FACE to Face

We look forward to partnering with your families throughout this year! YOU are a vital part of your student’s success in every stage of education. To ensure the best future for your students, continue to share your families’ hopes, dreams, and concerns with their team and include your student’s voices early and often. We are ALL here to support you. Join FACE for one of our many opportunities, or contact us with suggestions, comments, or concerns.

We look forward to partnering with you for your student’s success in 2024!

Families can join us at Neuwoehner High School for interactive classes, community vendors, networking opportunities, music, light refreshments, and fun learning! Sessions will include ways to support your student with literacy, math, self-determination at all ages, social-emotional learning, and transition support within school settings and beyond.

The Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis will present and are bringing several summer camp vendors. Families that attend can speak with camp vendors to learn about recreation and camp options for their student.

Families are welcome to join at any point throughout the day and can stay for as many sessions as they wish. Family-to-family networking, light refreshments, and community vendors will be available during the entire event.

Check out the schedule of events on our website: www.ssdmo.org/FamilyAcademy

Visit with partners in the Family Resource Hub, located inside North Tech High School, as they provide resources, information, and additional supports to our families.

Community Action Agency of St. Louis County (CAASTLC) provides our community with additional support and access to resources that promote healthy families and thriving communities. A representative from CASSTLC will be available to provide information and access to many of their programs, including the Low-Income Home Energy Program (LIHEAP) and Water Assistance Program (LIWAP).

The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation will provide our community with additional support and access to resources that support employment after transition. A representative from VR will be available to provide information on many of their programs, including VR Youth Services, Pre-Employment Transition Services (pre-ETS), and share supports for families.

SSD's FACE welcomes all families into Special School District with a Virtual Open House. Families can receive an introduction to the services and resources available through SSD. These virtual meetings invite all families into our learning community as equal partners throughout the learning process, symbolizing that FACE's door is always open!

PAWS (Preparing Adults for Work and Society) is an inclusive post-secondary option for students with intellectual disabilities. Preparing Adults for Work and Society is a residential program for post-secondary students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One of only a few inclusive programs of its kind in the country, PAWS — which is modeled after a similar program at the University of Missouri–St. Louis — will promote job skills, independent living skills and social skills for a population that is significantly underemployed and underpaid compared to the general public.

The Alternatives to Guardianship Project helps people with developmental disabilities avoid or terminate unnecessary guardianships by using safe and legal alternatives. It encourages and assists parents, educators, judges, lawyers, physicians, and other professionals to implement such alternatives whenever feasible. It promotes the adoption of public policies and systemic changes to protect the rights of people with developmental disabilities, ensuring equal rights and access to justice. These activities are accomplished through research, education, counseling, and advocacy.

Join FACE for a Family Cafe! Cafes are hosted by families for families. They provide parents and caregivers with a safe and welcoming space to connect and learn from each other. They are centered on the Strengthening Families Protective Factors: Resilience, Relationships, Knowledge, Support, and Communication.

Family Cafes are hosted in the North Tech High School Library (1700 Derhake Road, Florissant, MO 63033). Interpreters can be provided but must be scheduled in advance. Please contact a FACE representative by emailing face@ssdmo.org. Childcare is not provided for these events.

In the second half of this session, attendees will expand on previous lessons which discussed crisis procedures in the home and reinforcing alternative behaviors, a review of acceptance and commitment therapy strategies, and a focus on present moment and diffusion techniques.

Part 1 of this session was held on Oct. 9 and the recording can be found on the District's YouTube channel.

Register for this virtual event. Unable to attend but still interested in the information? Register and a recorded version will be emailed to you within a week after the event.

Looking for great resources to help your family learn and grow together? Check out SSD's YouTube channel and the FACE Workshops playlist! We have a wide variety of content available on demand, including tutorials, educational videos, and more!

Keep an eye out on the St. Louis Recreation Council's website for the Summer 2024 Recreation Guide. This guide will provide you with the information you need to find a program or activity that is just right for your family.

UCP Heartland is offering Youth Camps this summer for students ages 6-20 with differing abilities. Their camps provide:

• Fun activities including sports, arts & crafts, cooking and games
• Opportunities to enhance social skills and learn life skills
• Explore the community
• Make new friends
• Enjoy camp in a welcoming, supportive environment
• Ratio of 1 staff member to 3 campers
• Parents gain peace of mind knowing your child is in a safe and nurturing environment
• Convenient hours of service
• Medication (oral and topical) and G-Tube feedings can be administered with a doctor’s order

Learn more or register on the UCP Heartland website.

Does your family struggle with establishing routines? Research shows that well-established routines at home are linked to the development of social skills and academic success in children. Check out this handy guide with tips and guiding questions you might use as you discover your families’ get ready for school routine.

The Library of Things is a collection of non-traditional materials including musical instruments, fishing equipment, games, kits, puzzles and more - all available to check out for free with a library card. Have a one-time project we can help with or want to try before you buy? Explore the collection and discover your next new "thing" to borrow! Learn more on the SLCL website.