ascf info

[Guest guest]

For all Association for Special Children and Families (ASCF) activities,

call 973-728-8744.

SAVE THE DATE!!

ASCF's Annual Holiday Christmas Party

Magic Show by Joe Fischer, Music, Pizza, (and a special guest)

Join us for an evening of fun, fellowship and friends.

Friday, December 19th at 6:30pm ~ Hillcrest Gymnasium

Call for details and to sign up!!

SPECIAL TIMES CHILDREN'S PROGRAM

It's coming up on ASCF Basketball Season - sessions begin in early 2009!

Call for details.

It's not too late! Friday, December 12 - 7pm - 1 Viking Village, Vernon, NJ

" A SPECIAL HOLIDAY PLAY - ANNIE'S CHRISTMAS "

A true family event. Free of charge for ASCF families.

A small, intimate setting. Refreshments/Coffee.

Call for information.

HELPS (Helping Early Learning and Play Skills)

A program for toddlers (18mos - 3-year olds) who are involved in Early

Intervention or toddlers with minor delays. Offered on Tuesday or Friday

mornings. Call for more information.

Tues: 9:30 - 10:30 or 11:00 - 12:00 ~ Fri: 9:30 - 10:30 or 10:45-11:45

Parents! Caregivers! Professionals! Important Workshop on Tuesday,

December 9

Parent stipends available (call for more info) ~ Professional development

credits offered.

Tuesday, January 13, 7pm - 9pm

TOPIC: Section 504

Focuses on the right to services and accommodations for students with

special needs.

Please call to Register!

Monthly Support Groups

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at 1810 Macopin Road, West

Milford, NJ

ALL ARE WELCOME ~ PLEASE CALL AHEAD and let us know you are coming.

Dads Only Support Group: Thurs, Dec 18 - 7pm

Behavioral Support Group: Tues, Dec 30 - 7pm

Bloomingdale Support Group: Thurs, Jan 2 - 7pm

General Support Group: Wed, January 21 - 7:30pm

Please support the efforts of ASCF by becoming a New Member or

by Renewing your Membership. Our Annual Membership Drive is underway! Annual

fee is $35.

To grow and improve our programs, we need your input,

please fill out our Annual Needs Assessment.

Both forms are available in the Fall 08 Special Connections Newsletter

as well as on our website www.ASCFamily.org.

OTHER INTERESTS:

VERY IMPORTANT ACTION ALERT!!

NJ DOE REGULATIONS ISSUED WITHOUT PUBLIC COMMENT

Executive County Superintendent Responsibilities

In the past week, we have heard from constituents and other stakeholders

about the emergency proposed regulations through the New Jersey Dept of

Education on the responsibility of Executive County Superintendents. The

New Jersey Department of Education has released a final draft of proposed

fiscal accountability regulations (NJAC 6A:23A). These rules describe the

role of the new Executive County Superintendent, giving that office

responsibilities that could prevent children with disabilities from

receiving appropriate services. As written, the role of Executive County

Superintendent undermines the IEP Team decision-making process which is

provided by Federal law, and could shift students with disabilities out of

programs that are meeting their needs.

The state plans to adopt the proposed regulations on an " emergency basis "

without the standard protocol including essential public comment.

A number of disability groups are asking DOE for a public hearing and an

opportunity for public comment. Please compose a letter to the Governor, the

legislature and the Commissioner of Education requesting the critical need

for a public hearing and comments.

Go to asah.org/advocacy for a sample letter.

Christ Church Budd Lake to celebrate All God's Children Christmas Worship

Service - December 21 9am

A non-denominational Christian service designed to appeal to children of

all ages, a particular welcome for children with Autism, PDD-NOS, ADHD, ADD,

Downs or any other developmental or physical challenge.

Location: corner of town and Sandshore Road by Budd Lake in Mount

Olive. 973-347-1866

VSA arts of New Jersey 2009 Application Deadline is JANUARY 7, 2009

Student and Educator Award Applications: Submit completed applications and

support materials to:

VSA arts of NJ, 703 Jersey Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

732-745-3885, 745-5935, 745-3913(TTY) infor@...

LDA ANNUAL CONFERENCE - MARCH 6, 2009

" EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION: Children First "

For more information, download the attached MS Word document.

Come visit us on the web! www.ASCFamily.org