Fwd: NCSET E-News: January 2007

[Guest guest]

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National Center on Secondary Education and Transition E-News

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Dear E-News Subscribers,

In the introduction of our last issue, we failed to mention that we have two new publications:

Creating Environments That Work for All Youth: Increasing the Use of Evidence-Based Strategies by Special Education Teachers (Research to Practice Brief)

http://www.ncset.org/publications/viewdesc.asp?id=3396

AND

Transition Services for Students Aged 18-21 with Intellectual Disabilities in College and Community Settings: Models and Implications of Success (Information Brief)

http://www.ncset.org/publications/viewdesc.asp?id=3395

Happy New Year and happy reading!

NCSET Staff

http://www.ncset.org/

Note: You can find this and previous issues of E-News online at

http://www.ncset.org/enews/current.asp

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E-News: January 2007

~ Announcements: New projects, legislative alerts, calls to participate

~ The Resource Zone: New NCSET and other national publications and products

~ What's Happening: Upcoming NCSET and other national events

~ Get Wired!: Featured Web sites and e-mail lists

~ Funding Forecast: Grant opportunities and funding resources

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“Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee and just as hard to sleep after.”

–Anne Morrow Lindbergh

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

The latest news and information from around the country.

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Legislative Alerts

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U.N. General Assembly Adopts the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

On December 13, 2006, the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (http://www.un.org/disabilities/convention/). Once the Convention is adopted, signed and ratified by national governments, it will have an impact on national laws that will transform how people with disabilities can live their lives and offer a way forward to ensure that those with disabilities enjoy the same human rights as everyone else—in education, employment, access to buildings and other facilities, and access to justice.

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2006/sgsm10797.doc.htm

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Calls to Participate

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Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities: Create or Join a Next Chapter Book Club

The Next Chapter Book Club (NCBC) provides adolescents and adults with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to read and learn to read, talk about books, and make friends in a fun community setting. NCBCs meet weekly in local bookstores and cafés across the country to read and discuss books of their choosing. NCBC members range from those who read well to those who do not read at all. On this Web site, you can sign up to be a member, facilitator, host site, or sponsor organization of an NCBC.

http://www.nextchapterbookclub.org/

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Children and Youth with Learning Disabilities: Enter the “30 Voices of LD” Competition

The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) is seeking works of art, photography, poetry, videos, essays, short stories, websites, blogs, etc. that express what life is like for individuals with learning disabilities. From the works submitted, NCLD will select 30 entries to showcase on its Web site and at its benefit dinner in April. In addition, NCLD is offering a grand prize of $500 for outstanding works from each of the following age groups: children (ages 4-13), teens (ages 14-17), and adults (ages 18+).

http://www.ncld.org/content/view/1104/874

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Submit a Paper Proposal: Show Me the Future–It’s Bigger Than You Think! The 18th Annual National APSE Conference

APSE is seeking paper proposals for its 2007 annual conference, to be held July 16-18, 2007 in Kansas City, MO. Session topics will include supported employment implementation, customized employment, program management, wealth and asset accumulation, school-to-career transition, family and consumer issues, challenging the system barriers to supported employment, and public policy. Submission deadline: January 15, 2007.

http://www.apse.org/proposal2007.html

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THE RESOURCE ZONE

A great place to learn about new and existing resources at low or no cost.

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2005 Census Data Regarding People With Disabilities (December 2006)

(Information Bulletin)

This Information Bulletin from Steve Gold, a disability rights attorney, provides a summary of the 2005 American Community Survey data regarding people with disabilities, including disability prevalence, employment of persons with disabilities, and socioeconomic status of persons with disabilities.

http://www.stevegoldada.com/stevegoldada/archive.php?mode=N & id=186

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Academic and Workforce Development Programs for Court-Involved Youth: A Youth Development Approach (November 2006)

(Forum Brief)

This Web page summarizes an American Youth Policy Forum forum held November 20, 2006. The forum highlighted two programs directed at diverting juvenile offenders from the correctional system to alternative educational programs with a strong focus on youth development. The goals of both programs are to discourage recidivism among the youth offenders and provide academic and technical skills needed for youth to enter the workforce.

http://www.aypf.org/forumbriefs/2006/fb112006.htm

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Addressing America’s Dropout Challenge: State Efforts to Boost Graduation Rates Require Federal Support (November 2006)

(Report)

This report from The Center for American Progress and Jobs for the Future shows that although high school graduation rates are far lower than previously understood, federal action could significantly close the graduation gap. These two organizations recommend that Congress pass the proposed Graduation Promise Act of 2007, which would establish a federal commitment to partner with states, districts, and schools to raise graduation rates. It would seed and scale up effective strategies and school designs for student retention and achievement, and would put these proven strategies to use immediately in the nation’s worst-performing high schools.

