Resources
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) refers to a multi-tiered behavioral framework used to improve the integration and implementation of behavioral practices, data-driven decision making systems, professional development opportunities, school leadership, supportive SEA and LEA policies, and evidence-based instructional strategies. The PBIS framework helps to improve behavioral and academic outcomes by improving school climate, preventing problem behavior, increasing learning time, promoting positive social skills, and delivering effective behavioral interventions and supports. PBIS does not mean any specific program or curriculum.
Association for Positive Behavior Support (APBS) is an international organization dedicated to promoting research-based strategies that combine applied behavior analysis and bio medical science with person-centered values and systems change to increase quality of life and decrease problem behaviors.
The Florida Positive Behavior Support Project is focused on increasing the capacity of Florida's school districts to address problem behaviors using Positive Behavior Support. Positive Behavior Support (PBS) gives people a new way to think about behavior. PBS is based on understanding why problem behaviors occur - the behavior's function. This approach to behavior can occur on a school-wide level, in a specific setting, classroom, or with an individual student. PBS is the application of evidence-based strategies and systems to assist schools to increase academic performance, increase safety, decrease problem behavior, and establish positive school cultures. On an individual level, PBS uses functional behavior assessments to understand the relationships between a student's behavior and characteristics of his or her environment. The functional behavior assessment identifies multiple strategies to effectively reduce problem behavior including changing systems, altering environments, teaching skills, and focusing on positive behaviors. The PBS process results in the creation of effective intervention plans that will impede problem behaviors, teach new skills, and create support systems for the student.
Family Engagement and Children with Disabilities
Harvard Family Research Project has complied a guide to assist parents and special education educators in creating successful outcomes for children with disabilities.
The Family Engagement Inventory
Another federal site, across service departments: Family engagement is recognized as a foundation for success across the human services and education fields. The Family Engagement Inventory (FEI) is designed to assist professionals in child welfare, juvenile justice, behavioral health, early education, and education to learn how family engagement is defined and implemented across these fields of practice.
https://www.childwelfare.gov/fei/
NAEYC
What does effective family engagement look like in action? There’s no one formula, but all 15 programs recognized by NAEYC’s Engaging Diverse Families project acts on the six principles of family engagement with many best practices in common.
https://www.naeyc.org/familyengagement
Parent & Family Engagement
A Department of Education federal site to support family engagement: Raising the next generation is a shared responsibility. When families, communities and schools work together, students are more successful and the entire community benefits.
http://www.ed.gov/parent-and-family-engagement
Harvard Family Research Project
Harvard Family Research Project (HFRP) works to advance family engagement policies and programs that are systemic, equitable, and respectful across the settings where children learn—at home, at school, and in the community. We create frameworks for action based on research and documentation; collaborate with partner organizations to transform policy conversations; and connect different sectors to ensure that children learn, thrive, and succeed.
http://www.hfrp.org/family-involvement
Statewide Family Support Directory
Statewide Family Support Directory--The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) provides funding for family support programs and services across the state designed to provide information, assistance, and an array of supportive services to families with children and adults with disabilities who are living at home. The Department views families as the best natural resource for individuals with disabilities and recognizes the importance of developing strong partnerships with families. Families know their children and their own strengths and needs. The design of the Family Support Services is to supplement and build upon the capacities of families, and should be flexible and respectful of cultural, economic, social, and spiritual differences. Any family can contact one of the Family Support Centers listed in this Directory for information and referral services. However, to receive other DDS funded family support services, an individual must be found eligible for DDS services and must be living at home with their family.
http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/dmr/reports/family-support/family-support-directory.pdf
Asperger's Association of New England (AANE)
The Asperger’s Association of New England (AANE)'s mission is to
foster awareness, respect, acceptance, and support for individuals
with AS and related conditions and their families.
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. Since then, Autism Speaks has grown into the nation's largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We are proud of what we've been able to accomplish and look forward to continued successes in the years ahead.
Federation for Children with Special Needs
The Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) offers parents and teachers support and education for all with children with special needs. The website offers workshops throughout the state that any parent or teacher may attend and they offer many helpful resources.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Formally known as the Department of Education (DOE) the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) offers parents in MA access to the education laws, education press releases, education links, and lots of other information. This site is hard to navigate but is loaded with useful information.
The ESE publishes extensive information for parents and school districts on its internet Websites. These Websites include pertinent laws, agency policies and useful documents that explain the special education process.
Autism Spectrum Disorder:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/advisories/07_1ta.html
Bureau of Special Education Appeals
http://www.doe.mass.edu/bsea/decisions.html
http://www.doe.mass.edu/bsea/forms/hearing_rules.doc
http://www.doe.mass.edu/bsea/forms/hearing.doc
http://www.doe.mass.edu/bsea/mediation.html
http://www.doe.mass.edu/bsea/forms/m_brochure.doc
http://www.doe.mass.edu/bsea/mediation.html?section=faq
http://www.doe.mass.edu/bsea/process.html
Discipline:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/IDEA2004/spr_meetings/disc_chart.doc
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act:
The Basic Special Education Process under IDEA:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/iep/process.doc
Individualized Education Program:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/iep
Individual Education Program Process Guide.
http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/iep/proguide.pdf
Independent Educational Evaluation:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/advisories/?section=admin
Observation of Education Programs by Parents and Their Designees for Evaluation Purposes:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/advisories/09_2.html
Parent’s Notice of Procedural Safeguards:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/prb.
PQA Problem Resolutions System compared to BSEA Due Process Complaint:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/complaintchart.doc
Program Quality Assurance Services Problem Resolution System:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/prs
Special Education Laws and Regulations:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/laws.html
Special Education Surrogate Parent:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/2002/news/1104memo.html
Special Education Transition Planning Form:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/28MR/28m9.doc
Student Records Regulations:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr23.html
Student Records Questions and Answers
http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/advisory/cmr23qanda.html?section.
Transition Planning:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/cspd/mod4.html#
SEPAC Facebook Page
Special Education Advocate
http://fcsn.org/pti/advocacy/advocacy_brochure.pdf
The William James Interface Referral Service
The William James INTERFACE Referral Service collects and categorizes a wide range of valuable resources related to mental health and wellness for the benefit of the general public — children, adults and families — as well as educators and mental health professionals.
In addition to the resources on this web site, the William James INTERFACE Referral Service maintains a mental health and wellness referral help line Monday through Friday, 9 am-5 pm, at 888-244-6843 (toll free). This is a free, confidential referral service for individuals across the lifespan living in participating communities. Callers are matched with licensed mental health providers from our extensive database. Each referral meets the location, insurance, and specialty needs of the caller. More information about the service and terms of confidentiality are on our Contact page.
For information about becoming a participating community, please email us or call 888-244-6843 (toll free).
https://interface.williamjames.edu/
Understood : for learning and attention issues
Parents want the best for their children. We do, too. For the first time ever, 15 nonprofit organizations have joined forces to support parents of the one in five children with learning and attention issues throughout their journey.
With the right support, parents can help children unlock their strengths and reach their full potential. With state-of-the-art technology, personalized resources, free daily access to experts, a secure online community, practical tips and more, Understood aims to be that support.
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) is the leading source of information on cerebral palsy and is a pivotal advocate for the rights of persons with any disability. As one of the largest health charities in America, the UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network.
Wrightslaw
Parents, educators, advocates, and attorneys come to Wrightslaw for accurate, reliable information about special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.