October 26,2011
Each year our funding source request feedback from the community regarding the services the Area Board provides. Many of you have sent very kind emails to the Area Board which is always wonderful to recieve and share with our Board of Directors. I would appreciate your time in completing the Stakeholder Survey and returning it to me as soon as possibe but no later than November 10,2011. I thank you in advance for taking the time and look forward to your response.
July 7, 2011
Welcome to the Area Board 3 website and our new look. I would enjoy receiving your comments and thoughts about the site and if the navigation is easier to access information. Over the next few months we will continue to upgrade the information available on our site as well as adding features that will increase our ability to communication with you almost instantaneously. You will have an opportunity to receive Breaking News as a direct email without having to log on to our website each day. Further, as we update the site with new information you will have notice of the new materials as well. As we get closer to unveiling that element you will have a choice and simple instructions in becoming an interactive participant with Area Board 3.
I would like your comments and look forward to hearing from you in the coming weeks. Please send your thoughts to:
December 2005
A new year is approaching, which gives me the opportunity to share with you some thoughts and information from 2005.
In this past year our agency has had the privilege to work with a number of families that have adopted children with special needs. On our "LINKS" page you will find an addition of the North American Council on Adoptable Children. This site has numerous pages of very informative information regarding services and supports that may be available to families.
The Area Board has had an extraordinary year in providing Advocacy services to many families in both educational issues as well as regional center matters. If you would like a complete report on our year's activities, simply e-mail us requesting a copy of our Annual Report.
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May 2005
I see this forum as a way to share with families and interested parties concerns and comments regarding extraordinary issues which come across my desk and have an impact on children and adults served by our organization.
In the past two months, the California Department of Education has made a decision with regard to Special Education and Due Process. For many years, matters of disagreement between parents and school districts were resolved by McGeorge School of Law's Special Education Hearing Office (SEHO). Despite the success of the mediation process [97% of all due process cases being resolved in mediation] the State Department of Education decided to grant the RFP to the Office of Administrative Hearings, [noting a 40% case resolution from mediation] in their RFP proposal. Additionally, in reviewing the RFPs, no representation from parents or advocacy organizations was part of the review team. We believe that the panel was not representative of the "community at large" and that fact alone should be pause for reconsideration.
The process of resolving special education disputes is of critical importance to thousands of students, parents, educators and taxpayers throughtout the State. This is not a narrow contractual dispute that simply concerns the bidders. The Department of Education, Division of Special Education must intervene immediately to halt a fatally flawed process.
Your comments regarding this action should be addressed to :
Director, Division of Special Education
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 2401
Sacramento, California 95814
November 2001
The tragedy of September 11, 2001, and the change which will now impact many organizations and local governments will also have a dramatic impact on the way services are delivered to individuals with disabilities in California. Without doubt the change to the California economy will impact the dollars available to families and agencies who deliver services. One role that each of us can play over the next few months and years is to seek new and innovative ways to deliver quality services. Over the past few years the Area Board has discussed the use of vouchers in delivering cost effective services. To empower families and consumers to choose a level of support that each believes is appropriate to their level of need. Now is the time for all who support families and individuals to find new ways to listen and to follow. The role of the professional must change and now is the time to foster such action.
December 2000
One of the major goals for education this year is the need to integrate all the changes in the IDEA Reauthorization of 1997. Least Restrictive Environment amendments maintain the same LRE standards and requirements and adds that a state's funding formula must not violate these requirements by providing incentives to unnecessarily segregate children with disabilities. The new law further strengthens the LRE requirement by requiring an explanation of the extent to which the child will not participate with non disabled children in academic, non-academic and extracurricular activities. State And District Wide Assessments must include children with appropriate accommodations if necessary. For children who cannot participate in regular assessments, states must develop alternative assessments by July 2000.
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There are additional changes which will have an impact upon you as a parent and how your local district provides services in such areas as: Parent Participation In eligibility Decisions, Parent Participation In Placement Decisions, Reevaluations, Parent Consent For Evaluation, Charter Schools and many other categories. The Area Board has prepared a brief paper on the major impacts which is available by Email the me at: michaelr@areaboard3.org
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For those families and professionals interested in learning more about the impact of the changes in State and Federal Law the Area Board will conduct a Special Education Seminar at the Supported Life Conference, October 2001. For more information regarding registration please contact the Area Board office at 916.263-3085. Additionally, for those parents unable to attend on a weekday the seminar will be repeated on Saturday. If you are interested in the Saturday seminar please contact Lynne Castellucci at 916.263-3085.
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Over the next few months I will spend time on this page discussing the impact of Regional Center services on children transitioning from school to adult life. The Area Board has heard a great deal from many families on the impact that such a major life change has on all members of the family and your thoughts and ideas will be helpful in an open discussion. The Area Board is also discussing the possibility of developing a "live" bulletin board form to dialogue about the many issues confronting families and consumers. Your thoughts on the matter would be appreciated.
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The Area Board maintains a For Your Information page which you can access by clicking on "FYI".
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One final note. I always look forward to your comments so please communicate. You can reach me at: michaelr@areaboard3.org.