The Office for Civil Rights at the US Department of Education has issued a Dear Colleague letter and a new Q+A regarding the changes made to Section 504 pf the Rehabilitation Act via the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act, passed in 2008.  To read the Dear Colleague letter, go to http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201109.html .  To review the Q&A document, go to http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/faqs.html

Programs that work for people who work

In this economy, it can be difficult to make ends meet, even if you’re employed.  Sometimes, it takes just a little help or support to get through the tough  times. New Jersey offers programs that  work for people who work.  Click here for a fact sheet in English and Spanish on Children's Health Insurance, Child Care Assistance, Earned Income Tax Credit, Energy Assistance, Food Assistance, and Mortgage Assistance.

Healthcare Financing for Children with Special Health Needs!

New Factsheets on Healthcare Financing for Children with Special Health Needs are available.  The series of ten fact sheets includes information on how to access key healthcare financing resources available for children with special health needs in New Jersey.    Access them here

Parents Guide to Response to Intervention

For parents whose children are struggling in school, this Parent's Guide is a must-have handbook. and an essential resource for understanding the Response to Intervention (RTI) process. It includes parent perspectives, a glossary of important terms, sample intervention plans, checklists and worksheets, and more. Download the Parent's Guide to Response to Intervention

Charter Schools – English Language Learners and Students with Disabilities

• Learn why SPAN opposes the proposal to establish “autism schools” in every county and the autism charter approved to open in Essex County.
  For more information, click here.

Charter schools may not exclude or discourage students from applying or enrolling, and cannot counsel students out because a student requires bilingual education under ESEA; or supports and accommodations under Section 504, IDEA or the state special education code.  Know your rights.

Contact SPAN, if you need assistance in understanding the rights of ALL to access charter schools.

Medicaid Problem Reporting Form

Attached is a form to facilitate the reporting of any Medicaid HMO problems. We are forwarding the information on problems directly to Medicaid because they do want to know if problems occur. Thus far, we have received a very timely and helpful response from Medicaid personnel to all of the problems that have come to our attention. The following information should be helpful for all caregivers:

Medical Problem Reporting Form

Dropout Prevention Through Effective Reentry

High school students who drop out are costly to society. Compared to those who graduate, they are more likely to be unemployed, dependent on public services, and involved in the criminal justice system. Helping students, particularly students with disabilities who dropout at rates higher than their non-disabled peers, is a prominent national concern.  Reentry programs where students can return to complete their high school education are specifically designed to address students' barriers to school completion and prepare them for college and career readiness. These resources from the National Dropout Prevention Center-SD helps schools to better understand the issue and implement effective reentry programs.

• Reports on Reentry Programs http://www.ndpc-sd.org/knowledge/reentry_programs.php (embed links into titles)
  
• Related resources http://www.dropoutprevention.org/ndpc-sd/search.php

SPAN NJ Family-to-Family Health Information Center Receives Funding.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration announced the new and continuing awards for the Family-to-Family Health Information Centers. This funding was made available through the Affordable Care Act. Read more at HRSA Newsroom.