cbreakstone@sau1.org

Savannah Logsdon-Breakstone, Co-Chair of LTF#6

nicocoer@gmail.com

Amy Smith, IU6 LTF Representative

amy.smith@riu6.org

814-226-7103, x5212

Tammy Starcher, Secretary to the Director of School Age Special Education

tstarcher@riu6.org

814-226-7103, x5105

Hybrid meetings: Join us in person or via zoom

Morning and Evening time scheduled for each meeting

Sep 22, 2025, 1-2 pm and 6-7 pm

Oct 20, 2025, 1-2 pm and 6-7 pm - Public Training with Guest Speaker

Nov 11, 2025, 1-2 pm and 6-7 pm

Dec 15, 2025, 9-10 am and 6-7 pm - Public Training with Guest Speaker

January 12, 2026, 9-10 am and 6-7 pm

February 9, 2026, 9-10 am and 6-7 pm - Public Training with Guest Speaker

March 9, 2026, 9-10 am and 6-7 pm

April 13, 2026, 9-10 am and 6-7 pm - Public Training with Guest Speaker

May 11, 2026, 9-10 am and 6-7 pm

Passcode: +w*^J2@s

Passcode: fac6y83!

7 Ways to Promote Positive Communication with Families

2. Center for Parent Information & Resources (CPIR)
Provides clear guidance on behavior, FBAs, BIPs, and communication tools for families.
Behavior resource collection: www.parentcenterhub.org/...
PBIS-at-home guide (PDF): www.parentcenterhub.org/wp-content/uploads/repo_items/...

3. National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI)
Ideal for early childhood and includes emotion-coaching visuals, routines-based strategies, and culturally responsive practices.
Family resource collection (PDF): challengingbehavior.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/...
Practical strategies page: challengingbehavior.org/implementation/classroom/...

4. CASEL Family Engagement Tools
Supports collaboration through SEL practices that strengthen relationships and positive behaviors.
Family engagement page: casel.org/families

5. Behavior-Specific Praise & At-Home Reinforcement Guides
Many schools use these strategies-families can align praise and reinforcement systems at home.
IRIS Module: Strategies to Address Challenging Behavior

IRIS Skill Sheet – Behavior-Specific Praise

Why These Resources Matter
• Build trust and communication between home and school
• Create consistent expectations that support positive behavior
• Improve understanding of behavior supports and plans
• Encourage culturally responsive, strength-based partnership

https://sptsusa.org/not-my-kid/

from the Statewide Children's Crisis Community of Practice

https://sptsusa.org/not-my-kid/

from the Statewide Children's Crisis Community of Practice

supports families with children who are deaf/hard of hearing, deafblind, or blind/visually impaired.

Adults with Dyslexia Support Group (18 and older) - Last Monday of the month

Means for Office of Developmental Program (ODP)

Services

A few tips:

1. Communicate what you need to communicate.

2. Include affirmative statements: "You're right." "I agree."

3. Present information in smaller chunks.

1. Respectful

2. Positive

3. Listen to Understand

4. Confidential

5. Growth and Learning

6. Diversity of Experiences

is composed of dedicated family members,

educational professionals, and community

members. Funded by Pennsylvania’s State

Personnel Development Grant, F2MAX works

collaboratively to build awareness, empower

families and lead change.

needs by maximizing opportunities in the home,

classroom, and community.

MISSION: Leading change for children with diverse

VISION: Empowering students, families, and

communities to believe that all children can reach

their maximum potential.

​

HUNE is a not for profit organization that provides free bilingual (English and Spanish) programs, supports, and services on all aspects of special education. HUNE’s programs include special education training and information, support, and limited individual assistance for youth with disabilities and families of exceptional children 0-26 years of age.  HUNE also provides an after-school and summer program for youth 14-21 years of age.

inform and train parents of

children with disabilities

to be effective advocates

for their children.

Parent Centers

also inform and train

professionals and

students with disabilties.

Studying the Holocaust provides critical insights into key concepts like democracy, dictatorship, propaganda, collaboration, resistance, and genocide. To support this, a new toolkit provides educators with a range of resources, including videos, lesson plans, and classroom materials that can be adapted for both virtual and in-person learning

The program teaches students that disability is a natural part of the human condition.

