Parent Center Updates

• Virginia Parent Center Wins 2010 TATRA Award for Excellence
• DREDF Completes Transportation Topic Guides

Announcements & News

• TA&D Center of the Month: National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials
• National Priority Survey Conducted by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD)

Resources

• New Project CONNECT Resources
• Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens: A Parents Guide
• State Disability Policy Survey
• Parents and Child Care Report
• Disability History Timeline

Technology

• UDL Book Builder
• ¡TraduceloAhora!

Nonprofit Management

• Technology Fundraising Tools
• ALLIANCE Management Manual

Parent Center Updates

Virginia Parent Center Wins 2010 TATRA Award for Excellence

The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) is the recipient of PACER Center’s TATRA Project (Technical Assistance on Transition and the Rehabilitation Act) 2010 Award for Excellence in Transition-focused Parent Training. PEATC, the parent information and training center serving families and professionals of children with disabilities in Virginia, received the TATRA award in recognition for its series of NEXT STEPS transition webinars. The webinars were developed in collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University as part of PEATC’s multifaceted NEXT STEPS transition training program. More>>>

DREDF Completes Transportation Topic Guides

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) recently completed seven Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transportation topic guides. The project was funded by the Federal Transit Administration and covers issues such as paratransit and equipment maintenance.  DREDF holds a Parent Training and Information Center and Community Parent Resource Center grant and is directed by Susan Henderson. More>>>

Announcements & News

TA&D Center of the Month: National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials

The National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM Center) at CAST recently posted archived trainings on a variety of topics including AIM basics, decision-making, and collaboration to ensure timely distribution of accessible materials. The AIM Center is directed by Chuck Hitchcock and works with key stakeholders such as states, districts, and an OSEP-supported network of technical assistance and dissemination projects to support the implementation of NIMAS and effective uses of accessible instructional materials (AIM). More>>>

National Priority Survey Conducted by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD)

The Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) is fielding a short 5-question survey through the end of August. It should take less than 10 minutes to answer the questions. ADD wants to use the ideas they collect from individuals with disabilities, their families, and the network of service providers and of the public in general to shape the direction of new services. Take the survey>>>

Resources

New Project CONNECT Resources

CONNECT (The Center to Mobilize Early Childhood Knowledge, an OSEP-funded TA&D Network Center) has recently released two new free web-based modules. A transition module focuses on practices to support children and families as they move among various types of early childhood services and programs. CONNECT’s Embedded Interventions module is also now available in Spanish. CONNECT modules are free and designed using an evidence-based approach to professional development. Resources include video clips, activities, and handouts designed for instructors and learners. The modules are focused on teaching and intervening effectively with young children in a variety of early learning environments and inclusive settings and are designed to be embedded into existing curricula, coursework and other professional development opportunities. More>>>

Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens: A Parents Guide

This booklet from the National Institute on Mental Health provides information to parents who suspect their child has bipolar disorder or have children who have been recently diagnosed. The publication includes information on symptoms, co-occurring conditions, treatment, and resources. More>>>

State Disability Policy Survey

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Council of State Governments released a survey of 31 state disability policies representing health, education, employment, and other programs. The document is meant to provide examples for initiatives other states may want to implement. More>>>

Parents and Child Care Report

The National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) released a new report highlighting data about child care costs for infants, 4-year-old children and school-age children in child care centers and family child care homes across the country. The findings provide data about the rising cost of child care compared to other family expenses and income. More>>>

Disability History Timeline

The new disability history timeline from the National Consortium on Leadership and Disability for Youth (NCLD/Y) was designed to help youth with and without disabilities to learn about the rich history of people with disabilities. Starting shortly before the United States was founded, the guide features examples of the remarkable diversity, creativity, and leadership that have shaped the disability community and American culture. More>>>

Technology

UDL Book Builder

CAST’s Book Builder website is a free online tool where users can create, share, publish, and read digital books. The site informs users about universal design for learning principles and supports and engages diverse learners. More>>>

¡TraduceloAhora!

¡TraduceloAhora! is an automatic Spanish translation software program that provides bi-directional English-Spanish translations of emails, websites, and web searches. Through a grant from IBM, Parent Center staff can register and share this exciting resource with families. More>>>

Nonprofit Management

Technology Fundraising Tools

Check out the collection of articles, webinars, and blogs from TechSoup.org discussing innovative ways to integrate technology into fundraising efforts.

ALLIANCE Management Manual

Remember the ALLIANCE Management Manual for PTIs and CPRCs is available online in the Parent Center log-in section of parentcenternetwork.org. Check out all the great resources including sample forms, board check lists, office management tools, and more! More>>>