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2006/11/graduation.html

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Adolescence and the Transition to Adulthood: Rethinking the Safety Net for Vulnerable Young Adults (October 2006)

(Event Materials)

This Web page provides links to PowerPoints and audio files from this conference of the Chapin Hall Center for Children, held October 18-19, 2006, which brought together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to offer a comprehensive picture of early adulthood for youth without family support or for those whose physical, mental, or behavioral problems create special barriers to independence. Panel topics included Youth with Health and Mental Health Needs, Youth Involved in the Criminal Justice System, Youth in the Child Welfare System, Youth with Disabilities, and Immigrant Youth.

http://www.about.chapinhall.org/conferences/Oct2006ATA/presentations.html

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Charter High Schools: Closing the Achievement Gap (December 2006)

(Publication)

This guide from the U.S. Department of Education profiles eight charter secondary schools that are making headway in meeting the achievement challenge. It describes common themes among these schools: they are mission-driven, focus on college preparation, teach for mastery, provide wraparound student support, value professional learning, and hold themselves accountable.

http://www.ed.gov/admins/comm/choice/charterhs/

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Family-to-Family Fact Sheets in Spanish (December 2006)

(Fact Sheets)

The Parent to Parent of New York State–Family to Family Healthcare Information and Education Center has developed fact sheets in Spanish to assist the parents they serve. Fact Sheet titles include HCBS Waiver Programs, Medical Appointments, Medical Information on the Internet, Prescription Medications, Record Keeping, and Relieving Stress. A 34-page Care Notebook in which families can keep a complete record of a child’s medical history is also available in Spanish.

http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/1758

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Indicator 13 Checklist: FAQs and Responses (November 2006)

(Checklist)

This document from the National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center provides OSEP-approved answers to some frequently asked questions regarding its Indicator 13 Checklist (http://www.nsttac.org/?FileName=indicator13_checklist & type=1). Available in PDF (9 pages, 43 KB).

http://www.nsttac.org/pdf/i13checklistqa.pdf

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National Survey on Service-Learning and Transitioning to Adulthood Final Report (November 2006)

(Report)

The final report for the National Youth Leadership Council’s “National Survey on Service-Learning and Transitioning to Adulthood” is now available. This nationally representative survey of over 3,000 young adults, which was conducted on behalf of NYLC by Interactive, reveals service-learning’s significant impact on the youth-adult transition.

http://www.nylc.org/happening_newsarticle.cfm?oid=5453 & null=1167415394010

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The Impact of Afterschool Programs on Personal and Social Skills: Recent Findings of a Scientific Review (November 2006)

(Forum Brief)

This Web page summarizes an American Youth Policy Forum forum held November 9, 2006. which discussed the significance for policymakers and practitioners of a new, nationwide review of evaluations of afterschool programs. The review concluded that programs using evidence-based skill training not only improved youth’s school performance, but also their personal and social skills, it also found that afterschool programs that tried to build personal and social skills without using those approaches failed to do so.

http://www.aypf.org/forumbriefs/fb110906.htm

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Tough Choices or Tough Times: The Report of the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce (2007)

(Executive Summary)

On December 14, 2006, the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce unveiled recommendations calling for the biggest changes in the American education system in a century. According to the Commission, without such changes, the American standard of living will be seriously jeopardized. This is the executive summary of the Commission’s recommendations; to order a copy of the actual report, visit http://skillscommission.org/request_copy.htm. Available in PDF (28 pages, 1.8 MB).

http://skillscommission.org/pdf/exec_sum/ToughChoices_EXECSUM.pdf

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WHAT’S HAPPENING?

Connecting and learning through great new training opportunities!

