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Special Education for School Aged Children in Pennsylvania: A Guide for Families

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Special Education for School Aged Children in Pennsylvania: A Guide for Families

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June 2024

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Updated May, 2024

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Upcoming Sensory Events in Huntingdon County

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Upcoming Sensory Events in Huntingdon County

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Parent's Rights: Understanding the Procedural Safeguards Notice

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Parent's Rights: Understanding the Procedural Safeguards Notice

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Keystone Scholars-Free $100 for pa529 account

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Keystone Scholars-Free $100 for pa529 account

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Updated December, 2023

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Free self paced online IEP course for Familes!

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 More Information about the Penguin Project

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 More Information about the Penguin Project

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The saying goes... "If it plays in Peoria, it will play anywhere!" Well, it has played in Peoria, but this is not your typical theatre production...

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Once a year, a magical and touching celebration of the human spirit unfolds at numerous theaters across the country. A group of children in a program called The Penguin Project take to the stage to perform a modified version of a well-known Broadway musical. These productions are unique, however, because all the roles are filled by young artists with developmental disabilities including Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities visual impairment, hearing impairment, and other neurological disorders. They are joined on stage by a dedicated group of "peer mentors" - children the same age without disabilities who have volunteered to work side-by-side with them through 4 months of rehearsals and through the final performance. By providing access to community theater, The Penguin Project demonstrates that the special challenges of a disability should not handicap a child's ability to participate in life's experiences.

Established in 2004, The Penguin Project has evolved into a National program, with Chapter sites throughout the United States. The program provides a supportive environment for children with disabilities to explore their creative talents. It has also demonstrated that participation in the performing arts has therapeutic value by enhancing social interaction, communication skills, self-confidence and self-esteem. The impact of the program has reached beyond the stage to create a social network for children who previously had very few friends and limited social opportunities.

"Our penguins may not be able to fly, but that does not prevent their spirits from soaring."

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The saying goes... "If it plays in Peoria, it will play anywhere!" Well, it has played in Peoria, but this is not your typical theatre production... THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! About Us Once a year, a magical and touching celebration of the human spirit unfolds at numerous theaters across the country.

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New Request for Consent for a Reevaluation Form-Annotated (As of 11/1/23)

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New Request for Consent for a Reevaluation Form-Annotated (As of 11/1/23)

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New Prior Written Notice for a Reevaluation Form-Annotated (11/1/23)

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New Prior Written Notice for a Reevaluation Form-Annotated (11/1/23)

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Student-Led IEP Resource Hub from PaTTAN

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Do you want to learn more about the Student-Led IEP Process (SLIEP)? Keep scrolling to answer who, what, when, where, why,and how YOU can be part of the Student-Led IEP Process! Are you interested in Professional Development or Technical Assistance from PaTTAN about the Student-Led IEP

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Special Education Resources for Families

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Special Education Resources for Families

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Special Education Resources for Families

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Student Led IEP Meetings-For Youth and Families

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Student Led IEP Meetings-For Youth and Families

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Student-Led IEP (SLIEP) Team Meetings: An Introduction for Youth and Families

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DATE CHANGE  LTF with Registration Links (1)

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The local task force is a parent/family network group for families that have a child with a disability. Membership consists primarily of like-minded parents of school aged children residing in the TIU 11 area that wish to support their sons or daughters as they navigate through the special education process. Other members include educators and local agency representatives. The goal of the group is to support parents through training, resource sharing, and networking so that they can work with their Local Education Agency (LEA) in a positive, proactive manner.

If you are interested in participating in the Local Task Force or learning more, please contact the Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11 Special Education Department at 814-542-2501 x1126.
2023-2024 LTF Meeting Schedule:

September 27, 2023 - 2:00-3:30 PM

November 15, 2023 - 6:00-7:30 PM

January 24, 2024 - 9:30-11:00 AM

March 27, 2024 - 6:00-7:30 PM

May 15, 2024 - 2:00-3:30 PM

All meetings are held virtually via Zoom on Wednesdays. Please contact Staci Young - Sample Trainings Offered Through the Task Force:

What is an IEP and how can I become an active participant?

Inclusion - What is it?

Behavior and my child.

Transition out of school - What does life after high school hold for my child and family?

Why does my child struggle with reading? What can I do to help?

