Grandparents Raising Grandchildren April 25, 2013 Dr. Sabrina Salmon Special Education Coordinator Oklahoma State Department of Education

Agenda Introductions Families, Schools, and Communities Special Education Services Scenarios Resources Questions and Answers Conclusion

Famous Quotes The reason grandparents and grandchildren get along so well is that they have a common enemy. ~ Sam Levenson Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.~ Alex Haley

Share Your Story Various roads might lead individuals to the same destination. How did you become a grandparent raising a grandchild?

Building Relationships Families Schools Communities

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) IDEA is our nation's special education law. IDEA stands for Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. The IDEA was originally enacted by Congress in 1975 to make sure that children with disabilities had the opportunity to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE), just like other children.

Special Education and Related Services A multidisciplinary team conducts a comprehensive evaluation to determine eligibility for special education services. Students who meet the criteria for special education services may receive an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The team determines the placement that a student needs, appropriate services, and a plan to provide those services.

The Evaluation Group Parent or Guardian Special Education Teacher General Education Teacher District Representative A Qualified Examiner The Student if older than 16 years of age Other Individuals or Agencies invited by the Parent or the School District or who have special expertise or knowledge of your child

Disability Categories ■ Autism ■ Deaf-blindness ■ Deafness ■ Developmental delay ■ Emotional disturbance ■ Hearing impairment ■ Intellectual disability ■ Multiple disabilities ■ Orthopedic impairment ■ Other health impairment ■ Specific learning disability ■ Speech or language impairment ■ Traumatic brain injury ■ Visual impairment, including blindness

Your grandchild has a diagnosis of ADHD and has started to have trouble concentrating on tasks at school. What should you do? Your grandchild has an IEP. You spoke with your grandchild’s teacher and she keeps promising to provide accommodations, but does not. What should you do? Scenarios

Resources Oklahoma State Department of Education The Oklahoma Parents Center Phone:

Community Support Group Meetings Behavioral Health Services Community Agencies Additional Resources Contact Jacquline Jackson, M.A