LOCAL TASK FORCE CHAIRS/CO-CHAIRS BY AMY DELUCA STATE TASK FORCE CHAIR

WHAT IS MY ROLE ? As a Chair or Vice chair of the Local Task Force, you will be:  Attending the State Task Force meetings and trainings.  Setting meeting schedule for the year.  Planning meeting agendas and presenters.  Leading the Local Task Force meetings.  Working with IU and district contacts, your local Arc and other agencies  Working with and guiding parents to resources.

ATTENDING THE STATE TASK FORCE MEETINGS AND TRAININGS. Be able to attend the 5 yearly state task force meetings; or send a designee in your place. Report back to the LTF information gained from the State Task Force meeting. Use materials for turn around training. Attend any trainings for the Local Task Force Leadership or send a designee. Attend the Annual PDE conference.

STATE TASK FORCE MEETINGS The State Task Force Meetings will be downlinked to the following locations for your convenience.  Pattan KOP  Pattan PGH  Pattan Harrisburg  IU 6  IU 10  IU 18 No additional downlink requests will be accepted this year.

STATE TASK FORCE WEBSITE What will I find on this website?  A valuable resource for information.  Meetings dates  Contact information  Meeting minutes /agendas  Important documents Let’s review the site! state task force website

Each LTF must have no less than 5 meetings per year. Meetings times/days should fit the needs of the total membership. Meetings should be publicized or advertised by July 15 of each year. Remember, gaining parent participation and membership is key! SETTING MEETING SCHEDULE FOR THE YEAR

PLANNING MEETING AGENDAS AND PRESENTERS. Presenters can be utilized but are not required. Ask district or IU personnel to present on topics of interest to the LTF. Sample Agenda/minutes should include recommendations and communications from the State Task Force. Let’s take a look at a few examples!!

SAMPLE LTF MINUTES

SAMPLE 2 LTF MINUTES

LEADING THE LOCAL TASK FORCE MEETINGS.  Calling the meeting to order.  Following an agenda.  Keeping order at the meeting.  Seeking assistance when needed. * If you are having any difficulty or conflict that can’t be resolved at the local level, contact the State Task Force Chairperson. The State Task Force will help to resolve the conflict.

WORKING WITH IU AND DISTRICT CONTACTS, YOUR LOCAL ARC, AND OTHER AGENCIES  Work collaboratively with IU and district staff, your local Arc and any other agency.  Become familiar with special education programs and plans.  Review special education data for IU and district using Penn data.  Special Education plans and monitoring reports will now be available online as a direct result of the State Task Force. You may utilize this information to “review” district data, training and compliance.

WORKING WITH AND GUIDING PARENTS TO RESOURCES Utilize Pattan resources for materials and trainings Make contact with the Bureau of Special education Adviser for your area Special Education Adviser list Keep important numbers handy to give to parents: _ Bureau of Special Education _ State Task Force Chair _Consult line _Pattan Offices Pgh , HRB , KOP _ The Arc of PA to find your local Arc

HOW TO RESOLVE A PROBLEM Parents will come to the LTF with individual problems. Here is a guide to help you help parents. You should: Refer the matter back to the representative of the school district and/or IU first. Often, folks have not spoken to someone in charge i.e. Director of Special Education, Superintendent, etc. If not successful then, Refer the matter to the Special Education Adviser assigned to the area in which the problem is occurring. You can also use your list of resources to provide the parent with options. Giving them the consult line number, other agencies if appropriate.

SYSTEMIC ISSUES Systemic issue is best defined as circumstances where the non compliance would impact more than 10% of the special education population. Sometimes you will begin to see similar complaints/issues coming from one district/IU. What will you do ? If the issue remains unresolved, then use the systemic issue form to submit the issue to the State Task Force. The State Task Force Chairperson may contact you to gain more information. The issue will then be reviewed by the State Task Force and a resolution proposed.

IN CLOSING…. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." — Margaret Mead