Welcome to the ASD Network's Circle of Friends virtual learning community for participants in the K-12 Circle of Friends (COF) program. Over 200 schools across Nebraska have implemented Circle of Friends groups to date. In some schools, a single person is responsible for implementing COF, making collaboration challenging. Hopefully, this site will provide ongoing support for members through ideas and resource sharing. While this project was initially developed for Nebraska Circle of Friends groups, anyone anywhere can access the materials and reach out with questions. Check the site links, including the drop-down for 'Ideas and Resources'.
Summer PD opportunity!
Starting Up a New COF Group at Your School?
Be ready to hit the ground running in the fall with a new Circle of Friends group.
Work at your convenience in our free summer independent study COF professional development training. Participants will work at their own pace anytime between the months of May and August.
Afterwards, new group facilitators will meet in a 1:1 or small group Zoom session to have any questions answered.
If planning or considering facilitating a group in 2024-25
Please take one minute to add your contact information for the monthly newsletter and CoF content by clicking the button below the newsletter sign-up. If you received the newsletters last school year you will automatically get them again this year so no need to add again unless your email is changing.
If you need help don't hesitate to reach out via email or schedule a one-to-one call or Zoom session.
mary.schlieder@gmail.com
COF Connections Virtual Community Newsletter will be emailed via Constant Contact each month.
Check your spam folder in case your school systems administrator is blocking these. Our monthly newsletter is how we are communicating with everyone.
Stories and Tips From the Circle: Enter our monthly gift card drawing by the 28th of each month and you could win a $50 gift card for submitting a success story, an idea, resource, or press release you've shared in your local community!
Share Circle of Friends with administrators and other educators by sharing our flyer.
Miss the 2023-24 New COF Facilitator Training?
Zoom link to recorded session HERE
Another way to review COF training:
Go to the 'About COF' tab on this site.
Watch the Circle of Friends webinars Part I and Part 2.
Make copy and complete the 'Next Steps' planning guide. Link on webinar page.
Archived Newsletters
Questions or concerns? Contact Mary at mary.schlieder@gmail.com or Megan at mmisegadis2@unl.edu
Thank you so much for your efforts on this important project. Looking forward to learning from each other!