Embedded Files
Family & Community
Are you looking for a way to make your family engagement actions more powerful and collaborative? Do you have Family Engagement as a need in your Edsteps One Plan or your Needs Assessment? We have a new series of Establishing Families as Partners in Secondary Transition kicking off virtually on February 11, 2025, that can support your efforts.
The Establishing Families as Partners in Secondary Transition learning series was developed to increase the capacity of agency personnel to understand,, at a minimum, the following critical topics through the lens of secondary transition:
the value of family partnerships,
cultural and linguistically diverse families,
implicit bias and the evolution of disability,
having authentic and necessary conversations,
and universal design, which includes creating and redesigning communication and experiences to better represent and serve families.
The professional learning series is targeted to a group of local cross-agency professionals from local schools, career-technical centers and education service centers, county boards of developmental disabilities, mental health providers, counselors and supervisors from Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, and anyone providing service and support to transition-age youth with disabilities. The hope is for a team of multi-agency professionals serving the same or similar transition-age youth and their families in their community to take this together.
If you'd like to see a video of a group from Hamilton County Ohio that values their experience, see this link: https://ohioemploymentfirst.org/it-starts-with-families/establishing-families-as-partners-in-secondary-transition
The training will include four facilitated learning discussions wrapped around asynchronous learning modules--all online. The virtual dates for the Northeast and North Central Region include:
-- February 11, 2025; 1:30-3:30 p.m.
-- February 24, 2025; 1:30-3:30 p.m.
-- March 10, 2025; 1:30-4:00 p.m.
-- March 20, 2025; 8:30-10:30 a.m.
For questions, please reach out to your Family Engagement, Transition, or Career Tech Consultant at your State Support Team or contact Crystal Bryski, Project Lead at cbryski@sst4.org .
To register, please use this link: https://forms.gle/ZUVVtf57RjEJkY1T8
The events below are not sponsored by SST9 but are provided for your information
Click below to access 2025 Newsletters:
Click below to access 2025 Newsletters:
Family and Community Engagement - At the Table Network!
Family and Community Engagement - At the Table Network!
Join SST9 for our 2024-25 Family and Community Engagement—At the Table Network! Our monthly meetings will occur from October 2024 to June 2025 on the third Tuesday of the month, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
You can access the meetings via the Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/xhm-awmi-snb.
Throughout the year, we will focus on achieving high-impact engagement through discussions on the following topics:
Engaging families to improve attendance
Family engagement basics for educators
Family engagement in mental health and trauma
Family engagement in early literacy
Family engagement in the middle school and high school years
Krista Allison - Krista.Allison@sst9.org
Andrea Ciavarelli - Andrea .Ciavarelli@sst9.org
Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center
Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center
NEW Professional Development Opportunities
NEW Professional Development Opportunities
Unlocking Early Literacy with Family-Teacher Collaboration
Unlocking Early Literacy with Family-Teacher Collaboration
(60 contact hours/6 CEUs)
A self-paced seminar designed for teachers to learn how to collaborate with families to support children's early literacy development.
Applications for this self-paced course are open until May 1, pending space availability. Accepted applicants must complete the course by June 30.
Want to learn more? Click HERE
Additional opportunities to earn digital badges can be found at the Ohio Family Engagement Center - Seminar Catalog.
Engage Differently Resources (next level):
Engage Differently Resources (next level):
Read & Learn
Seeing Families as Partners in Literacy Growth - (Nawal Qarooni) Guiding principles for drawing on families' strengths and cultural knowledge to build literacy connections.
Navigate, Learn & Share
ALL Ohio (Advancing Literacy Learning Ohio) is a compilation of high-quality professional learning resources for Ohio’s P20 education system and families. Family Resources can be found here.
Ohio Family to Family: Empowering Ohio Families
Ohio Family to Family: Empowering Ohio Families
Ohio Family to Family is here to help families who have children and youth with special healthcare needs and disabilities, and professionals who serve them. Ohio F2F is staffed by Family Support Specialists who have first-hand experiences and who understand the challenges experienced by families. For more information about support, training and resources, visit their website: https://www.ohiof2f.org/
Sign up HERE for Family to Family Newsletter To sign up for the Family to Family Newsletter, click this link.
