SOMA Special Education Parents Advisory Committee Overview
Discover the role and responsibilities of SOMA SEPAC, a group committed to advocating for students with special needs in the South Orange-Maplewood School District. Learn how they provide input, collaborate with the administration, and work towards improving special education services.
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Presentation Transcript
SOUTH ORANGE MAPLEWOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE September 30, 2017
SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY GROUPS (SEPAGS) SEPAGs are required for all school districts in New Jersey. The purpose of these groups is to provide opportunities for parents and community members to offer input to their districts on critical issues relating to students with disabilities. New Jersey Administrative Code 6A:14-1.2(h) Each board of education shall ensure that a special education parent advisory group is in place in the district to provide input to the district on issues concerning students with disabilities.
ROLE OF A SEPAG Provide direct input on the policies, programs and practices that impact services and supports for children with disabilities and their families. Increase the involvement of families of children with special needs in making recommendations on special education policy. Advise on matters that pertain to the education, health and safety of children with special needs. Advise on unmet needs of children with disabilities.
SOMA SEPAC MISSION STATEMENT United with the district and its commitment to excellence for all our children, SOMA SEPAC will work for the understanding of, respect for, and support of students with special needs who receive special education services in the South Orange-Maplewood School District. To that end, SOMA SEPAC will: Provide a forum to share and discuss matters and interest for parent/guardians of students with special needs. Provide direct input to the BOE and district administration on policies, programs and practices that impact support for students with special needs and their parent/guardians. Advocate for the continual improvement of the district s special education program. Any parent/guardian of a student with special needs in South Orange-Maplewood may become a voting member of SEPAC. Any concerned citizen or SOMA school district employee may attend SOMA SEPAC regular meetings.
SOMA SEPAC RESPONSIBILITIES Facilitate ongoing meetings with Special Services Administration Discuss issues related to delivery of special services, faculty and staff professional development, program offerings, family concerns and feedback Collaborate with administration and BOE on special education policy and budget analysis Partner with various parent organizations to identify systemic issues and trends to address with Administration
2016-17 ACCOMPLISHMENTS Established a more cooperative and productive relationship between the special education community and the Administration and BOE Spearheaded the creation of the new District Special Education Resource Packet, which can be found here: https://sepacsoma.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/special-ed- resource-packet-2016-may.pdf Provided significant input to the new 504 Policy adopted by the BOE in 2016 Enhanced the focus on special education issues in BOE elections by instituting the candidate statement process in 2016, which can be found here: http://villagegreennj.com/election/south-orange- maplewood-boe-candidates-answer-questions-special- education/ Provided extensive budget analysis and commentary to Administration and the BOE in support of special education funding Hosted public discussions with experts about various subjects including; special ed programming and scheduling, transition planning, the Strategic Action Plans impact on special ed, the district budget, auditory processing disorder, IEP meeting planning and others Hosted periodic public Q&A s on special education with the Superintendent, Director of Special Services and other district personnel Represented South Orange-Maplewood at statewide and regional conferences to strategize, network and share best practices with other
SOMA SEPAC PRIORITIES FOR 2017-18 504 Policy and Regulations Access and Equity Policy for students with IEPs/504 Code of Conduct Policy Revisions Improve Home-Special Services Communication Least Restrictive Environment Settlement Special Education Budget and Planning Classroom Technology Disparity Out of District School Transportation Issues Case Manager Training and Caseload Expand the role of the district s Transition Coordinator Special Service Resource Allotment
2017-2018 SOMA SEPAC EXECUTIVE BOARD President Erin Siders Vice President Reesa Salomon Secretary Nedra Cabbagestalk Communications/Outreach Officer Bernie Hackler Policy & Programming Officer Mike Thompson Special Education Budget Chair Mike Donoghue BOE Liaison Jenny Lindstrom
RESOURCES SOMA SEPAC: https://sepacsoma.org/ SOMSD Website: http://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/Domain/32 District Guide to the Special Education Process Parent Information/Resources Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/somaspecialeducationcomm unity/ Understood for learning and attention issues: https://www.understood.org/en Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN): http://www.spanadvocacy.org/ New Jersey Department of Education Special Education: http://www.state.nj.us/education/specialed/ Cynthia Hoenes-Saindon, NJ Special Education Ombudsman Phone: 609-292-0147 Fax: 609-984-8422 Email: specedombudsman@doe.state.nj.us
