Click on the topic to view registration information. The Professional sessions will take place on Thursday afternoons from 2:45-4:00 p.m. Participants must register 48 hours in advance to guarantee needed accommodations.
9/3/2020
Presented by Art Cernosia
This session will provide a review and analysis of special education legal developments within the last year. Both new federal policy and judicial decisions under the IDEA and Section 504 will be covered, with an emphasis on 9th Circuit cases.
9/10/2020
Presented by Art Cernosia
This session will provide registered attendees an opportunity to submit questions specific to their situations, and Art will share relevant legal cases. Email questions to the conference inbox by 9/4/2020 to be considered for the session.
9/24/2020
Presented by Heidi Putnam and Scott Dobkovsky
This session will provide attendees with an overview of the state general supervision activities provided by the Program Support and Monitoring (PSM) unit of ADE/ESS. Attendees will receive a general overview of the monitoring process, the role of the PSM specialist, and updates for this school year.
10/1/2020
Presented by Lori Bird, Danell Lynn, and Tommi Pierce
The IDEA envisions harmonious teams of school staff and parents coming together to create an IEP that meets the needs of the student. But what happens when harmony turns to disagreement and discord? Dispute resolution offers several ways to refocus and get back into agreement. In this session you will learn about mediation, evaluative mediation, facilitated IEP and Offers of Early Resolution along with tips on how to best leverage these processes to work for you. There will be time to answer your questions after the presentation.
10/22/2020
Providing Transition Activities During the Pandemic
Presented by Ana L. Núñez
There are no federal waivers for IDEA during the pandemic. Transition activities are still expected to be provided to all students with disabilities with a transition plan in place. Transition activities are part of the coordinated set of services that provide students with disabilities opportunities to explore aspects of their postsecondary goals in order to make informed decisions. The secondary transition team will review best practice strategies and provide some resources that will support the IEP team in making decisions for providing transition activities during the pandemic.
10/29/2020
Essential Trauma-Informed Online Teaching Tools
Presented by Matthea Marquart, MSSW, Janice Carello PhD, LMSW, and Johanna Creswell Báez, PhD, LCSW
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, most educators from pre-K through higher education had never taught online, and most students had not yet taken an online course. With a lot of effort on all sides, we made it through a rapid transition to emergency remote teaching during the spring semester. As educators prepare for a fall semester that will likely include expanded online courses, we urge schools and institutions to prioritize a trauma-informed approach, whether or not courses move online. Trauma shows up in the classroom in many ways, and, for students, it may lead to behaviors that challenge teachers, such as withdrawing from class participation, experiencing difficulty focusing and remembering, demonstrating anxiety about schoolwork, and missing classes or deadlines. Now, imagine that these behaviors are affecting a large number of students in one class and that the teacher responsible for dealing with them is also experiencing trauma symptoms. This session will discuss tools available for teachers to use in various environments that will allow for trauma-informed practices to be utilized.
11/5/2020
Pump the Brakes: Merging Assistive Technology and the Transition Planning Process
Presented by Mary Keeney, Lisa Livesay, and Margaret Egan
Unsure how to support your students with high-incidence disabilities in understanding and prioritizing their postsecondary Assistive Technology (AT) needs? This session will review two major topics, AT and transition planning, and discuss how they overlap. The steps to the transition planning process will be reviewed, and the definition of AT will be shared. Discover strategies that will prepare you for the challenge of both identifying appropriate AT for postsecondary environments and how the transition planning process can support the student in learning how to use AT tools. Hypothetical examples of AT will be presented, and connections will be made to the various postsecondary environments (employment, education/training, and independent living). The overlap of AT within the age-appropriate transition assessments and measurable post-secondary goals will be covered during the webinar
11/12/2020
Let's Make Lemonade! Leadership in the Times of COVID-19
Presented by Frances Stetson
It is a long-held belief that when truly difficult times arrive, it offers leaders the opportunity to reconsider, reimagine, and revitalize our processes and results. This is particularly true as we all face COVID-19 and its challenges for educators. There truly are opportunities to rethink our delivery, and we will look back on this time as one of personal and professional trials and undiscovered gifts! This session will present guideposts for effective leadership while maintaining the priorities for continuing progress toward improved outcomes, equity, and inclusion for all students. Leadership 2020!!!!