What is Autism and does my child demonstrate the behaviors associated with this?

My child had a Traumatic Brain Injury - What does that mean for his/her learning?

syoung@tiu11.org When Does the State Task Force Meet? All meetings are held virtually on Zoom from 10:00 AM -12:00 PM. For more information visit: https://www.pattan.net/Partners/State-Task-Force for Zoom meeting login information.
Additional information and resources can be found on our Local Task Force Resource Padlet

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TIU Local Task Force # 11 The local task force is a parent/family network group for families that have a child with a disability. Membership consists primarily of like-minded parents of school aged children residing in the TIU 11 area that wish to support their sons or daughters as they navigate through the special education ...

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Local Task Force Printable Brochure 23-24 (4)

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The Miracle League Inspires

When your loved one plays for the Miracle League of Blair County, we want to see them succeed. We want to see them build on their successful moments in baseball and carry those moments into life. When they encounter obstacles, we want to see them meet and overcome those obstacles, so they can continue on a path of success.

"Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is." - Bullet Bob Feller

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When your loved one plays for the Miracle League of Blair County, we want to see them succeed. We want to see them build on their successful moments in baseball and carry those moments into life. When they encounter obstacles, we want to see them meet and overcome those obstacles, so they can continue on a path of success.

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Our intent is to provide a remarkable opportunity to all students and volunteers both with and without disabilities. Harmony is a great way to build relationships, promote inclusion, develop emotional awareness, improve communication, and sel f-expression. In order to create harmony, students and volunteers must work together to create one voice.

A message from the Harmony Executive Board

Our students' and volunteers' safety is extremely important to us. After considering guidelines from both the CDC and Penn State University, we have decided to return to in-person rehearsals for HarMINIs and Harmony for the Fall 2022 semester with all students and volunteers wearing masks. We are continuing to monitor the number of COVID-19 cases and are prepared to adapt our plans for the spring semester if guidelines change. We strongly advise our volunteers and students to wear KN95 masks or to double up on masks.

We are optimistic and excited to hold yet another amazing semester of Harmony. We will be reaching out to our participants and their families within the coming weeks with more information.

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Our intent is to provide a remarkable opportunity to all students and volunteers both with and without disabilities. Harmony is a great way to build relationships, promote inclusion, develop emotional awareness, improve communication, and sel f-expression. In order to create harmony, students and volunteers must work together to create one voice.

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Early Intervention Technical Assistance Portal

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Early Intervention Technical Assistance Portal

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Early Intervention Technical Assistance Online Learning Portal

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Welcome! The information on this page is geared to help families connect with other families and get more involved in shaping Early Intervention services at the local and statewide levels. Also included are some key resources that may be of interest to you as you support your child's learning and development and begin to navigate and understand the Early Intervention and Early Childhood programs in Pennsylvania. Lastly, links to some of the important forms that are used in Early Intervention are included on these pages.

Come back to the page often, as we plan on highlighting family stories and resources on a regular basis.

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Families - Early Intervention Technical Assistance Online Learning Portal

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Early Intervention Services and Supports: Facts for Families Early Intervention Services and Supports: Facts for Families will answer your questions about what to expect from Early Intervention, who provides services, what services will look like, and how services support families and children's learning in daily activities in home, childcare, preschool and the community.

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Understanding the Language of Special Education

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Understanding the Language of Special Education

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Understanding the Language of Special Education

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Special Education Initial Evaluation and IEP Process

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Special Education Initial Evaluation and IEP Process

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Special Education Evaluation and IEP Process

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Let's Introduce You to the IEP Team-Video Resource

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Let's Introduce You to the IEP Team-Video Resource

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Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

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The PEAL Center: PA's Statewide Parent Training and Information Center

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The PEAL Center: PA's Statewide Parent Training and Information Center

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Pennsylvania families who have children with disabilities and/or special health care needs from birth to age 26. PEAL also educates self-advocates and youth on self-advocacy, self-determination, and leadership development.

What Can Families and Self-Advocates Expect From the PEAL Center?

PEAL, Pennsylvania's Statewide Parent Training and Information Center, gives families and self-advocates safe and confidential support to help you through any situation. PEAL is an organization of parents of children with disabilities and/or special health care needs who bring knowledge and experience as a resource for education and special health care information and resources in Pennsylvania.