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January 23, 2007

Response to Intervention (RtI) and the Connections to Neurodevelopment

10:30 a.m.-12:00 noon (Pacific)

(Web-based Event)

This interactive presentation from WestEd’s SchoolsMovingUp Initiative will showcase the connections between response to intervention (RtI) and neurodevelopment by highlighting several programs and their potential impact on student learning. Each program discussed will be viewed through a neurodevelopmental lens. The event will also highlight how RtI is being used in several states and how each of the highlighted programs complement a neurodevelopmental understanding of learning variation among struggling learners. Participation is free, but registration is required.

http://www.schoolsmovingup.net/cs/wested/view/e/1337

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January 24-26, 2007

Parent Center Leaders United: Common Experience, Uncommon Commitment

Washington, DC

(Conference)

The national conference will provide an overview of topics that affect parents and professionals. Participants will network, learn leading strategies, and gain ideas from experts from across the country. Sessions will be offered on Leadership and Management, Outcomes for Children, Technology, and more. Sponsored by the Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers.

http://www.taalliance.org/conference/2007/

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January 27-28, 2007

National Organization for Law Students with Disabilities Planning Conference

Washington, DC

(Conference)

Law students are invited to attend this conference, where they will help create a new national organization for law students with disabilities. Conference participants will identify the needs of a diverse student population, define organizational goals, draft a mission statement, create a structure and draft bylaws, and elect officers. Conference attendance is free and travel stipends are available. Co-sponsored by the American Bar Association’s Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities, the Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law, and the Law Student Division. Flier available in Word (1 page, 33 KB).

http://www.abanet.org/irr/studentconference.doc

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February 26-28, 2007

Mobilizing New Mentors . . . Through Faith- and Community-Based Collaborations

Los Angeles, CA

(Training)

This training will assist and challenge mentoring programs in exploring avenues for finding and recruiting new mentors, particularly through faith- and community-based collaborations. It is hosted by MentorYouth.com, a division of National Network of Youth Ministries; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice; and The Corporation for National and Community Service. MentorYouth.com seeks to enlist, encourage, equip, and empower adults in the church and community to become mentors to youth.

http://www.mentoryouth.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/trainingla.home

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March 4-6, 2007

Disability Policy Seminar

Washington, DC

(Seminar)

The 2007 Disability Policy Seminar will bring together state and local executives and affiliates, self-advocates, families, providers, and others for two days of in-depth policy discussions focused on issues affecting people with disabilities and their families. On the final day, participants will visit Capitol Hill to deliver a unified message that the federal government cannot continue dismantling the benefits and services important to the disability community. Co-hosted by The Arc of the U.S., United Cerebral Palsy, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the Association of University Centers on Disability, and the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities.

http://www.aamr.org/Events/gas.html

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March 5-7, 2007

Access to Community Living: Promoting Independence and Choice: The 2007 New Freedom Initiative Conference

Baltimore, MD

(Conference)

“Choice and Independence” is a key ingredient of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) vision for a person-centered long-term services and supports system for the future. This conference will focus on the policies, programs, and tools—including opportunities authorized by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2007—available to shape and carry out that vision. Presentations will present CMS’s Roadmap for Reform and provide perspectives from consumers and advocates. Sessions will address components of programs that promote independence and choice. Participants will have opportunities to meet with CMS officials to discuss the roadmap and available options and offer recommendations for reform.

http://tinyurl.com/yxd9rz

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GET WIRED!

Get in the fast lane and get wired to innovative Web sites and specialized e-mailing lists. Something for everyone!

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Web Sites

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Genetics Home Reference: Your Guide to Understanding Genetic Conditions

This Web site from the National Institutes of Health includes extensive information on genetic conditions, genes, and chromosomes, as well as tools including a handbook, glossary, and information on how to find a genetics professional in your area.

http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/

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National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)

This Web site from the National Institutes of Health includes information on health and human development topics and clinical trials, information on NICHD research, and information on funding from NICHD for research and training.

http://www.nichd.nih.gov/

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Listservs

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E-mail Updates from the National Youth Leadership Council

The National Youth Leadership Council offers three e-mail update lists: NYLC News Flash (updates from NYLC), The National Service-Learning Conference Bulletin (updates on the annual conference), and The NYLC Leader, NYLC's quarterly newsletter, which includes new from NYLC and developments in the field of service-learning.

http://www.nylc.org/email_signup.cfm

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Forum For Youth Investment: Forum Flash, Youth Policy Action Center Alerts, CFK Weekly

You can now subscribe to three e-mail newsletters from the Forum for Youth Investment in one place. Forum Flash (http://forumfyi.org/_portalcat2.cfm?LID=51571667-7830-4001-BE63D56B630C66B2) provides updates on the work of the Forum for Youth Investment. Youth Policy Action Center Alerts (http://tinyurl.com/y3uoj7) provides opportunities to take action from organizations in the child and youth field. CFK Weekly (http://www.connectforkids.org/newsletters/cfk_weekly) provides updates from organizations in the child and youth field.

http://visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1101389959199

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FUNDING FORECAST

Federal grants, award opportunities, foundation funding, and more. Take a look at these great new opportunities for accessing support to make a difference!

