Welcome Families!
Meeting Monday, May 18, 2020
Somerville SEPAC Meeting: The Somerville Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) invites you to their first remote SEPAC meeting on Monday, May 18, 8:00-8:45pm. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with other parents of students with special needs in Somerville, and meet your new SEPAC officers. A presentation by Massachusetts Advocates for Children, Special Education during the Coronavirus Era, and Q&A will follow. Please register HERE. You will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join.
2019-2020 Schedule
September 16th, 2019 - Somerville Library, Conference Room, 79 Highland Ave, Somerville
6:00-8:00pm: Opening Business Meeting
October 22nd, 2019 - The Neighborhood Restaurant, 25 Bow Street, Somerville
November 18th, 2019 - Cafe, West Somerville, 177 Powder House Blvd, Somerville, MA 02144
6:00-8:00pm: Presentation on the 14 year Transition Training, presented by Mass Advocates for Children
This workshop will address the transition planning and services required for youth with disabilities ages 14-22. The training will focus on both the transition special education services which prepare youth for employment, independent living and further education and discuss mechanisms to plan for services students may require when they exit special education as well as transition to the adult human service system. Through the use of case examples, parents and professionals will learn strategies that may help students receive important transition services mandated by special education laws. Parents and professionals will also gain an understanding on Chapter 688, the federal law that helps plan for youth with disabilities after they leave school.
December 12, 2019 - Cafe, West Somerville, 177 Powder House Blvd, Somerville, MA 02144
6:00-8:00pm: Business meeting and officer nominations for SSEPAC election
January 7, 2020 - VNA, 3rd floor Community Room, 259 Lowell Street, Somerville
6:00-8:00pm: Business meeting and officer elections
February 24th, 2020 - Cafe, West Somerville, 177 Powder House Blvd, Somerville, MA 02144
6:00-8:00pm: Autism Professional, presented by Mass Advocates for Children
This workshop provides an overview of specific legal requirements pertaining to the unique learning needs of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). With an emphasis on the requirement that children with ASD receive educational opportunities which reflect competency and potential, this workshop will address current trends, legal standards, evaluation rights and procedures, writing evaluation reports, discussion of court cases, and special education service options for children with ASD.
Cancelled: March 12, 2020 - Cafe, West Somerville, 177 Powder House Blvd, Somerville, MA 02144
6:30-8:00pm: Basic Rights: Understanding the IEP, presented by the Federation for Children with Special Needs
April Date TBD - Location TBD
6:00-8:00pm:
May Date TBD - Location TBD
6:00-8:00pm:
June Date TBD - Location TBD
6:00-8:00pm:
"Every child is gifted. They just unwrap their packages at different times."
Somerville SSEPAC 2017-2019 Officers
2017-2019
Rosey McDonough - Co-Chairperson
Kim Rego - Co-Chairperson
Brenda Williams- Secretary
Brochures and Documents
2016 - 2017 SSEPAC Brochure in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole.
SSEPAC By-Laws [last updated 10/2019]
2019 Notice of SSEPAC Special Election
Information for Families
Disability Definitions
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Disability Definitions
Inclusion
All children belong and all children learn in different ways! Learn more about making inclusion a reality at PBS Parents at http://www.pbs.org/parents/inclusivecommunities/inclusive_education5.html
Useful Websites for Families
Federation for Children with Special Needs http://www.fcsn.org
Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/
Mass Advocates for Children http://massadvocates.org/
Massachusetts Special Education Law http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/
Federal Law http://idea.ed.gov
Wright's Law www.wrightslaw.com
