Newsletter Summer 2007 SPECIAL NEWS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS Summer 2007 2007 Delaware State Fair July 19th-July 28th 2007: Visit all the state agencies including CDW on Health Fair Day! Tuesday, July 24, 2007 8:00 am-2:00 pm Delaware State Fairgrounds South DuPont Highway Harrington, Delaware FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call (302) 398-3269 or e-search http://www.delawarestatefair.com/fair/ and select the button reading “Contact Us,” then complete the requested information fields. Ahhh! Sunny days, thunderstorms, fresh produce, sandy beaches, outdoor festivals and recreation; finally, it feels like summer has come to Delaware! So, let’s take this season to enhance our family fun through improved health, parent advocacy, and enriching new experiences, as well as annual classics, like the Delaware State Fair. Please feel free to contact Jennifer L. Donahue (302-424-7300) or Kellie McKeefery (302-995-8617) with ideas and suggestions of topics of interest or ideas for summer recreational opportunities. Reach us via e-mail at: kellie.mckeefery@state.de.us and jenniferl.donahue@state.de.us Kellie and Jennifer PS: Don’t forget your sunscreen! 2007 Delaware State Fair Health Fair: Visit all the state agencies including CDW! Tuesday, July 24, 2007 8:00am-3: 15 pm Delaware State Fairgrounds 1570 N. DuPont Highway Would you like your child to be healthier? You can find resources to improve your child’s nutrition, increase her productivity and find fun for the family in your neighborhood. It’s easy! Just: 1) *Log onto: www.GrowUpHealthy.org 2) Enter your address or zip code 3) Submit your search information and receive a display of the twenty closest resources in your neighborhood. *Most local libraries offer free access to the internet. Harrington, Delaware Nemours HealthyQuest Delaware FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI) (800) 870-DATI or (302) 651-6790; TDD (302) 651-6794 (302) 856-1081 or email rathel@asel.udel.edu IDEA (Part C) Revised Regulation Proposal Finally At Hand! Heads up! The long awaited proposed changes to the regulations for the Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C) are available for public review for 75 days, ending on July 23, 2007. You can view these or download a copy from the Federal Register at: http://idea.ed.gov/static/partCNprm The proposed regulations will implement changes made to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA). Some of the proposed changes include: · Restructure the current regulations to create a document that places statutory requirements and related regulations side-by-side. · Increase state flexibility and options by use of new provisions that allow mediation without a due process hearing and offer extended Part C services options for clients between 3-5 years. · Provide much requested and needed clarification on complex provisions · Reduce burdens on states by reducing paperwork and permitting the use of screening in addition to evaluations to assess a child suspected of having a delay. · Ensure state accountability for Child Find and provision of Early Intervention Services · Streamline the Part C Regulations, where practical, to the IDEA Part B Regulations IDEA (Part C) Revised Regulation Proposal Finally At Hand! (Continued) How Do I Track the Proposed Changes to the Regs & Make Comparisons? The Division of Early Childhood (DEC), the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) and the Infant and Toddler Coordinators Association (ITCA) are working to develop a side-by-side comparison and analysis of current IDEA Part C regulations and the proposed regulations. The group is also working on developing comments on the proposed regulations and recommendations for the final regulations. DEC will post these comments, recommendations and related information to their website: http://www.dec-sped.org/ Do you want your thoughts on the regulations heard? You can submit your comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. 1) Go to: http://www.regulations.gov 2) Select “All Documents.” 3) Next, from the agency drop-down list, select “Department of Education.” 4) In the Docket ID column, key ED-2007-OSERS-0131 (use hyphen marks) 5) Click “Submit” to add or view public comments and to read supporting and related materials available electronically. 6) Refer to the “User Tips” link for more information. (You may also read others comments directly on this site.) Or, submit your comments via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery to: Alexa Posny, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 4109, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2600 The DOE will not accept comments by fax or by e-mail. Include the Docket ID - ED-2007-OSERS-131 at the top of your comments. Submit comments only one time by July 23, 2007. EIFA Ensures Families Help Guide Policy By Marie Ann Aghazadian For some time policymakers and families alike have been worried that there has been an erosion of family involvement in the development of policies related to Part C of IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). From the beginning, Part C has emphasized the importance of family involvement at all levels of implementation. In April of 2006, a group of parent leaders active in Part C policymaking and implementation began to formulate a plan to create a family-centered group that would unite early intervention parent leaders throughout the country. In less than one year, that plan has been realized. The founding members of Early Intervention Family Alliance or EIFA, have worked diligently and purposefully to ensure a strong foundation. It is EIFA's mission to improve outcomes for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families, by working to assure meaningful family involvement in the development of Part C policies and their implementation