Read the latest from PACER

Teens: Cast Your @15 Votes Through October to Support PACER’s Bullying Prevention Programs
Best Buy’s @15 Change Exchange program has included PACER as a nonprofit partner. Teens’ votes determine what percentage of $250,000 PACER’s bullying prevention programs will receive. Here’s how it works: Teens age 13 to 18 can go to at15.com, where they register, earn points in various ways (1,500 points just for registering!), then click on the “@15 Change Exchange” section of the Web site to give their points to one or more of the four charity partners listed-including PACER’s new TeensAgainstBullying.org Web site. Tell teens you know throughout the country to sign up now and pass the word! Teens can earn more points for PACER’s bullying prevention programs when they refer a friend to the site. Voting takes place Oct. 15 – 30. More

Alexa Posny Confirmed as Assistant Secretary to OSERS
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Alexa Posny as Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) at the U.S. Department of Education. Posny comes to the Department of Education from Kansas where she served as Commissioner of Education for the state. Prior to her work as commissioner, Posny served as the director of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) for the U.S. Department of Education, a position in which she assisted state and local efforts to effectively educate all children and youth with disabilities. More

Simon Technology Center Open House is Nov. 14
PACER’s Simon Technology Center open house is Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The theme of this 22nd annual event is “Trends and Technology Tools; Come See What’s Cool!” Open to people of all ages and ability levels, the event highlights cutting-edge assistive technologies, including options for communication, computer accessibility, education, early childhood, literacy, recreation, vision, and more. Come talk with vendors, register for prizes, sample assistive technology, attend hands-on mini sessions on social networking sites and Internet safety for kids, and more. Children can complete accessible art projects, attend a magic show, ride an adapted bike, and try technology.
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Federal and Military Employees Can Donate to PACER During Workplace Charity Drive
If you are a federal civilian, military, or postal employee, you are eligible to contribute to PACER Center through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity drive at your workplace. Look for PACER in your local campaign booklet under the Children’s Charities of America (CCA) heading or alphabetically. You also can watch a video about one of PACER’s programs by visiting cfcvideospeakersbureau.org and entering PACER as the keyword. To designate your gift to PACER, use code 12272. This code is unique to PACER and should be used under any heading where you see PACER’s name listed. The charity drive will run from September through mid-December. Contribute at your workplace this fall to keep PACER’s important programs available at no charge! More

Register Now for the Free “Welcoming, Honoring, and Connecting Conference” Oct. 22 & 23
Parents will learn new ways to support their children’s education at the Minnesota Parent Center’s third annual dinner and conference. The free event includes a dinner (Oct. 22, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.) and a conference (Oct. 23, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) that features informative breakout sessions and an inspiring keynote presentation by Minnesota Rep. Mindy Greiling. It’s at PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, MN. Register now.

New Report Urges Health Care Reform for People with Disabilities
The National Council on Disability (NCD) has released a report titled The Current State of Health Care for People with Disabilities, calling for immediate health care reform for people with disabilities. Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) led the team that researched and wrote this landmark report. According to NCD Chairperson John R. Vaughn, “NCD undertook this study in 2007 to focus the nation’s attention on the health care disparities experienced by people with disabilities, and to provide information and recommendations that can help to eliminate health care inequities for people with disabilities.” The report, released Sept. 30, provides a road map for eliminating the pervasive barriers to health care for people with disabilities, highlights the health care disparities experienced by people with disabilities, and makes recommendations to eliminate health care inequities. More

The American Academy of Pediatrics Answers Parents’ Questions about Autism
In the wake of a national survey that showed the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders is approximately 1 in 91 U.S. children, the American Academy of Pediatrics has prepared a question and answer document about autism and the study. View it here.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month
President Obama announced in early October that his administration is taking several steps to ensure fair and equal access to employment for all Americans, particularly the 54 million people in this country living with disabilities. The announcement came during National Disability Employment Awareness Month, whose theme is Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation! Learn more at the Web sites of the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Labor.

PACER’s Gone Digital!
Social media is taking the world by storm, and PACER Center is on board! PACER’s Facebook page, Twitter page, and YouTube channel let you and PACER stay connected, anytime, anywhere. Parent Centers can find their social media connection with the ALLIANCE at taalliance.org. So, friend us, follow us, and watch us today with just the click of a button! More

Publications
Updated! Surrogate Parent Resources

The revised edition of “Children in Need of Surrogate Parents: Program Rules and Procedures in Minnesota” covers federal and state requirements, offers suggestions for public agency procedures, answers frequently asked questions, and provides resources including sample forms. Call PACER at 952-838-9000 or 800-537-2237 to order. The cost is $9 or $6 each for 10 or more copies. More

Programs and Resources
PACER Center is a Minnesota nonprofit organization that provides services to families of children and young adults with any disability. More