Family Resources & Training Opportunities
This page is dedicated to resources that families may find useful.
Early Intervention (EI) Services Looks Like, Doesn’t Look Like
Have you ever wondered what your Early Intervention (EI) services should look like? Or what they should not look like? The Early Intervention Parent Leadership Project (EIPLP) is sharing a document that may answer your questions. Check out the Looks Like, Does Not Look Like here!
2024 Training Events for Families
The EIPLP is pleased to offer the following standalone trainings for families. All trainings are free to attend and presented on Zoom. Advance registration is required. Use the links below to request the workshop link. Please email us at eiplp@mass.gov to learn more or with any questions. Register at the links below.
Demystifying Mediation
Sometimes families and early intervention providers aren’t in agreement about EI services, and need help from a third party to come to a solution that works for everyone. The Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA) provides mediation and hearings for families and providers in EI. They want to help make this process feel more accessible and approachable for people that need it.
Join Myrto Flessas from the Bureau of Special Education Appeals to discuss family rights around mediation, and how it can help to resolve those disagreements.
Friday, March 22 at 1pm – https://bit.ly/3uXiCJz
Family Rights in Early Intervention (EI)
Did you know that parents have rights if they have concerns or complaints about their Early Intervention services? If you have a question, concern or a complaint about your child’s EI services, would you know who to call or what your rights and options are? The Division of Early Intervention will present a training for parents about your rights and options including working with your EI team when you have concerns, how to file for a mediation or a due process hearing. The training will provide an overview of the timelines, process and outcomes and is part of a series of workshop to support parents to know their rights. Advance registration is required, and can be done here:
Friday, May 3 at 1pm: https://bit.ly/48LfX3o
Friday, August 9 at 1pm: https://bit.ly/3V24n0E
Friday, November 1 at 1pm: https://bit.ly/4cfMemr
Turning Three Essentials
Every child will eventually transition from EI. It is never too early to start to understand the process. Turning Three Essentials provides information about the procedures for
transitioning a child from early intervention (EI) to special education.
Workshop Topics Include:
• Differences between EI and Special Education
• Transition Planning Process
• Special Education Process
• Consent and Evaluations
• Special Education Eligibility
• The Team Meeting
• Options for Resolving Differences
• Review of Important Timelines and more!
This workshop is being held virtually and is free to attend. Advance registration is required. You can register here:
Friday, February 16 at 1pm – https://bit.ly/T3Feb2024English
Friday, June 17 at 1pm – https://bit.ly/T3June2024English
Friday, September 12 at 1pm – https://bit.ly/T3September2024English
Friday, December 6 at 1pm – https://bit.ly/T3December2024English
Convirtiendo tres elementos esenciales
proporciona información sobre los procedimientos para la transición de un
niño de la intervención temprana (EI) a la educación especial.
Temas del taller:
•Diferencias entre EI y Educación Especial
• Proceso de planificación de la transición
• Proceso de Educación Especial
• Consentimiento y Evaluaciones
• Elegibilidad para la educación especial
• La reunión del equipo
• Opciones para resolver diferencias
• ¡Revisión de la línea de tiempo importante y más!
Este taller se lleva a cabo virtualmente y es de asistencia gratuita. Se requiere inscripción previa. Puedes registrarte aquí:
Viernes 18 de abril a las 13 h. – https://bit.ly/T3April2024Spanish
Viernes 20 de septiembre a las 13 h. – https://bit.ly/T3September2024Spanish
Emergency Preparedness for Families
Accidents, natural disasters, extreme weather… all of these can be scary situations to navigate with a child- especially if your child has a delay or disability or other needs that may make a change in routine complicated. The Emergency Medical Services for Children team is coming to help us be better prepared to handle these situations, if and when they happen.
Friday, August 23 at 1pm – https://bit.ly/3TnW0LO
SSI & Public Benefits
Understanding SSI & other public benefits can feel complicated, but there are resources and supports to help you! Lisa Sheehy of the MA Department of Public Health breaks it down for us and helps us know where to go with questions.
DATE TBD
Finding Your Footing: Using Your Family’s Experience to Impact Systems (Currently UNDER REVIEW for ENHANCEMENTS)
Finding Your Footing is an introductory leadership training series for families getting ready to move on from Early Intervention, or that have recently graduated. The topics covered have proven to be effective in developing important skills for family members interested in taking on leadership roles in their communities and working to improve systems that serve children with special health care needs.
Topics include – Identifying Your Strengths – Effective Communication – Sharing Your Family’s Story – Sharing Online – Team Building – Care Mapping – Conflict Resolution & Negotiations – Racial Equity & Cultural Competence
Be on the lookout for our new schedule coming soon. To learn more, please contact us at eiplp@mass.gov.
Welcome to Massachusetts Act Early
Massachusetts Act Early aims to educate parents and professionals about healthy childhood development, early warning signs of autism and other developmental disorders, the importance of routine developmental screening, and timely early intervention whenever there is a concern. To learn more, visit https://www.maactearly.org/