Money Talks
Money Talks
Money Talks is a short, family-friendly online series available in Spanish and English that is meant to help parents talk to their children about financial literacy money . While geared toward middle school students, the information can be applied to any age group. For each of the five (5) topics, there are conversation starters for families to use at home with their child(ren), quotes from parents and caregivers, games, activity ideas and other resources. There are also free financial planning tools for adults. This resource was piloted by Yesenia Alvarez Padilla, researcher at the Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center at The Ohio State University.
Ohio Parent to Parent
Ohio Parent to Parent
Ohio Parent to Parent (Ohio P2P) is a statewide parent support program. It matches parents, siblings, self advocates, foster parents, grandparents, etc. who have a family member of any age, with a disability or special health care need with an experienced, trained, volunteer support parent. For more information, click here.
Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities
Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities
A Parent's Guide - Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
A Parent's Guide - Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
This guide explains Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
A framework designed to help all students succeed academically, behaviorally, and in terms of overall well-being. MTSS uses a tiered approach, providing universal support for all students, targeted interventions for those needing extra help, and intensive support for students facing significant challenges. Parent and community involvement are emphasized as crucial components for student success, encouraging collaboration between families, schools, and community organizations. The guide provides questions parents can ask to better understand their child's progress within the MTSS framework and suggests ways to actively participate in their child's education. It also includes resources for further information and support.
Find an OCECD Information Specialist in your area.
Find an OCECD Information Specialist in your area.
If your school district does not have a Parent Mentor Program, please click the link above to access the OCECD Information Specialist Information for your county.
Somali Speaking Information Specialists Map
Spanish Speaking Information Specialist Map
Advocacy Tips for Parents
Advocacy Tips for Parents
OCECD is excited to announce the release of an additional resource document as part of the Advocacy Tips for Parents Tip Sheet. Packed...
OCECD Youth Resources
OCECD Youth Resources
My Adventures in Youth Empowerment
My Adventures in Youth Empowerment
This comic series will focus on empowering transition age youth to become self-advocates. We hope this resource will inform youth about youth empowerment, self-determination, self-advocacy and more. Stay tuned for more adventures in “Youth Empowerment”!
Click for My Adventures in Youth Empowerment Series
It's My Turn - Online Learning Course
It's My Turn - Online Learning Course
Students are welcome to participate in a virtual version of the It’s My Turn transition training at their convenience. Many students may want to access this program independently with the built-in accommodations, and others may want to also include their own personal support. To access the It's My Turn modules,
Register Today!
OCECD Shares Assistive Technology
OCECD Shares Assistive Technology
The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) explores the topic of Assistive Technology (AT) in their Summer 2024 newsletter. In this series, you will learn about what AT is, the difference between AT services and devices, AT in IEPs and 504 plans, the AT evaluation and assessment process, and the variety of devices available. You can access the newsletter here
Transition Age Youth
Transition Age Youth
If your child is 14+ years of age, have them check out the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities Youth Self-Advocacy and Empowerment website designed just for them. This website is dedicated to empowering youth to become their own best advocate. The resources found here will help them learn how to advocate for themselves during IEP meetings, prepare for life after high school, look out for themselves, tell people what they need, and be responsible. Check out the website here.
Medical Diagnosis Vs Educational Eligibility Tip Sheet
The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) is pleased to announce the release of their latest Tip Sheet, focusing on the topic of "Medical Diagnosis Vs Educational Eligibility." This resource is designed to provide parents and caregivers with essential insights into navigating the intersection of medical diagnoses and educational support.
They believe that equipping parents with knowledge is a crucial step towards ensuring every child receives the education they deserve. They invite you to download this resource and share it with others who may benefit from it.
If you have any questions or would like further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out. Together, you can make a positive impact on the educational journey of children with disabilities.