at community, state and federal levels. Today EIFA has a core mission and guiding principles, bylaws and a Board of Directors. EIFA received early support and guidance from a number of individuals and organizations. At this time, the Infant Toddler Coordinators Association (ITCA) has graciously offered to provide EIFA with the institutional support necessary to move forward. EIFA's first priority is to ensure quality outcomes for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. EIFA believes that this is best accomplished by assuring meaningful participation by families in policymaking that affects infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. EIFA looks forward to the release of the proposed IDEA 2004 Part C regulations. EIFA's Positions Work Group will develop a coordinated plan to insure that families are represented in all testimony and hearing opportunities. To keep apprised of EIFA efforts, to receive updates and membership information send an email to info@eifamilyalliance.org. EIFA looks forward to collaborating with other concerned partners in the early intervention community. 1 By Denise Enger Child, Inc. provides FREE Parent Education classes at community-based locations throughout the State. · A variety of parent education formats are offered including classes, workshops, trainings and speakers for schools, churches, community centers, and private organizations. · Participants successfully completing a parenting course are awarded a certificate which is recognized by the state as satisfying the TANF requirement for families receiving assistance. We offer classes for children in all stages of development and many of our classes are offered in Spanish as well as English: · Birth to Three Parenting Classes: This class emphasizes the importance of the first three years of life and demonstrates how caregivers can promote healthy development in infants and toddlers during this important life stage. · Children Come Without Instructions: A basic parent education course focusing on children through age 12. Teens Come Without Instructions: This class focuses on issues related to development during the adolescent years. Parenting Dads: A 12-hour program geared specifically for dads focuses on the important role of fathers in the healthy development of children. For information about class locations, dates and times, or to register for a class, contact the Child, Inc. office in your county. New Castle- (302) 762-8989 Kent- (302) 697-2292 Sussex- (302) 228-9943 It Takes Two To Talk… a Hanen Communication Program Language delays can occur with any child, in any family. This can be a scary experience for the family members or caregivers of children experiencing communication issues. Fortunately, there is lots of support for families experiencing such issues. Don’t face this alone; even if your child is receiving speech therapy, he or she can benefit greatly from what you learn from the Hanen program, It Takes Two to Talk! Learn along with other people just like you, who want to help their children to better connect with their world! It Takes Two to Talk is a family-focused program, taught by a speech pathologist. Usually, this program costs hundreds of dollars to attend—but not ours; it’s FREE as a part of a special arrangement. The program is based on years of research into how families communicate with their children and how the communication skills of children with language delays can improve with their families’ help. Best of all, this help is easily incorporated in day-to-day activities that you already do with your child! But hey, don’t take our word for it! Read and learn from one of our Happy Hanen Graduates (see right column) and be sure to sign up for the next class! It Takes Two to Talk- Offered in Kent County Start Date: Thursday, 6/28/07 Time: Orientation – 1-3:30 PM; Actual Classes 1-4 PM over the next 5 Thursdays ending August 16, 2007 Location: Child Development Watch, 2nd Floor 18 North Walnut Street Milford, DE 19963 Phone: 302-424-7300 July 31, 2006 Kris Everhart Child Development Watch 18 N. Walnut St. Milford, DE 19963 Dear Kris, I am writing this letter to you because. . . I hope this will inspire others and give them hope. I also want to thank you so much for all your insight and support throughout this whole process. My name is Sylvia and I have a 2 1/2 year old boy. He started out on target with his speech until about 18 months of age. I have older children and had never experienced speech delay. I was in new territory and was very scared. I was told about a Hanen Program that would help me to help my child and I communicate better, and thought I would give it at try. At first, I was a little intimidated by the thought of having to take a class for communicating with my child. Will I be able to have time to do this program plus learn everything? When was I going to have time to read this book? But I must tell you all my fears were laid to rest when another mother came to class to let me know how this class helped her and her child to communicate better. You are given a wonderful fortuity to have two wonderful people help you do what you are probably already doing, but in a more creative way. During this class you will have a great opportunity to have you and your child video taped while you play. It was so exciting to see how we interacted and played. A big surprise was seeing the accomplishments that were made from the first taping to the last. It was a real eye opener and gave me satisfaction and relief to see my son improving everyday. These techniques do work and have helped my son communicate. His vocabulary and signing have increased. It gets better everyday. Thank you for your time to tell my story. Good luck to everyone. Sincerely, Sylvia and Eric Hanen Graduates Special News for Special Needs Delaware Health & Social Services, Child Development Watch, Summer 2007