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FW: Parent Information

Dear Friends,

We wish you and yours hope and peace of the holiday season.

We know these are difficult financial times for many of you. If you're able

to make a donation this year, please consider ASCF. Honor your child, a

special person in your child's life, or a friend with a donation. All

donations, whether large or small, are appreciated and put to good use for

improving the lives of our children with special needs and their families.

Thank you from all of us here for helping families build brighter futures

for their children.

Best wishes for a Happy, Healthy New Year from the Board and Staff of ASCF.

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

call 973-728-8744.

SPECIAL TIMES CHILDREN'S PROGRAM

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

Call for details.

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!

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.

Behavioral Support Group: Tues, Dec 30 - 7pm

Bloomingdale Support Group: Thurs, Jan 2 - 7pm

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

Dads Only Support Group: Thurs, Jan 29 - 7pm

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.

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) info@...

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~~

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