11/23/13

FETA Group Sacramento - Next Meet-Up is December 8, 2013.

Join FETA (From Emotions to Advocacy) Group, Sacramento - The Special Education Survival Guide discussion group for the next monthly meet-up!

Connect with other PARENTS WHO GET IT!!
Often the most beneficial supports a parent of child who receives special education services can have is getting together with other parents. Parents who understand can help each other by sharing their experiences and giving real life examples that will help others in their situations. 


Sunday, December 8, 2014
3:00-4:30 p.m.
Espresso Metro
2104 11th Ave. (at Freeport Blvd.)
Sacramento, CA 95818
Neighborhood: Curtis Park
Map

This group is open to the public. There is no cost to participate other than to buy your own book.


Espresso Metro

8/2/13

Developing a Master Plan For Your Child's Future

Why A Master Plan?

In Chapter 2, we focused on the MASTER PLAN. If you want your child to grow up to be an independent adult, think about what he/she needs to learn before leaving the public school system,

Typical *Transition Plans through the school district often happen too late (age 14-16). Start building towards that plan now! Modify the plan as the child grows and matures.

Whether a child has special needs or not -- this is one of the most important things a parent can do for their child.

You can do this whether or not you are participating in the FETA cohort study group. We will provide some tools below. 

What is a master plan?


MASTER PLAN is like a strategic plan and generally contains the same types of elements. Many of us follow strategic plans everyday where we work, and we know that we have to in order to be successful in our jobs. Most of us fail to plan in our personal lives. Having a plan with strategies and goals can help our families get to where we want to be in life. Imagine also weaving in long term life plans for your child into your family's master plan. This is different than the status quo, simply going from year to year, thinking about short term annual IEP goals and hoping for the best. 

Wrightslaw refers to the five main components of the master plan:

  1. VISION STATEMENT
  2. MISSION STATEMENT
  3. GOALS
  4. STRATEGIES
  5. TIMELINES
How to fill in your plan:

7/23/13

FETA Group Meeting This Sunday, July 28, 2013 - Connect, Share, Listen, Learn!

Announcing...The Next FETA Sacramento Meeting:


Sunday, July 28
3:00-4:30 p.m.


Connect with other PARENTS WHO GET IT!!

Often the most beneficial support a parent of child who receives special education services can have is getting together with other parents. Parents who understand can help each other by sharing their experiences and giving real life examples that will help others in their situations. 

FETA (From Emotions to Advocacy) Group, Sacramento - The Special Education Survival Guide discussion group monthly meet-up! 

6/13/13

Learning More About Your Child's Rights and Disability!

The end of the school year is approaching quickly. I know many of us are cramming to get in an IEP meeting.

Don't panic. Parents, don't let yourself feel rushed, especially about agreeing on a plan that is not right for your child. It is important to be familiar with your child's needs and rights!

Prepare, prepare, prepare by learning more about your child's rights and disability!




5/5/13

Next FETA Group Meeting - Sunday, May 19 - Planned Activity "About Me" Flyer

FETA Group - Sacramento Meeting
Sunday, May 19 (3:00-4:30 pm)

Join us for a special education study and discussion group meeting for parents and caregivers.

 


FETA Group utilizes the Wrightslaw From Emotions to Advocacy, Special Education Survival Guide. We are on Section 2 - Advocacy 101 (chapters 4-7). Check out the FETA Web on Wrightslaw for additional information and related articles on these chapters. Very helpful! http://www.fetaweb.com/101.htm.

PLANNED ACTIVITY: 

About Me Flyer


As a follow up activity to making a master plan for your child's education, we will work on creating an "About Me" flyer, showing strengths, interests, challenges, needs, and strategies for helping your child to be successful. Keep this flyer handy to present to new care providers, teachers, school staff (e.g., yard duty), and school volunteers. 

Did you know that not everyone at school sees the IEP (Individualized Education Plan). It is essential for parents to take the lead in communicating IEP information with all relevant parties. The "About Me" flyer is a quick reference, but make sure the teacher, and any others who work with your child regularly at the school, have a full copy of the IEP and ask to meet with them to review it.


Goals of the activity: Create a tool to promote greater understanding and awareness about your child. Enable individuals who are interacting with or working with your child to better understand and assist them. May be helpful for utilization in social, recreational, family, and healthcare settings, as well as at school.

2/25/13

Great FETA discussion group meeting with awesome parents sharing IEP experiences and encouragement!!

The FETA Group Sacramento recently got together for a truly great meeting.

A few HIGHLIGHTS:

 (1) Being an effective parent advocate = PREPARATION. Always go to the IEP meeting as prepared as possible. If you feel that your child's IEP meeting was rushed, you can meet again with the IEP team. You do not have to sign the IEP document at the meeting. Don't feel pressured. If you have any hesitation, tell your team you need more time to review everything. You also have the right to receive copies of all assessments and IEP goal progress reports to review prior to the meeting so that you are fully prepared for the meeting. Be sure to put your request in writing.

(2) Parents often feel frustrated with a lack of communication about how their child is doing in school. As a parent, be actively involved in monitoring and observing your child's progress. Parents also reported that the more involved they are at school, the better the communication is, as well as (Read more....)