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Federal Grant Opportunities

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Forecast of Funding Opportunities under the Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs for Fiscal Year 2007

This document lists virtually all programs and competitions under which the U.S. Department of Education has invited or expects to invite applications for new awards for fiscal year 2006 and provides actual or estimated deadlines for the transmittal of applications under these programs. The lists are in the form of charts organized according to the Department’s principal program offices and include programs and competitions previously announced as well as those to be announced at a later date.

http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/find/edlite-forecast.html

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FY 2006-2007 Discretionary Grant Application Packages

This site, from the Department of Education, provides information on grant competitions that are currently open.

http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/

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Scholarships and Awards

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National School and Business Partnerships Award

The National School and Business Partnerships Award recognizes exemplary partnerships between K-12 public schools and/or school districts and businesses across the country. Award winners award receive national recognition and the schools/districts receive $10,000 to support partnership efforts. Sponsored by the Council for Corporate & School Partnerships. Application deadline: January 30, 2007.

http://www.corpschoolpartners.org/award.shtml

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Impact Award

The Disability Funders Network’s Impact Award honors grantmakers who have a positive impact on the disability community and whose work encourages the foundation community to be more inclusive of disability. The Network presents the award to a funder who has awarded grants that have significantly enhanced and/or supported programs that break down physical and attitudinal barriers that keep people with disabilities from full participation in their communities and whose work encourages the foundation community to promote inclusion, integration, and equal rights for this population. Nomination deadline: January 12, 2007 (extended).

http://www.disabilityfunders.org/diazawd.html

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END OF EDITION

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Excerpting E-News

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Contributing to E-News

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We would enjoy knowing more about what is happening around the country so we can share this information through E-News. If you have information on new products, resources, funding opportunities, and conferences or training events and want to contribute to the next E-News edition, just reply to this message with your information. We cannot promise to include every item but will do our best to include relevant information that is submitted.

Purpose of the Listserv

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E-News features resources, activities, products, and funding information from around the country. E-News is dedicated to assisting youth, parents, educators, service providers, and administrators to stay connected and informed about secondary education and transition issues.

To Subscribe or Unsubscribe

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To unsubscribe (or remove yourself) from this list, please go to http://www.ncset.org/enews/unsubscribe.asp. If you'd like to share this listserv with a friend or colleague, point them to our Web page at http://www.ncset.org/enews/ to join E-News.

Consider Subscribing to REFERENCE POINTS

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"Reference Points: Transition Updates from the TATRA Project" features resources and updates to help parent organizations, advocates and professionals better serve adolescents and young adults with disabilities and their families. Reference Points is administered by PACER Center (http://www.pacer.org) as a joint technical assistance activity of the TATRA Project and the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition. To subscribe, go to: http://www.pacer.org/tatra/list/signup.asp

For Further Information

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National Center on Secondary Education and Transition

Institute on Community Integration (UCEDD)

University of Minnesota

6 Pattee Hall

150 Pillsbury Drive SE

Minneapolis, MN 55455

Phone:

Fax:

E-mail: ncset@...

Web: http://www.ncset.org/

List Management

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E-News is administered by the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition http://www.ncset.org/. The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition is funded by and is a partner with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, and cooperative agreement #H326J000005.

Disclaimer

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The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition disseminates E-News to enhance public access to information about secondary education and transition activities. Our intention is to provide resources that are current and accurate. Although every attempt is made to ensure the accuracy of this information, we can make no guarantees. We will, of course, make every effort to correct errors brought to our attention.

E-News is supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, and (ative Agreement No. H326J000005). However, the opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of the U. S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, or any of the six partners of the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (available at (http://www.ncset.org/about/partners.html), and no official endorsement should be inferred.

Note: There are no copyright restrictions on this document. However, please credit the source and support of federal funds when copying all or part of it.