What's New
NEWLY RELEASED: CONNECTICUT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION UPDATES: ACCELERATECT
The Connecticut State Department of Education has released two new documents: AccelerateCT: Connecticut's Framework for Accelerating Educational Opportunity and Access and Guidance Regarding Special Education Recovery for Students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. See both documents below:
» AccelerateCT Framework
» Guidance for Students with IEPs
CONNECTICUT IS WORKING TO STRENGTHEN STUDENT SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SKILLS
As part of the process of strengthening student social and emotional skills, the CT State Department of Education has obtained a nationally recognized Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) assessment system called the Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA). The DESSA is a strengths-based social and emotional screening and assessment tool. For more information see the information document below and visit the Aperture-Connecticut Webpage here.
» DESSA
EARLY INTERVENTION OVER THREE
A new executive order allows parents of young children who turn 3 on or after May 21st to choose to have their child continue to receive early intervention services through Birth to Three until the beginning of the 2021-22 school year. For more information see the document below, visit the Birth to Three website here, and watch this informational video.
» EIS Over 3
CT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (CSDE) RELEASES IMMUNIZATION GUIDANCE
The CSDE released guidance regarding Public Act 21-6, "An Act Concerning Immunizations". Please see below for more information.
» Guidance Immunizations
CT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION INTERIM GUIDANCE FOR REMOTE LEARNING
The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) released Interim Guidance for Remote Learning, 2021-2022 School Year. The guidance stresses the importance of in-person education and removes the requirement for school districts to provide all students access to remote learning at the request of the student/family.
It is important to note that legal obligations to provide accommodations on an individualized basis are not changed by this guidance as reflected by the following notation at the end of the document: “Our school communities are reminded that any standards, and this guidance, do not change any of the school district’ existing legal obligations to provide accommodations on an individualized basis, which may include the use of remote education options. This also has no impact on requirements to provide homebound and hospitalized instruction to special education students who are unable to attend school due to a verified medical reason. Homebound and hospitalized instruction, pursuant to state law, should not be confused with instruction in the home, which is an articulated placement on the continuum of educational placements outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Such placement would occur as the result of a PPT [Planning and Placement Team] recommendation that instruction in the home provides the student with FAPE [Free Appropriate Public Education] in the least restrictive environment and would be reflected in the student’s IEP.”
DRCT Shares Updated Fact Sheet on Expanded Eligibility to Age 22
» DRCT Fact Sheet
» DRCT Fact Sheet - Español
JUST RELEASED: REVISED PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS NOTICE!
The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), Bureau of Special Education (BSE), has revised the Procedural Safeguards Notice (March 2021 Edition) and made it available on the CSDE website in English and Spanish. Districts have been asked to begin using this updated version beginning March 31, 2021.
The documents can also be found on the state's website on their Special Education Legal and Due Process Resources Page.
CPAC IS HIRING A BILINGUAL (ENGLISH/SPANISH) PARENT CONSULTANT!
CPAC is hiring! We are in search of a Bilingual Parent Consultant to add to our team. See job posting below or apply on Indeed here.
» Bilingual Parent Consultant Position
IDEA Part B Grant Annual State Application
The Connecticut Department of Education has posted the Annual State Application Under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as amended in 2004 for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY 21) available for public inspection through May 2, 2021.
This application contains assurances that Connecticut is in compliance with the IDEA Reauthorization of 2004, thus making Connecticut eligible for federal financial assistance. The application also contains a description of the use of federal funds that the state receives from the IDEA Part B grant for administrative and other state activities. Visit the CT State Department of Education website for more information.
Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) - How to File a Complaint
The Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recently released a technical assistance video, How to File a Complaint, to help parents, families, students, and stakeholders better understand how they can file a complaint with OCR. This resource provides clear and concise direction on how an individual may bring incidents of potential discrimination to the attention of OCR and includes information on deadlines, ways to provide the required information to OCR, and potential outcomes of complaint investigations.
UConn Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
UConn Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities needs to hear from families of young
children (aged Birth to 5) so they can understand their needs during the COVID -19 pandemic and
what they might need when this is all over as we all recover from these challenges. Connecticut
is the recipient of a grant that will focus on the resiliency of very young children and their
families. Your help in filling out this survey will help CT providers have better tools,
materials and programs to help meet the needs identified in this survey of CT families. We
hope you will take the two minutes it will take to fill out the survey to help serve families
in CT. Thank you for your time and help.
