Read the latest from PACER

Minnesota youth with disabilities, parents, and advocates are invited to join PACER and the Coalition for Children with Disabilities on Wednesday, Feb. 17, for “Celebrating Differences, Protecting Rights: Special Education Day at the Capitol.” Participants will hear an update on the 2009 Minnesota legislative session, gain insight into 2010 legislative issues, learn valuable skills for sharing their personal stories with their legislators, and then will visit their respective legislators at the state Capitol in the afternoon. It’s at the Minnesota History Center, Irvine Room, 345 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, Minn. Preregistration is required. More

“Impact: Feature Issue on Early Childhood Education and Children with Disabilities” is a free publication that addresses how early childhood professionals and families can provide quality, inclusive early childhood education for young children with and without disabilities. This edition includes an article on KidSmart, a national early childhood technology program of IBM and PACER designed to help children with and without disabilities learn in inclusive environments. Other articles include reflections from parents, practical strategies from researchers and practitioners, notes from innovative inclusive early childhood programs from around the country, and a range of resources for families and professionals. Published by the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration, it’s available online at http://ici.umn.edu/products/impact/221. You also may request a free pri nt copy by calling the Institute’s Publications Office at 612-624-4512 or e-mailing icipub@umn.edu.

Through a paid internship program, PACER’s Project C3 (Connecting Youth to Communities and Careers) has produced a cutting edge Web-based resource mapping tool (c3mn.org). It is designed to help youth, families, and professionals find more than 1,000 Minnesota youth organizations that offer employment, transportation, housing, education, health, and recreation services. In addition, the database fosters collaborations among youth-serving agencies and is a nationally recognized model for providing paid work experiences to youth with disabilities. An innovative effort among several state agencies and PACER Center, partners include the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Vocational Rehabilitation program, Office of Youth Development and Pathways to Employment program, and the Minnesota Department of Education. These organizations came together with local Workforce Centers and high schools to support internships to help local youth learn, earn, and participate in community activities. Read more about project outcomes and how Project C3 has made a difference in the lives of youth with disabilities.

PACER is listed as a nonprofit on GoodSearch.com and GoodShop.com. If you select PACER as the nonprofit you want to support, PACER receives a donation each time you use either site. GoodSearch donates approximately 1.3 cents per search; GoodShop gives about 3 percent of your online purchase price. So, this holiday season, use GoodSearch.com and start your online shopping at GoodShop.com. PACER and children with disabilities and their families will benefit from your “Good” activities online.

Parents can use the tips in this new resource to help their children be ready for kindergarten. It includes helpful information and lots of everyday activities families can do together to support school readiness. To order your free copy, call 952-838-9000 or e-mail mnpirc@PACER.org.

The U.S. Department of Education’s popular college preparation checklist has been expanded and updated. The checklist provides a “to do” list, starting with elementary school, to help students and parents prepare academically and financially for education beyond high school. The publication also includes information for students getting a late start preparing for college, and adult students who have never attended or finished college. It’s free and available in English and Spanish. Find it here.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed “Seasonal and 2009 H1N1 Flu: For Parents Who Have Children or Adolescents with High-Risk Medical Conditions.” The brochure provides specific information regarding which children are considered to be at risk, including those with asthma; neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions; chronic lung disease; heart disease; disorders of the blood, kidney, liver; disorders of the endocrine or metabolic systems; and more. View it.

Teach preschool and elementary children about disabilities in a positive, entertaining way with PACER’s starter puppet package, a cost-effective way for schools and organizations to acquire the popular COUNT ME IN® disability awareness puppets and scripts. Supplements to the starter package include additional puppets and scripts focusing on topics such as autism, ADHD, Tourette syndrome, and, beginning in 2010, bullying prevention. For more information on purchasing the puppets and scripts for your school or organization, visit PACER.org/puppets, call PACER at 952-838-9000, or e-mail puppets@PACER.org.

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

Serving on Local Special Education Committees

This CD curriculum provides information for parents who may be new to participating on special education stakeholder or advisory committees. Call PACER at 952-838-9000 or 800-537-2237 and order item ALL-62. More

Special Education: What Do I Need to Know?

This CD curriculum for underserved and underrepresented families provides a basic overview of the special education process. Available in English and Spanish. 28 slides, 2007. Call PACER at 952-838-9000 or 800-537-2237 and order item ALL-58. 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