1. State Special Education Advisory Committee Constituency Reports
December 2018

2. SSEAC Constituency Reports page 2 of 17 December 2018
Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services
(DARS)
Commendation:
National Job Shadow Month February 2019

3. SSEAC Constituency Reports page 3 of 17 December 2018
Department of Juvenile Justice
(DJJ)
Commendation:
Orton Gillingham training in December 2018  

4. SSEAC Constituency Reports page 4 of 17 December 2018
Foster Care
(DSS)
Concerns:
Foster care students have continuity in their education
Complying with state special education regulations while maintaining educational stability is the most requested topic for TA. When CSA is involved, the process is even more complex
Students placed in private placement is removing responsibility for FAPE from the school division of residence-LRE
Commendations:
Joint trainings offered for local DSS and school staff on the processes for students with disabilities

5. SSEAC Constituency Reports page 5 of 17 December 2018
Higher Education
Commendations:
Training education grant money came through; earlier notification would be better to prevent slowing progress
Grant received for 50 micro credentials and 450 educators have enrolled in the program

6. SSEAC Constituency Reports page 6 of 17 December 2018
Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center
(PEATC)
The top four current STATEWIDE trends from intakes:
Eligibility issues (this is a daily call we receive)
IEP Concerns/Questions
Transition
Bullying

7. SSEAC Constituency Reports page 7 of 17 December 2018
Persons with a Disability
Commendations:
I’m Determined applications will become available soon

8. SSEAC Constituency Reports page 8 of 17 December 2018
Teacher
Concerns:
Family and Community Engagement
Parental Accountability and Education
Equality in Caseloads; large caseloads and lack of time
Gen Ed and SPED teacher both request less PD on the Collaboration/Inclusion models and more PD for Gen Ed teachers, that are being required to serve students within the Gen Ed setting, to add strategies and modifications to their toolboxes. This request is initiated by the Gen Ed teachers due to the number of inclusive practices with SWD, and a shortage of time and resources related to the SPED teachers

9. SSEAC Constituency Reports page 9 of 17 December 2018
Teacher
Commendations:
Encouragements of the Districts to present Professional Development on relevant and current topics; i.e. Mental Health Awareness, Trauma-Informed Care, Parental Accountability, and State Endorsed Advocates
Districts presenting Professional Development that is relevant to the needs of both Special Education Teachers and General Education Teacher
Parent Information Seminars being held in each Region

10. SSEAC Constituency Reports page 10 of 17 December 2018
McKinney-Vento
Concern:
Ongoing challenge for students with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness is assisting schools divisions in determining who is responsible for FAPE when a student remains in his/her school of origin in a school division where the student is not currently residing.

11. SSEAC Constituency Reports page 11 of 17 December 2018
Virginia Board for People with Disabilities
(VBPD)
Board Updates:
Recruiting for Partners in Policymaking
Releasing a competitive RFP this month focused on several areas: community supports, under and inequitably served populations and self advocacy
Proposals that seek to address African American students with developmental and other disabilities who are disproportionately affected by exclusionary discipline practices. Priority will be given to divisions who are not current participants in VTSS

12. SSEAC Constituency Reports page 12 of 17 December 2018
Region 1 Parent Representative
Concerns:
Transition Services
Inclusion vs. self-contained classrooms
Parental engagement and lack of trusting relationships
Commendations:
Active parents and high parent engagements in some districts
Training in trauma-informed care and restorative practices

13. SSEAC Constituency Reports page 13 of 17 December 2018
Region 3 Parent Representative
Concerns:
Early intervention
Lack Consistent participation
Commendations:
I’m Determined Program

14. SSEAC Constituency Reports page 14 of 17 December 2018
Region 4 Parent Representative
Concerns:
Communication
Lack of parent training and misunderstanding the role of SEAC
Transition
Lack of funding to provide resources/services in inclusive settings, i.e., Board Certified Behavior Analysts(BCBA's), teachers and teacher recruitment
Commendations:
Critical Decision Points and SEAC training
Resource fairs and I’m Determined

15. SSEAC Constituency Reports page 15 of 17 December 2018
Region 5 Parent Representative
Commendations:
Parent trainings on instructional activities, professional development resources, and community inclusive initiatives
School-wide Inclusion Day with a community fair and disability awareness activities
Grant to improve Inclusive Practices

16. SSEAC Constituency Reports page 16 of 17 December 2018
Region 6 Parent Representative
Concerns:
SEAC active parental involvement/participation
Lack of funding for speech language pathologists, teaching assistants, and registered behavior technicians
Helping non-disabled children in the family understand the special needs of their siblings
Minimum quarterly SEAC meetings not occurring

17. SSEAC Constituency Reports page 17 of 17 December 2018
Region 6 Parent Representative
Commendations:
TEACH program will allow students this year to work at Dabney S. Lancaster Community College (DSLCC), CVS, Food Lion, Alleghany Lewis Gale Hospital, YMCA and the public library
Sensory night that promotes gross motor, fine motor, and other skills important to the special education community
Learning labs, TeachTown, Autism Coaches, Individualized Program, Strong Inclusion, and the Parent Resource Center Open House