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

FETA Group - Sacramento Meeting

Sunday, May 19 (3:00-4:30 pm)

Starbucks, 1401 Alhambra Blvd. (at N Street)

Sacramento, CA

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.

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....)

The Informed Advocates Are Here!

November 18, 2012 marks the kickoff Meet & Greet of the very first cohort for FETA Group  Sacramento, a new study and support group for parents, care providers, and others who are advocating for and with students in special education.

This was an informal gathering to get to know members and discuss the format for the group.

To join the group, there is still time. Contact the FETA Group Sacramento organizer, Angie, for more information.

One of the highlights of the meeting was an an activity that brought to focus the role of an advocate and what members view as their adovacy job descriptions.