KIDS FIRST! Understand their differences. Focus on their needs. Educate them.

FODL Meeting Handouts - 2008/2009

October 2, 2008 Meeting: "Coping Strategies for the Family"
Speaker: Dr. Amiee Kotrba, a clinical psychologist discussed the impact of raising children with special needs on marital and family life. Dr. Kotrba presented the unique stressors on marriages as well as issues often experienced by siblings in the family. Practical recommendations and strategies were discussed to improve family and marital relationships. Click here to download a PDF of Dr. Kotrba's powerpoint presentation. 

Resources

Friends of Different Learners makes no endorsement of any of the products or therapies on this website. Please make your own evaluation as to the suitablility of these services.

Resource List of Organizations for Different Learners (PDF)

Resource List of Books, Videos and Organizations for Different Learners (PDF)

Links - Resources

www.bridges4kids.org  Bridges for Kids – information for parents and professionals seeking help

www.bridges4kids.org/IEP/iep.goal.bank.pdf  Bridges 4 Kids IEP Goal Bank

http://nces.ed.gov/    National Center for Education and Statistics (NCES)

http://www.ldonline.org/   Learning Disabilities Online

www.everydaymiracles.org  Everyday Miracle Autism Support Network

 www.asaoakland.org  Autism Society of America – Oakland Chapter

 www.mighigan.gov/mde  Michigan Department of Education Home Page          

 www.michigan.gov/documents/MichiganCurriculumFramework_8172_7.pdf  Michigan Department of Education – Curriculum Framework

http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-28753_33232---,00.html  Michigan Department of Education – Grade Level Expectation (Parent Guide)

www.wrightslaw.com  Wright’s Law

http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,1607,7-140-28753_33232---,00.html  These K-8 Grade Level Content Expectation documents are for educators who need access to multiple grade levels, and parents looking for guides to help explain the GLCEs

www.schwablearning.org  A Parents Guide to helping kids with learning difficulties

www.dsgsemi.org Down Syndrome Guild of Southeast Michigan

Special Education Informal Dispute Resolution Processes --- An Oakland County Parent's Guide, Printed February 2008. Download a PDF by clicking here. If you have trouble with this site's download, you can also download this brochure from: www.asaoakland.org, www.thearcoakland.org, and www.oakland.k12.mi.us.

The National Institute for Literacy has several publications available, free of charge. Order them at http://www.nifl.gov/ Some recommended titles are: "A Child Becomes a Reader: Proven Ideas from Research for Parents" and "Put Reading First:The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read."

 Links - Therapies & Programs

www.jacksplaceforautism.com  Jack’s Place for Autism

www.thefriendshipcircle.org      The Friendship Circle

www.abilitiescenter.com The Abilities Center

Effective October 1, 2008, the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has designated the Wisconsin Family Assistance Center for Education, Training and Support, (WI-FACETS) as the fiscal agent for Michigan’s Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center funding. The WI-FACETS is expected to release Request for Proposals (RFPs) to provide parent training and information services to families in Michigan. The OSEP anticipates releasing RFPs for Michigan, as done in the past, between December 2008 and February 2009.
In and effort to provide the most current information available, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services (OSE/EIS) would like to outline the current training, information and support services available to families as offered by the OSEP and the MDE-OSE/EIS: OSEP WI-FACETS Provides a toll-free phone line dedicated to Michigan Parent Training & Information Center calls Toll Free Phone Number: 877-306-8111 On the Web: www.WIFACTES.org Further information regarding availability of RFPs will be shared as it becomes available. MDE-OSE/EIS - OSE/EIS Special Education Consultant providing assistance with general questions about special education and Section 504 - Toll Free Phone Number: 888-320-8384


The Michigan Alliance for Families - Providing information, support and education to families of children and young adults with disabilities Toll Free Phone Number: 800-552-4821 On the Web: www.MichiganAllianceforFamilies.org Please take the opportunity to share this information with any parent or community organizations that you may be aware of, as well as any local education agencies and business or personal contacts you may have. If you have any questions you may contact Monica Butler in the OSE/EIS at 517-241-4518 or ButlerM3@Michigan.gov