Behavioral Health and School: Key Information for Families

When a student struggles to maintain well-being, achievement at school can be a challenge. This video provides key information for families to seek school-based services for behavioral health needs. Included are two advocacy statements that this information might empower you to say in a meeting with the school: “I want to make sure my student’s Read More

Links for Learning in School

Learning in School: Links Questions to ask your child’s teacher, IEP team, and other professionals regarding your child’s educational goals and progress.

Mental Health Education and Support at School can be Critical

A Brief Overview Alarming statistics indicate the pandemic worsened many behavioral health outcomes for young people. Governor Jay Inslee on March 14, 2021, issued an emergency proclamation declaring children’s mental health to be in crisis. President Joe Biden issued a Fact Sheet about the nation’s mental health crisis on March 1, 2022, as part of his State Read More

Navigating Special Education in Private School

A Brief Overview When a family chooses to enroll their student with disabilities in a private school, they have different rights. Those rights are summarized in this article and further explained by U.S. Department of Education guidance issued in February 2022. School districts are responsible to seek out and evaluate all students suspected of having disabilities Read More

Supporting literacy: Text-to-Speech and IEP goal setting for students with learning disabilities

A child who struggles to read can quickly fall behind in school. Nearly every academic area includes some reading, and children might become confused or frustrated when they don’t get help to make sense of their schoolwork. Behavior challenges can result, and sometimes schools and parents struggle to understand why the student is having a Read More

Behavior and School: How to Participate in the FBA/BIP Process

This 2-part training has information about how to support a child’s behavior at school. When behavior gets in the way of learning, schools are responsible to figure out what the child is trying to communicate and to teach the child what to do instead. PAVE’s accessible, fillable worksheet goes with the videos to help with Read More

Long COVID May Cause Disability and Eligibility for Services

Some people infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus experience long-term symptoms—called Long COVID. If lasting symptoms significantly impact a person’s life, their ability to work, or their access to school, disability laws are in place to protect and support them. Among federal laws that support disability rights are the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Read More

Health Information for Families as Schools Reopen During COVID Pandemic

As schools open for the 2021-22 school year, families have decisions to make about health and safety. This article provides information and resources to address some key questions: What measures are schools required to take to keep children and staff safe? What COVID precautions should our family consider? What should we do if returning to Read More

Support for Youth Whose Post-High School Plans were Impacted by COVID-19

A Brief Overview Students who did not make adequate progress on IEP goals due to COVID-19 may be eligible for Recovery Services. IEP teams are responsible to make individualized, student-centered decisions about this option for additional educational services. Students who turned 21 and “aged out” of their IEP services during the pandemic may be eligible Read More

Military Family Resources for Youth and Young Adults Transitioning from High School

The links below will help you find resources for employment or post-high school education in any state to which you may move. NEW: Directory-University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) Directory of LEND programs Employment Employment Center at your installation (check out the installation website-under Morale, Welfare and Recreation) List of Vocational Rehabilitation agencies Read More

Evaluations Part 2: Next Steps if the School Says ‘No’

A Brief Overview Full Article Parents have a variety of choices if the school denies a request to evaluate a student for special education or if the school does an evaluation and finds the student ineligible for services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Here are some options to consider. Is disability a factor? A student qualifies for IEP services when three Read More

Child Find: Schools Have a Legal Duty to Evaluate Children Impacted by Disability

A Brief Overview School districts have an affirmative duty to locate, evaluate and potentially serve any infant, toddler or school-aged student impacted by disability under the Child Find Mandate — part of special education law. The duty to evaluate is based on a known or suspected disability that may significantly impact access to learning. Data from evaluation then determines eligibility. Read More

Social Emotional Learning, Part 3: Tools for Regulation and Resiliency

A Brief Overview Children who are taught self-regulation are more resilient and learn better in academics and more. This article describes a few practical tools and techniques that are aspects of Social Emotional Learning (SEL). “Kids do well if they can,” says Ross W. Greene, a child psychologist and author. In a short YouTube video, Greene says, Read More

Social Emotional Learning, Part 2: Trauma-Informed Instruction

A Brief Overview Understanding trauma and providing consistent skill building in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) can improve outcomes in education and elsewhere. Washington’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction provides free SEL training materials for educators and families on its website: k12.wa.us. Trauma-informed adults can use specific strategies to help children understand their emotions, describe Read More