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Family ECHO: Autism
Family ECHO: Autism
What is Family ECHO: Autism?
From navigating a diagnosis to learning about new therapies, parents, and caregivers of children with autism need an immense amount of knowledge and support in order to provide the best care to their loved ones. But often, that information can be difficult to access.
Family ECHO: Autism is a virtual learning program for families and caregivers raising children with autism. The sessions are designed to shift medical and behavioral information from the clinic into the hands of parents and caregivers so they can learn to better support and care for their autistic children. Session topics have been chosen based on input from participants.
As an “all teach, all learn” environment, Family ECHO: Autism connects families with an interdisciplinary panel of experts from the Autism Care Network. The series is designed to increase autism knowledge, build leadership skills for managing interdisciplinary care teams, and provide strategies that can be applied by families and their teams.
Additional Information
Additional Information
Free or low-cost tutoring
Free or low-cost tutoring
Tutoring doesn’t have to be expensive! Learn about free and low-cost options that can help your child build skills this summer.
Finding the right tutor for your child
Finding the right tutor for your child
Ask the right questions to find a tutor that can help your child learn and grow. This guide can help you choose a tutor that fits your family best.
Tutoring tips for dyslexia
Tutoring tips for dyslexia
Tutoring can help kids with dyslexia improve their reading skills — and make reading less stressful. Find a tutor to help your child become a more confident reader.
On-Demand Educational Webinars
On-Demand Educational Webinars
Does my child need a legal guardian or power of attorney is an emotion-packed topic. In this recorded webinar, Andy Brennan, attorney at Disability Rights Ohio, offers objective information that highlights the necessary balance between independence and least restrictive, supported, decision-making options. VIEW WEBINAR HERE
Read the latest articles at LiveSpecial.com.
Transitioning to College with a Disability Podcast
Transitioning to College with a Disability Podcast
The Exceptional Experience Podcast serves to empower the voices of youth and young adults with disabilities. Their latest episode, Transitioning to College with a Disability, features Billy Pickens and Mayia Warren.
Stepping Stones Video Series
Stepping Stones Video Series
In this seven-part video series, families of children with disabilities share their experiences of being involved in Ohio Early Intervention. These families detail their perspectives on making the most of the Early Intervention journey and the different reasons to participate in EI.
Access this video series here: https://ohioearlyintervention.org/stepping-stones
Free Book: Supported Decision-Making and Guardianship
Free Book: Supported Decision-Making and Guardianship
The Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council has published the latest book from Resch, Root, Philipps, & Graham, LLC. To order your free copy of Supported Decision-making and Guardianship, written by Logan Philipps and Derek Graham, click here.
The Father's Feelings Project
The Father's Feelings Project
What Are Father's Feelings Communities of Learners?
What Are Father's Feelings Communities of Learners?
OhioGuidestone’s Institute of Family and Community Impact’s Father’s Feelings Project team is on a mission! Our Father’s Feelings Communities of Learners provide professional development sessions for all the superhero professionals working with dads during the perinatal period—from the moment dads are expecting a baby until the child’s first birthday bash- we know dads have a place in this space!
These training sessions explore the vital role of dads during the perinatal period. We discuss how fathers can continue to support child development while also promoting and maintaining their own mental health and well-being. But wait, the Institute has more! Join a Community of Learners for a deep dive into real-world practices for serving fathers across our communities.
For more information, click this link.
Communication Disability Law
The Communication Disability Law helps reduce potential confusion and supports the safety of Ohioans who have challenges communicating, whether they are drivers or passengers. This video explains the law, and gives step-by-step instructions on how to register. For more information, visit https://ood.ohio.gov/laws-rules-and-policies/laws/communication-disability-law
OhioRISE
As a part of Ohio Medicaid’s effort to launch the next generation of Medicaid, ODM has launched OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence), a specialized managed care program for youth with complex behavioral health and multisystem needs.
A Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment is needed to help determine a child or youth's eligibility for OhioRISE. CLICK HERE for information about how to obtain a referral for a CANS assessment.
Page updated
Report abuse