IN*SOURCE

Understanding the Importance of Inclusion in Education

Inclusion in special education is the education of all students, regardless of ability, in the general education setting. Students with special needs may require special aids and services in order to be served in the general education setting. Research supports better outcomes for all students when children of all abilities are included. This training dispels myths, discusses research, and cites federal laws that support the inclusive education of children with special needs. Parents will learn how to use the principles of federal law (IDEA) to talk to their school team about inclusion.

Cómo Prepararse Para Su Conferencia Del Caso De La Educación Especial

Las conferencias de casos pueden ser confusas y estresantes para los padres. Esta sesión ayuda a los padres a identificar temas de preocupación, organizar documentos, preparar información y comunicarse de manera efectiva durante la conferencia del caso. Esta clase ayudará a los padres a convertirse en el mejor defensor de sus hijos y a construir relaciones positivas con el personal de la escuela.

Preparing for Your Child's Special Education Case Conference

Case conferences can be confusing and stressful for parents. This session helps parents identify issues of concern, organize documents, prepare information, and communicate effectively during the case conference. This class will help parents become their child's best advocate and build positive relationships with school personnel

IN*SOURCE: A Parent Center & the Parent Support Volunteer Program

A Parent Training and Information Center (or PTI) is a terrific information resource for parents of children with disabilities. Every state has at least one PTI. In Indiana, the PTI is the Indiana Resource Center for Families with Special Needs or IN*SOURCE. This webinar will provide information about IN*SOURCE and the services we provide to parents and families of children with special education needs and to professionals in the disability community. 

The second part of our webinar will focus on our parent support volunteer program, what it is, and how you can join other parents who support our efforts of helping families throughout the state. 

The Individualized Education Program

An individualized education program (IEP) is a written document, developed by the case conference committee, that describes how a student will access the general education curriculum and the special education and related services needed to participate in the educational environment. This presentation will provide an overview of the components of the IEP and emphasizes parent involvement in the development of the IEP for their child.

Improving Post Secondary Outcomes Using Transition Portfolios

Participants will learn about the new requirement for all students with an IEP beginning with the class of 2023 to have a transition portfolio. Information will be provided about the format, expectations, and desired outcomes for transition portfolios. Participants will be able to understand how portfolios will be developed, what a portfolio will look like for different individuals, and how the portfolio will be a part of the transition planning process.  

Guest Speaker Michelle Oja is an Education Specialist for the Indiana Department of Education within the Office of Special Education. She is the Education Specialist overseeing transition planning (Indicator 13), pre-employment services, graduation pathways, Career and Technical Education, and Choice Schools. She graduated from Nazareth College of Rochester with her bachelor’s degree in English and Inclusive Education and her master’s degree in Adolescent Education. Michelle recently moved from Virginia to Indiana. Before coming to the IDOE, she was a special education teacher working with high school and middle school students for the past ten years.

The Case for Presuming Competence in Students with Disabilities

Ashley Quick, A Project SUCCESS team member and former special education teacher, makes the case for presuming competence in every student, regardless of the presence of a disability. The assumptions we make about students’ abilities impact the quality of outcomes achieved throughout those students’ lives.

Skills for Effective Parent Advocacy

This training is designed to help parents feel more comfortable in the role of advocating for their child at school. Participants will learn what advocacy means, how to improve their advocacy skills, learn to use six skills for effective advocacy, and learn the importance of being organized and using clear and effective communication.

Educación Especial 101

Esta sesión proporciona una descripción breve del proceso de educación especial, con énfasis en el papel del padre en el proceso, las opciones de resolución de conflictos para los padres, y la importancia de la construcción de relaciones buenas entre los padres y la escuela. 

Helping Children with Behavioral Issues

In this podcast I speak with Heather Meyer, LMHC and certified Nurtured Heart Approach trainer about children with difficult behaviors, behavior plans, and how the nurtured heart approach can help these very special children by using a very straight forward and common sense approach.