12/3/2020
Let's Google It! Transition Resources for Transition Planning
Presented by Sam Klein
The Internet is jam-packed with potential tools to support the transition planning process. Come explore resources to support transition planning and post-school outcomes in this interactive session. We’ll examine online resources for assessments, postsecondary goals, and activities. Plus, you’ll gain access to an online resource hub. Let’s fill your transition toolbox with digital resources!
12/10/2020
Specially Designed Instruction (SDI): What Does It Look Like in 2020 and Beyond?
Presented by Carol Kosnitsky
Reexamining our understanding of specially designed instruction has never been more important. Districts must develop IEPs that can pivot across multiple formats, including in-person, hybrid, and remote learning. This session will review current research on high-leverage practices in special education and the taxonomy of intensive interventions. By revisiting what we already know about effective instruction, we identify the building blocks for SDI and ways to adapt to these new times. Participants will leave with resources and tools to assist staff build confidence and systems that work!
01/07/2021
Remote Learning Strategies for Students with Significant Learning Needs
Presented by STAR Autism
This presentation provides a comprehensive look at synchronous remote learning strategies found to be successful for students with significant learning needs, including students who struggle with communication, attending, and behavioral expectations. We will explore the remote learning platform, the STAR Online Learning System (SOLS), an evidence-based, scaffolded curriculum for preschool, elementary, and secondary students with autism and other developmental disabilities. An interactive, instructor-led curriculum, SOLS lessons can be tailored to students’ individual IEP goals and can reinforce the development of new skills and routines. Participants will learn about strategies and tools to use during virtual instruction in order to teach language, academics, play, and social skills for pre-K through post-secondary students. Examples of assessments, lesson plans, and progress monitoring systems will be shared.
01/14/2021
Providing Seamless Instruction
Presented by STAR Autism
Due to the circumstances related to COVID-19, many educators are providing instruction to students in a variety of settings. Educators are faced with the challenge of providing seamless instruction to students with significant learning needs as some students receive in-person instruction and others receive remote learning instruction. This presentation provides a comprehensive approach to transitioning students from remote learning to in-person learning using data to drive instructional decisions. We will explore tools in the remote learning platform, the STAR Online Learning System (SOLS), and The STAR Program (Strategies for Teaching based on Autism Research), which is primarily used for in-person learning. Both tools are evidence-based, scaffolded curricula for preschool and elementary students with autism and other developmental disabilities. Strategies and tools to create seamless instruction regardless of settings will be explored. Participants will be provided with examples of assessments, data collection tools, progress monitoring systems, schedules, and classroom maps. Video examples of both remote learning sessions and in-person learning sessions will be shared. Free resources will be provided for teachers to use to explain new routines and social expectations related to COVID-19.
01/28/2021
Engaging Parents in the IEP Process
Presented by Raising Special Kids
This workshop is designed for professional development for pre-service teachers, special education teachers, and related service staff. Discover ways to engage families in their child’s IEP, and how Raising Special Kids supports you in that effort. During the presentation, participants will also hear stories from experienced Raising Special Kids parent volunteers.
02/04/2021
Surrogate Parents: When, Why, and How?
Presented by Stefanie Sharkey
There is a great need for surrogate parents to represent our growing population of students without a guardian to represent them in the Special Education process. This training is an overview for directors to become knowledgeable about the Surrogate Parent Program. The session will cover when a surrogate parent is necessary and how to obtain one. The session will cover the ins and outs of the program and answer any questions that arise from the presentation.
02/11/2021
On Becoming a Next Generation Leader for Education
Presented by Jim Squires
Early development and learning reform present a new paradigm for excellence and adaptability, and the demand for new leaders is great, especially for those promoting inclusive practices. Persons in positions of authority and responsibility have often relied on personal experience to acquire needed leadership skills rather than benefiting from an intentional, focused pathway to learn what it takes to become an effective leader. This session will offer practical information and guidance to help every educator and administrator re-examine his or her role as leader and embrace the opportunity to step up confidently as a next generation leader for children and families.
02/25/2021
Presented by George Garcia
As young adults age within the school system, parents and educators are faced with the tough decision of whether to pursue Guardianship for students with disabilities. Searching for an alternative to Legal Guardianship for people with disabilities? Join this session to learn more about how Supported Decision-Making serves as a less restrictive alternative to Guardianship and how to develop a plan of support that will allow a person with a disability to keep his or her rights while getting the support he or she needs to live independently.