The toolkit is inclusive of all age/grade levels. It includes sample lesson plans, professional development offerings/opportunities, ideas for implementing a disability inclusive curriculum, disability-led organizational contacts, and other resources.

• Needs Survey

• Sample Letter to Schools

• Flyers

• Definition of Bullying

• Types of Bullying

• Rough Play, Conflict, Bullying Characteristics

• Policies and Procedures

• Task Forces

• Suicide Prevention Plan

• Curriculum Guidelines

• Prevent Suicide PA (Program)

• Student Programs

• Professional Development

• Crisis Resources

• School Resources and Materials

Hybrid meetings: Join us in person or via zoom

Morning and Evening time scheduled for each meeting

Aug 24, 2026, 11 am -12 pm and 7-8 pm

Venango County Human Services Training Center, 737 Elk St, Franklin, PA

Sep 28, 2026, 11 am - 12 pm and 7-8 pm

Riverview IU6, 270 Mayfield Drive, Clarion, PA

Guest Speaker/Training

Oct 26, 2026, 11 am - 12 pm and 7-8 pm

Brookville Area School District, Brookville, PA

Nov 23, 2026, 11 am - 12 pm and 7-8 pm

Riverview IU6, 270 Mayfield Drive, Clarion, PA

Guest Speaker/Training

Dec 14, 2026, 11 am - 12 pm and 7-8 pm

Venango County Human Services Training Center, 737 Elk St, Franklin, PA

January 11, 2027, 11 am - 12 pm and 7-8 pm

Brookville Area School District, Brookville, PA

February 8, 2027, 11 am - 12 pm and 7-8 pm

Riverview IU6, 270 Mayfield Drive, Clarion, PA

Guest Speaker/Training

March 22, 2027, 11 am - 12 pm and 7-8 pm

Venango County Human Services Training Center, 737 Elk St, Franklin, PA

April 12, 2027, 11 am - 12 pm and 7-8 pm Riverview IU6, 270 Mayfield Drive, Clarion, PA

Guest Speaker/Training

May 10, 2027, 11 am - 12 pm and 7-8 pm

Brookville Area School District, Brookville, PA

Important: Election and Meeting Scheduling

https://sptsusa.org/not-my-kid/

from the Statewide Children's Crisis Community of Practice

1. Speak slower with less force. Be aware of how fast and how forcefully you are speaking.

2. Smile first before any communication.

3. Check for understanding. Most people will not admit they don't understand something. It's up to us to check in with them and make sure they do understand.

"If our first impression is positive, our future impressions are more likely to stay positive."

"A smile can help calm the mood just as an umbrella can help weather a storm."

Many resources are available.

Call: 988

Online: 988lifeline.org

• Connections to special services, resources, consultation, and counseling

• Specialized education for future special education teachers

• Professional development for educators, service providers, and families

• Information about important services, resources, and assistive technology

• Family support group facilitation

RMU Trees Network

Provides services and training to enhance supports for children and adolescents with mild, moderate, or severe intellectual disabilities and their families through professional preparation of teachers, continued professional development of teachers and service providers, and direct services to children and families. To learn more about the recent and upcoming activities of the RMU Trees Network, check out their monthly newsletters or their Facebook Page.

...instead of trying to implement all of these communication tips at once, ask yourself, “What’s one thing I can do right now to improve my communication with my parents and caregivers?” 

And then, just focus on "Just One Thing." 

Maybe it’s making an effort to remove five-dollar words (jargon). Or, maybe it’s changing the way you welcome families, or maybe it’s just a commitment to smile when you see your parents or caregivers.

When you think about your “Just One Thing,” try to come up with something that is easily articulated and achievable. And once your first “Just One Thing” becomes habit, pick another one to try. 

Breaking down this communication work into small bits can help you get started and move forward.  

And, don’t forget to celebrate your successes when you begin to see how effective your “Just One Thing” can be when it comes to communicating and building relationships with families."

Our mission is to… 

educate and empower families to ensure that children, youth and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs lead rich, active lives as full members of their schools and communities.

Waters Edge Christian Services

13226 Leslie Road

Meadville, PA  16334

814-283-2900

watersedge.services

email: watersedge@newbeginningschog.com