 pm, Sept., Nov., Feb., April.

Professional Development Center,

3819 Towne Crossing Blvd, Mesquite, 75150

Kellie Smith, 972 882-7519, kesmith@mesquiteisd.org

All sessions are virtual, and there is no charge. While the sessions are developed with parents in mind, district staff are welcome to attend.

January 28 - Behavior Basics for Parents, Caregivers, and Staff Enhancing Positive Behavior Support - #555580

March 25 - I Need a Break (for Adults!): Self-Care Strategies and Techniques to Keep Being Awesome - #555583

May 6 - Surviving the Summer: Increasing Self-Play Skills and Activity Engagement During Summer Breaks - #555587

If you have any questions, please contact Pam Bumpass at pbumpass@esc6.net

For parents, potty training can be a practice in patience. It often involves masterful negotiation, knowing when to celebrate the small victories, and a whole lot of potty-related accidents! But when a child has outgrown the potty-training stage, and they’re repeatedly pooping in their underwear, it might be time to seek outside help.

That’s why this week at childmind.org we're discussing encopresis, or consistent bowel movements anywhere other than the toilet after the age of four. We explore why it happens — typically chronic constipation — and how it’s treated. And we cover ways you can help children, including those with autism spectrum disorder, learn healthy bathroom practices. We also take a look at urination problems. This is normal for little kids who haven’t quite figured out when to use the toilet yet, but it becomes a bigger problem if they’re bedwetting beyond the age of five. At that point, your child might be diagnosed with the disorder enuresis and will need help learning bladder control. Toileting issues can be hard for a kid, so we offer strategies to help deal with embarrassment. One of our clinical experts weighs in on why these issues might also make the other kids in the house feel some anxiety, and how to address their concerns.

— Faith Wilkins, Staff Writer

Child Mind Institute - Education

Fabiana Bezerra, LSSP, NCSP

ESC 6 Behavior & Autism Specialist for Special Education

Email: fbezerra@esc6.net
Website: https://www.esc6.net/
Location: Education Service Center Region 6, Montgomery Road, Huntsville, TX, USA
Phone: 936-435-8252
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESC6SPED/
Twitter: @escregion6