Click on the session topic to review registration information. The Youth and Family sessions will take place on Tuesday afternoons from 4:00-5:00 p.m. Participants must register 48 hours in advance to guarantee needed accommodations.
9/1/2020
High School Transition Training
Presented by Raising Special Kids
Learn about what is included in the IEP transition planning process, which should start by the student’s 16th birthday. Explore how to use the student’s identified strengths, preferences, and interests to set transition goals to prepare him or her for higher education, vocational training or employment, and independent living.
9/15/2020
Get Your Edge—Job Application Basics
Presented by ASU
Edge exists to provide youth with engaging, impactful training that creates a solid foundation from which to launch a career. Through Edge training, youth will be better equipped to serve, which assures managers that the Edge employees they recruit and retain are more ready for their jobs. Edge is a part of the national 100,000 Opportunities Initiative, which aims to employ and support 1,000,000 youth. As a truly collaborative effort, the entire Edge initiative is powered by Arizona State University through generous support from Schultz Family Foundation.
10/6/2020
Talking to Your Child About Sexuality, part 1
Presented by Raising Special Kids
Examine barriers to talking about sexuality and gain knowledge about sexuality and developmental disabilities. Acquire and practice skills communicating about sexuality with young and grown children. This is the first of a two-part series.
10/20/2020
Presented by ASU
Edge exists to provide youth with engaging, impactful training that creates a solid foundation from which to launch a career. Through Edge training, youth will be better equipped to serve, which assures managers that the Edge employees they recruit and retain are more ready for their jobs. Edge is a part of the national 100,000 Opportunities Initiative, which aims to employ and support 1,000,000 youth. As a truly collaborative effort, the entire Edge initiative is powered by Arizona State University through generous support from Schultz Family Foundation.
11/3/2020
Talking to Your Child About Sexuality, part 2
Presented by Raising Special Kids
Examine barriers to talking about sexuality and gain knowledge about sexuality and developmental disabilities. Acquire and practice skills communicating about sexuality with young and grown children. This is the second of a two-part series.
11/17/2020
Disability Rights: Access, Equality, Inclusion
Presented by Diverse Ability Incorporated Youth Leaders
Join the Arizona Youth Leaders of Diverse Ability Incorporated for an overview of the history of the disability rights movement, and how those efforts have influenced the access, equality, and inclusion of people who have disabilities.
12/1/2020
Presented by Raising Special Kids
Learn about the different legal options families should consider when their child becomes an adult at the age of 18. Become familiar with the steps of the guardianship process. Participants will learn how they can stay involved in decision-making with schools, doctors, and other professionals.
12/15/2020
Self-Determination: Choices, Decisions, Actions
Presented by Arizona Youth Leaders of Diverse Ability Incorporated
Join the Arizona Youth Leaders of Diverse Ability Incorporated for an overview of self-determination and an opportunity to recognize and appreciate your skills that lead to greater independence.
01/05/2021
Presented by Raising Special Kids
Learn about the special education process and the Individualized Education Program (IEP). At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will understand who is required to attend the IEP meeting and the roles of each team member (including parents), review the required parts of an IEP, learn how parents can prepare for and be more effective during the IEP meeting, how to track their child’s progress, and discover the options available if the IEP team does not agree.
01/19/2021
Self-Advocacy: Initiative, Accountability, Respect
Presented by Arizona Youth Leaders of Diverse Ability Incorporated
Join the Arizona Youth Leaders of Diverse Ability Incorporated for an overview of self-advocacy and an opportunity to practice sticking up for yourself and shining out.
02/02/2021
Social Security Benefits During the Pandemic
Presented by Jack Burns
This session will highlight how Social Security services look during the pandemic and provide an update on any changes in the Supplemental Security (SSI) benefit program. An overview of the Age 18 Redetermination process and some of the Employment Supports that are available to SSI beneficiaries will also be reviewed.
02/16/2021
Skills to Pay the Bills: Let's Explore Communication!
Presented by Arizona Youth Leaders of Diverse Ability Incorporated
Join the Arizona Youth Leaders of Diverse Ability Incorporated for an opportunity to develop helpful communication skills for home, school, and work.
