These links are available to view through February 28, 2024. After that date, contact the Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. for an updated list of links to access these training sessions.
Early Intervention- Birth to 3 years
What is Early Intervention Services: Part C?
Staff from Benchmark Human Services, one of Montana’s Part C providers created this presentation for families with young children ages birth to 3 years who have delays, are at risk for delays or who have disabilities. Join them as they explain the Early Intervention/Part C Services in Montana, who the providers are and how to get connected.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. presents Transitioning from Early Intervention Part C to Part B Preschool: A Parent’s Viewpoint
Join us as we talk about the transition from Part C/Early Intervention Services (children 0-3 years with delays, at risk for delays or with disabilities) to Part B Services/Special Education Preschool when a child turns 3 years of age. We will discuss the transition and eligibility process for these services, options for where these services might take place, your child’s first IEP meeting as well as how to inquire about these services even if your child was not in a Part C program.
Child Find and the Evaluation Process
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Special Education Alert: Child Find- What Parents Need to Know
Join us as we talk about Child Find, what it is and what you need to know.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Special Education Alert: The Referral and Evaluation Process, Part 1
Join us as we walk through how to submit a referral to request a Special Education Evaluation and what that process looks like.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Special Education Alert: The Referral and Evaluation Process, Part 2
Join us for a brief review of the types of assessments that could be a part of the evaluation process.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Special Education Alert: The Education Evaluation Process is Complete, What’s Next?
After your child has received their Educational Evaluation, what happens next? What if they qualify for special education services? What happens if they don’t qualify for special education services? MEC will walk you through what that process might look like.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Special Education Alert – Education Evaluations in Public Schools
Join us as we take a look at the Educational Evaluations in the Public Schools, how they happen, how to request one, what if school tells you no, what is an Independent Education Evaluations and more!
504s
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. – What’s a 504?
A 504 is a federal civil rights law that protects students of all ages from disability discrimination by schools that receive federal funding. Section 504 levels the educational playing field by making accommodations so that children with disabilities can learn. Join us to learn all about 504s.
IEPs
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Understanding the IEP Document: Section by Section
The IEP is a document that plans for the special education experience of a child with a disability. When the members of a child’s IEP team sit down together and consider how the child will be involved in and participate in school life, for families it can be like reading a foreign language. So join us as we do a step by step look at each of the components within the IEP and the process.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Special Education Alert- Understanding your Child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) Document Part 1
Join us as we take a look at the IEP document section by section. We will talk about what information is collected in each section to help you better understand this document for your child. Part one covers the first page of the IEP.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Special Education Alert- Understanding your Child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) Document Part 2
Join us as we take a look at the IEP document section by section. We will talk about what information is collected in each section to help you better understand this document for your child. Part two covers page two of the IEP, present levels of academic achievement and functional performance or PLAFF statements as well as goals.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Special Education Alert- Understanding your Child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) Document Part 3
Join us as we take a look at the IEP document section by section. We will talk about what information is collected in each section to help you better understand this document for your child. Part 3 covers the sections: Progress reports, services, Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), ESY and Re-Evaluations.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Special Education Alert- Understanding your Child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) Document Part 4
Join us as we take a look at the IEP document section by section. We will talk about what information is collected in each section to help you better understand this document for your child. Part four covers the signature and notes pages of the IEP.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Special Education Alert- Understanding your Child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) Document Part 5
Join us as we take a look at the IEP document section by section. We will talk about what information is collected in each section to help you better understand this document for your child. Part five covers the Prior Written Notice, Procedural Safeguards, Rights and Responsibilities sections of the IEP.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Special Education Alert: Prior Written Notice (PWN): What? When? Who? Why?
So what is Prior Written Notice or PWN? A Prior Written Notice (PWN) is a written explanation of a change the school district wants to make or refuses to make in a child’s Individualized Educational Program (IEP). Listen in as we tell you more about it and what you should know about this important document.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Special Education Alert: The Endrew F. Case by the US Supreme Court
Join MEC as it shares information on the US Supreme Court Case known as “Endrew F.”, looking at the standard on whether a child’s IEP is sufficient to enable educational benefit for them to make progress.
Communication
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Special Education Alert: Better Together – Productive and Meaningful Team Meetings
Join us as we talk about ways your IEP team can work together to have positive and productive meetings focused on your student’s school needs.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Special Education Alert: Communicating the concerns about your child
Working closely with your school team is an important piece of your child’s education. Listen as we share some good ways to help when communicating with your school.
Reaching Out For Help When Your Child Needs Help in School
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Special Education Alert: When Your Child is Struggling in School
So you have noticed your child is struggling at school, what can you do? Join the Montana Empowerment Center Inc as we take a look at what parents can do when you notice your child is having difficulties at school.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. – Regression in School, Tracking the Data, The Whys and How’s
Believe it or not… a TON of information is lost during long breaks… that may come across as a shocker! To help battle this “brain drain” for children with special needs, ESY is available… but often challenging to get in to! Extended School Year (ESY) is a supplemental service that can be utilized for a child who has an IEP. These children can be eligible for ESY services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Join us when Brett Gilleo, LCPC, LMFT , BCBA with Big Sky Therapeutic Services in Great Falls to find out if this is an option for your child.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Special Education Alert: What Parents Need to Know about Regression and Extended School Year (ESY)
How can you tell if your child is regressing in school? Join MEC as we take a look at regression in school as well as explore Extended School Year (ESY), what it is and how does a student qualify.