The Types of Services available to Families and Self Advocates at absolutely no cost:

PEAL helps families and self-advocates see new possibilities through knowledge about special education and advocacy, as well as leadership development. PEAL's services are available at no cost to families, in both English and Spanish. These services include:

1. Connection to trained Parent Advisors who provide individual assistance by phone, email or in-person. Support is available in English and Spanish. Families can call or contact our Intake Coordinator Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, messages will be returned in the order they are received, by:

2. Trainings across Pennsylvania on important topics for families, self-advocates, and professionals

3. Online training and resources on a variety of topics

4. An online calendar of disability-related events in Pennsylvania

5. Intensive leadership development for families and youth

And so much more!

What Types of Disabilities and What Ages Does PEAL Support?

PEAL serves families of children with all kinds of disabilities, whether they are physical, learning, emotional, cognitive, sensory, etc. The disability can be mild to significant; our services are not limited to one disability category. PEAL has the expertise to support families throughout their child's life journey, serving families with babies (birth), school-age children and young adults (to age 26), as well as advising and supporting self-advocates and youth-related transitioning to adulthood (college, employment, independent living, vocational rehabilitation, etc.).

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Pennsylvania families who have children with disabilities and/or special health care needs from birth to age 26. PEAL also educates self-advocates and youth on self-advocacy, self-determination, and leadership development. PEAL, Pennsylvania's Statewide Parent Training and Information Center, gives families and self-advocates safe and confidential support to help you through any situation.

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Interested in Joining LTF 11? Complete our Survey!

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Interested in Joining LTF 11? Complete our Survey!

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The Local Task Force (LTF) is a group of like-minded parents that wish to support their son or daughter as they navigate through the special education process. The goal of the group is to support parents through training, resource sharing, and networking so that they can work with their Local Education Agency (LEA) in a positive, proactive manner.

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Introducing the Arc of PA's Include Me Connection Club (IMCC)!

Previously known as the After School Hangout Series, the IMCC aims to establish meaningful and authentic connections among diverse student populations across the state of Pennsylvania.

Designed for 3rd - 5th graders of diverse abilities and interests, these virtual club meetings will offer creative opportunities for students to connect through games, activities, and student-driven discussions. Each club meeting will be facilitated by our engaging and energetic staff.

MARCH CLUB MEETING DATES:
Tuesday March 21 from 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Tuesday, March 28, from 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Our March theme is "WE CAN BE HEROES!"
APRIL CLUB MEETING DATES:
Tuesday, April 18 from 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Tuesday, April 25 from 5:30 - 6:30 pm

MAY CLUB MEETING DATES:
Tuesday, May 23 from 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Tuesday, May 30 from 5:30 - 6:30 pm

If interested in joining the club, SIGN UP HERE

For more information: contact: Nick Webster at nwebster@includemepa.org.

Watch the video below with your child or student and find out a bit more
about Include Me Connection Club!

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Previously known as the After School Hangout Series, the IMCC aims to establish meaningful and authentic connections among diverse student populations across the state of Pennsylvania. Designed for 3rd - 5th graders of diverse abilities and interests, these virtual club meetings will offer creative opportunities for students to connect through games, activities, and student-driven discussions.

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Adolescent Grief Support Group-Huntingdon, PA

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Adolescent Grief Support Group-Huntingdon, PA

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**1st and 3rd Monday of the month
**Lasts about one hour

**Contact Karen Rush karenr.firstcenter@gmail.com for more information

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2,500

DRP operates a toll-free intake system available to all Pennsylvanians, providing legal advice, advocacy, and/or information and referral services to over 2,500 callers annually.

10

DRP participates in approximately 10 outreach events annually to provide information about our services to people with disabilities, family members, advocates, and professionals.

50

DRP provides approximately 50 trainings and presentations annually to people with disabilities, family members, advocates, and professionals on a variety of topics relating to disability rights.

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Disability Rights Pennsylvania | Protecting and Advancing the Rights of People with Disabilities

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Disability Rights Pennsylvania (DRP) is an independent, statewide, non-profit corporation designated as the federally-mandated protection and advocacy agency in Pennsylvania.

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Central PA Autism Walk: Saturday, May 18, 2024

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Central PA Autism Walk: Saturday, May 18, 2024