»
Provide Feedback
Updated Guidance Regarding A.R. v. CT State Board of Education
A recent memorandum from the Connecticut State Board of Education contains important information related to
school districts’ responsibilities related to the June 10, 2020 United States District Court ruling that extended
student’s IDEA eligibility, who have not received a regular high school diploma, until their 22nd birthday.
»
Download Guidance Update
Return to Learning Playlist to Communicate for Students and Families
This playlist can prepare students and families for the return to learning by engaging in flexible, online and
offline resources provided by three CSDE partners; CT Public Television, Wide Open School and Yale University
Department.
»
Download Flyer
Frequently Asked Questions re Covid-19
For Families: Frequently Asked Questions About Special Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
CPAC compiled this document with the most frequently asked questions from families at this time.
The document will be updated as new information becomes available.
»
Download Frequently Asked Questions for Families
Informational update for week three of school closure
As we begin the third week of statewide school classroom closure, here is some updated information:
- Our newly created Special Education COVID-19 webpage
-
Our professional series to Families and Districts (Please share with your educators and families).
Access the content on the
CT.gov website or view the PDF content below:
Professional Support Series for Districts
Professional Support Series for Families - Communication to LEAs related to the SEDAC Desk Audit, BSE File Review, Summary of Performance and SEDA Off Cycle Reporting
- Memo related to Student Data Privacy
- Medicaid and Teletherapy Document
Continued Educational Opportunities and Special Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Bryan Klimkiewicz, Special Education Division Director for the CT Department of Education has released
new guidance to school districts related to the provision of special education during this health emergency.
Please note that it is a working document and will be updated regularly as things change. CPAC will be
discussing this guidance with Bryan online on Friday. Check in to our facebook page for updates on timing.
In the meantime, please feel free to send any questions you may have to
[email protected]
and we will do our best to get you answers. Our parent consultants are also available at
(860) 739-3089. Be well.
»
Guidance Presentation re Covid-19
COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") Update
COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel. Please visit the
U.S. Department of Education website for the latest updates and resources:
https://www.ed.gov/coronavirus.
For the latest from the Connecticut check
https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus for important and up-to-date information on Connecticut's
response efforts in regard to COVID-19.
CPAC is Requesting Your Feedback
Have your voice heard!
As Connecticut’s Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center we are here to serve families with children
with disabilities, youth with disabilities, and professionals in the field by offering a variety of services.
We regularly ask for feedback regarding the services we provide so we are sure that we are meeting the needs
of families, youth, and professionals in Connecticut. Please complete the following four question survey and
have your voice heard at the CPAC planning table. Results are anonymous. We thank you for your support!
» Take the survey in English
» Take the survey in Spanish
Bristol, Spring 2020
THE NEXT STEPS TRAINING WILL BE HELD ONLINE ON TUESDAY EVENINGS BEGINNING MARCH 17TH, THROUGH MAY 12TH, 2020.
EACH SESSION BEGINS PROMPTLY AT 6:00 P.M. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS MARCH 15. APPLICATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL
AND PARTICIPATION AT ALL EIGHT SESSIONS IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE
APPLICATION PROCESS, PLEASE CALL THE CONNECTICUT PARENT ADVOCACY CENTER AT
(860) 739-3089 OR EMAIL LISA AT
[email protected].
Download the flyer for this series
Stress: Family Caregivers of Children with Disabilities by Bureau Bulletin
Family caregivers play an essential role within the national health care system. Read this important brief
from the Collaboratory on School and Child Health regarding stress and family caregivers.
Read the brief
Connecticut Family School Partnerships (CFSP)
The goal of the Connecticut Family School Partnerships (CFSP) is to improve student social, emotional and academic
outcomes through strong family, school, and community partnerships.
CPAC has partnered with the African Caribbean American Parents of Children with Disabilities (AFCAMP), Capitol
Region Education Council (CREC), Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) and State Education Resource
Center (SERC) to form this Statewide Family Engagement Center.
Visit the ct-fsp.org website
New Guidance on Timelines for Evaluations
The Bureau of Special Education is issuing updated guidance on the timeline for initial special education
evaluations in the state of Connecticut. The December 21, 2018 guidance memorandum titled Timelines for Initial
Evaluation is rescinded and effective immediately is being replaced with the following: This guidance is being
issued to clarify the requirements for the initial evaluation timeline. Conducting timely evaluations is an
integral part of our commitment to each student’s right to a free and appropriate public education.
Download the updated guidance
Education Committee Roundtable on Equity in Special Education
The Education Committee held a roundtable to discuss equity in special education. CPAC was invited to
be part of this important conversation.
Watch the discussion here.
Watch the discussion here