Transition- High School and Beyond
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. – Post Secondary Transition in the IEP
Life is full of transitions, and one of the more remarkable ones occurs when we get ready to leave high school and go out in the world as young adults. When the student has a disability, it is especially helpful to plan ahead for that transition. Join us when Dale Kimmet, Montana Office of Public Instruction talks about that post secondary transition IEP.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Special Education Alert: Graduation for Special Education Students in Montana
Listen in on Montana’s graduation requirements graduation looks like for students with disabilities.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Tell me more Series- Vocational Rehabilitation-
Pre Employment Transition Services Program
Join us as we take a look at the Pre-Employment Transition Services through Vocational Rehabilitation.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Tell me more Series- What is SSI- Supplemental Security Income
Learn more about Supplemental Security Income or SSI- who is eligible, how does someone apply and more.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Tell Me More Series: Special Needs Planning-Benefits of Special Needs Trusts
This webinar is designed to educate parents of special needs children on the benefits of a Supplemental Needs Trust (also referred to as a Special Needs Trust). It is being presented by Jon McCarty, Esq. of Montana Estate Lawyers, P.C.
What to do When You Disagree with the School
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Special Education Alert- Dispute Resolution Series, Part 1: Early Assistance Program, IEP Facilitation and Mediation
Have you ever wondered what to do when you and the school can’t reach an agreement regarding your child’s IEP? Join MEC as we discuss the process of dispute resolution and the steps within that process. This session will cover MT OPI’s Early Assistance Program, talk about IEP facilitation and what the mediation process looks like.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Special Education Alert: Dispute Resolution Series, Part 2: State Complaint, Due Process Hearing and Expedited Due Process Hearing
Have you ever wondered what to do when you and the school can’t reach an agreement regarding your child’s IEP? Join MEC for part 2 of this webinar series as we discuss dispute resolution and the steps within that process. This session will cover what is a State Complaint, a Due Process Hearing and an Expedited Due Process Hearing.
Behavior, Discipline at School, Informal Removal
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Special Education Alert: Informal Removal of Students- My child keeps getting sent home from school. What can I do?
Informal removal of students is a common practice that has negative effects on all students. We will provide information to clarify what is meant by informal removals and why they are not best practice for our students to succeed.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Presents: The Discipline of Students with Disabilities in Schools, Part 1
Join the Montana Empowerment Center Inc for a presentation on the recent guidance from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) on the discipline of students with disabilities. This is part 1 of a 3 part series.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Presents: The Discipline of Students with Disabilities in Schools, Part 2 – Questions and Answers Addressing the Needs of Children with Disabilities and IDEA’s Disciplinary Procedures
Join the Montana Empowerment Center Inc for a presentation on the recent guidance from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) on the discipline of students with disabilities. This is part two of a three part series and will discuss the OSEP document, “Questions and Answers: Addressing the Needs of Children with Disabilities and IDEA’s Discipline Provisions.”
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc. Presents: The Discipline of Students with Disabilities in Schools, Part 3 – Positive Proactive approaches to Supporting Children with Disabilities: A Guide for Stakeholders
Join the Montana Empowerment Center Inc for a presentation on the recent guidance from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) on the discipline of students with disabilities. This is part three of a three part series where we will be discussing OSEP’s document “Positive Proactive Approaches to Supporting Children with Disabilities: Guide for Stakeholders.”
Other
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc.’s Special Education Alert: Bullying-Stop the Hate
Let’s take a look at bully-free schools and the laws that support them.
Montana Empowerment Center Inc and Montana Office of Public Instruction-Family Engagement
Join MEC and OPI as we discuss the importance families have in supporting their child’s education and how your involvement contributes to your child’s success in the classroom.
Montana Empowerment Center Inc. and Montana Office of Public Instruction- MTSS: Multi–Tiered Systems of Support
Both academic and behavioral success is important for all children. MTSS, or Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) is a phrase you may hear about at school or from other parents. MTSS is a multi-step framework providing instruction and support to promote success for ALL children. MTSS goes beyond just academics. It also covers social and emotional support. Join MEC as we look further into what MTSS is and if your school is using it, how it can help your child and your family.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc.’s Special Education Alert: Back to School Post Covid 19
Concerned about this coming school year and what it will look like for your child? Here are some suggestions on how to prepare and some questions to ask.
Montana Empowerment Center, Inc.’s Special Education Alert- Youth Suicide-A Crisis Across Montana: What Can Communities and Individuals Do?
Awareness and Prevention: Statistics, Warning Signs and Resources