For parents of public school children with special needs, special education planning may be confusing or overwhelming. To help these parents, CHP Family Services is offering a free, online workshop, “IEP Training 101” on Wednesday, August, 10th at 6:30 p.m.
Participants may click HERE to register and contact Rania Markham, rmarkham@chpberkshires.org, (413) 528-0457 with any questions. There is no charge for the program.
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Children with special needs are entitled to an individualized education plan (IEP), which is developed in collaboration with parents/caregivers and school education specialists. IEPs are intended to ensure that special needs students receive the best possible education and support services, but parents play an important advocacy role for their child.
"Our main goal is to make sure that everyone in the community has the resources they need to feel comfortable going into IEP 504 meetings," said Markham, workshop co-leader and parent of a child with special needs. "The more information parents have, the better they can communicate with the school and advocate for their child.”
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The event will be facilitated by Rania Markham, CHP Social Work Intern, Parent of a child with an IEP at Southern Berkshire School Director, and Melanie Wickwire, CHP Community Coordinator, Parent of a child with an IEP at Berkshire Hills Regional School District. Guest presenters for the workshop are Karen Mowery, IEP Advocate (for legal questions), Rachelle Walker, Pediatric School Liaison, Kornelia Krzyzanowska, Pediatric Care Coordinator and Dr. Barbara Snyder, Pediatrician.
Zelma Cortez will be providing Spanish-language interpretation for the meeting.
Because of the sensitive nature of what is being discussed, a recording of the event will not be able available. Those that cannot attend but still have questions or are looking to build relationships with other families with children with special needs are encouraged to attend the weekly online support group for families with children with special needs. Power point slides from the workshop are available upon request.
CHP Family Services, 442 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, 01230.
