The WSPEI Connector

Welcome to December and winter weather! 🌨️

This newsletter brings more WSPEI Virtual Trainings to warm up your learning as the colder months approach. We've made it easier for you to sign up with a new page on our website that directs you straight to registration forms! Find the link below.

Additionally, we’re sharing new guidance from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, along with newsletters from our partners, WI FACETS and the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities, who are dedicated to supporting families.

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

Calendar of Events

Webpage to link directly to Registration Forms

Partnering with Schools on Behavior and Discipline for Students with IEPs.

This workshop will help participants understand how all policies apply to all children, including those with disabilities; build awareness of IDEA protections for students with disabilities in regard to discipline; understand dispute resolution options in Wisconsin.

• December 13, 2024 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• All are welcome! Families, Educators, Community Organizations and Agencies

Link to Flyer with Details and Registration Information

Link to Flyer in Spanish

Partnering with Schools on Behavior and Discipline for Students with IEPs.

NEW In-Person Hybrid Option in Southeast Wisconsin

Friday, December 13, 2024, 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

In-Person at TWO locations!

1. CESA 1: N25 W23131 Paul Road, Suite 100, Pewaukee, WI 53072

2. South Milwaukee High School Library – 801 15th Ave, South Milwaukee, WI 53172

Click Here to Learn More and Register

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 on Mondays from 6-7:30 pm January 6, 13 & 20, 2025.
• Educators are encouraged to participate as well!

Click Here for Flier with more details and Registration

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION FORM

Engaging & Supporting Families Through Groups & Networks

A 4-part workshop series for families of a child with an IEP, Community Agency Members, and Educators using the Serving on Groups curriculum:

• Fridays from 9:00 - 11:00 am January 17, January 31, February 14 & February 28, 2025

• 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.

Click Here for flier with more details and registration link

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION FORM

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.

• Two sessions on Mondays 4:00 p.m. -5:30 p.m.
• Session 1 Topics: Acronyms/Terms; Birth-3; Pre-School; Communication
• Session 2 Topics: Evaluation Reports; IEPs; Transition(PTP); General Information.
• Session dates: 2/3/25 & 2/10/25

Click Here for flier with more details and registration link

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION FORM

MONTHLY LEARNING AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

Family Support Community

A monthly learning opportunity designed for families and other caregivers supporting a child(ren) with a disability. Two meeting options are available.

• The first Wednesday of the month from 7-8 pm: REGISTER FOR WEDNESDAY FSC HERE
• The first Thursday of every month from 12-1:00 pm: REGISTER FOR THURSDAY FSC HERE
• Our Community meetings provide valuable learning opportunities and mutual support.
• These meetings take place from September through May.

Link to:

FLYER and Registration

Flyer in Spanish

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.

Click Here to Register for CoPL

FLYER with scheduled dates

Flyer in Spanish

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.
• January 29, February 12 & February 26, 2025

Link to flier with details and registration

Link to Registration Form

WI FACETS is Wisconsin’s Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) funded through the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs.

WI FACETS has a large variety of resources, upcoming trainings, and webinar recordings to help families navigate special education.

Check out the WI FACETS Training Calendar, WI FACETS Webinar Recordings as well as WI FACETS resources webpages.

The December Newsletter highlights the importance of Prior Written Notice in the IEP Process. As well as upcoming WI FACETS events and important resources for families.

December 2024 Newsletter in English

December 2024 Newsletter in Spanish

DPI’s new document, Considerations for Interruptions in IEP Service Delivery, provides guidance to IEP teams related to missed sessions and contains examples of service interruptions, actions required, and important points to consider.

We want all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to have the lives they want. Yet, we know that not all people are living the lives they want because of racism and discrimination. We commit to finding and addressing these inequities at BPDD and in the service systems. We will listen, we will learn, and we will achieve change.

Information on Governor Ever’s Listening Sessions and Upcoming webinars are featured in this month’s newsletter:

Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities December Newsletter

23rd Annual Wisconsin Transition Conference

Join hundreds of your colleagues at the 23rd Annual Transition Conference. In addition to keynote speakers SHELLEY MOORE and Mary Morningstar, the conference will have over 20 breakout sessions and built in networking time.

Dates: February 13-14, 2025

Location: Kalahari Resort and Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells, WI

Link to Registration

36th Annual Autism Conference-Save the Date

Dates: April 3-5, 2025

Location: Kalahari Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells, WI

Circles of Life-Save the Date

Circles of Life is Wisconsin’s annual conference for families who have children with disabilities and the professionals who support them.

Our theme for 2025 is Overcoming Barriers.

Registration is not yet open.

Dates: May 8-9, 2025

Location: Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI

Go to https://go.wisc.edu/55292u to receive information on how to join us from 9am-11am to learn more about Early Identification and Autism.

Link to Website for Program Information

Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference

January 28, 2025 8:15 am-4:30 pm, Virtual on Zoom

This free online event is perfect for parents, teachers, and all those who care for children. Learn hands-on tips from leading experts for raising healthy, resilient kids. This year, we’re focusing on unlocking the power of social and emotional skills in children and teens!

Learn More about Schedule and Speakers Here

REGISTER HERE

Free or low-cost on-going classes for families:

Click Here for Upcoming Classes Schedule

Information provided on this form will help us connect you to your local Family-School Partnership Coordinator:

Click this link for Support Request Form

Email feedback and ideas of resources and information you would like to see from WSPEI

Email: wspei@cesa12.org
Website: https://wspei.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WisconsinStatewideParentEducatorInitiative

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 contract project.