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As we prepare to leave high school and become young adults, we experience numerous transitions in life. For students with disabilities, it is crucial to plan ahead for this transition. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates the provision of transition services to prepare students for the transition from school to adulthood. Access information about transitions to adulthood on the MPACT website HERE. | |
Mentor Conference Spotlight | | |
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MPACT's 2023 Annual Mentor Conference was a great success! MPACT Mentors from across the state were recognized for supporting MPACT in carrying out its mission of empowering parents of youth with disabilities to advocate for their child's educational needs. This year's conference has been dedicated to the memory of former mentor Kathy Lutz.
Visit www.missouriparentsact.org to learn how you can become an MPACT Mentor.
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Winners of MPACT's TTI Scavenger Hunt
(Left to Right)
Cheryl Thompson, Maxine Williams, Kelly Zeigenbein, Shade White, Rosie Davis (not pictured)
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U4C Selected to serve as Missouri's Early Care and Education Resource and Referral Network | |
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Office of Childhood has selected United 4 Children to serve as Missouri’s Early Care and Education Resource and Referral Network! The Network coordinates and provides resource and referral services to early care professionals and families in Missouri. You can read more about the services and supports that are provided HERE. | | |
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On May 26, ED's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division (Justice) jointly released the “Resource on Confronting Racial Discrimination in Student Discipline.” The departments recognize and appreciate school administrators, teachers, and educational staff across the nation who work to administer student discipline fairly and provide a safe, positive, and nondiscriminatory educational environment for all students, teachers, and other educators. Additionally, the Department’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), Office of Safe & Supportive Schools Technical Assistance Centers released a series of fact sheets on how school leaders and members of school communities can support students' social, emotional, behavioral, and academic well-being and success. | |
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Disability is when someone has a condition that makes them different in some way, like how they move or think. It's something that can happen to anyone, and it's a big part of who they are. But sometimes, people with disabilities have been treated unfairly and not understood by others for a long time.
That's why we have Disability Pride Month, which happens in July. It's a special time to celebrate and show respect for people with disabilities. We do this because we want to recognize their history, the things they have achieved, and the challenges they face.
July was chosen because it's the month when an important law called the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed. This law helped to make society more inclusive for people with disabilities, but there are still some things that need to be improved.
So during Disability Pride Month, we want to honor all kinds of disabilities, the people who have them, and the different kinds of support they need to do well in life.
What do the colors on the disability flag represent?
- Green is for sensory disabilities.
- Blue represents emotional and psychiatric disabilities.
- White stands for non-visible and undiagnosed disabilities.
- Gold is for neurodiversity.
- Red represents physical disabilities.
If you're wondering how to celebrate Disability Pride Month, click HERE to learn more.
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Look for an MPACT Coordinator or Mentor at these events! *
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Back to School Fairs Near You | |
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Back-to-school fairs in Missouri provide a valuable opportunity for students and families to gather information, access resources, and prepare for the upcoming school year.
It's important to note that specific details and offerings can vary from one back-to-school fair to another in Missouri. To gather accurate and up-to-date information about back-to-school fairs in your local area, you should check with your school district, community organizations, or local government offices for announcements and event details.
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Foster Adopt Connect Back to School Fair
August 5, 2023; 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Located at Independence Center in the old Lens Crafters space next to Jared. We will give backpacks, hygiene items, and more to children in foster care.
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*Urban League Back to School Fair
The Urban League (ULSTL) in conjunction with the St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) hosts the Urban Expo Back to School & Community Empowerment Festival every summer that thousands of residents in the metropolitan area attend at America's Center in Downtown St. Louis. The Expo offers book bags, shoes and school supplies to youth and SLPS officials assist with transportation, enrollment, and other school related questions and concerns. The Festival is a multi-focused community fair comprised of over hundreds of partners. Nonprofit and civic organization provide information about topics such as housing, jobs, public safety and education; as well as social services including health screenings, utility assistance and financial literacy. All attendees are required to visit all of the resource booths before receiving free items.
Back 2 School Bash
Join us on August 12, 2023, from 9 am - 12 pm for FREE School Supplies to celebrate the start of the school year! 852 Booneslick Rd. High Hill, MO 63350
You can pre-register your child for a backpack that will be pre-packed and available for pickup at the pre-registered table on the event day. To be eligible for your backpack of supplies, you will need to complete this form in its entirety. This process only guarantees one bag of supplies for each individual child registered. Pre-register HERE.
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The Back to School Health Fair will be held Saturday, July 22, 2023 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. This year, all backpacks will be pre-packed with various supplies for either elementary or secondary students. Each backpack filled with supplies costs $15.00. We are expecting approximately 900-1,000 students to participate in this event. Click on the link for event details.
Lebanon Back to School Fair
We are SO excited to announce the 2023 Back to School Fair! This year's event will be a full, in person event at the Lebanon Middle School cafeteria. We loved how well the event went last year at this location and are hoping this year will be even better!! It was so amazing to see all the community participation. We love our little town!
We will be offering school supplies, hygiene items, haircuts, and more.
Registration will be at the event. No preregistration required.
For more information call 417-664-2290 or feel free to message.
Benton County Smart Start Fair and Health Fair
The Benton County Smart Start Back to School Fair will be held on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at the John Boise Middle School Cafeteria from 3:00pm to 6:00pm. You do not need to pre-register! If you live in Benton County, you qualify!
Crocker R-II School District Back 2 School Fair
Free school supplies, gifts, coupons, and information from community organizations and local businesses. This event will occur on August 10, 2023, from 6:00-8:00.
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*Springfield Public Schools Back to School Bash
Springfield Public Schools Back to School Bash is an event for students and families to get resources and information to start a successful 2023-2024 school year. This event will offer backpacks, hygiene kits, groceries, immunizations, connections to community resources, and more! SPS is dedicated to providing district families with the support they need. The event is open to all SPS students and families. This event will be held on July 29, 2023 from 9:30 am - 2:00 pm.
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Back to School Sales Tax Holiday
By state law, the sales tax holiday begins on the first Friday in August and continues through the following Sunday. Certain back-to-school purchases, such as clothing, school supplies, computers, and other items as defined by the statute, are exempt from sales tax for this time period only.
The 2023 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 4, and runs through Sunday, August 6.
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Please note that the events listed here are not endorsed by MPACT and may not include all available opportunities. These links are provided solely for informational purposes. | |
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Did you know that every third Sunday in July is National Ice Cream Day? This holiday was established in 1984 by President Reagan to celebrate a beloved treat enjoyed by over 90% of Americans. In fact, Americans consume 23 gallons of ice cream per year, making them the top consumers in the world. President Reagan also declared July as National Ice Cream Month and described it as a nutritious and wholesome food. This holiday has become a worldwide phenomenon and is eagerly celebrated year after year. If you're struggling to decide which flavor to choose or how to celebrate, click HERE for some ideas.
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Disability Employment Awareness Month Poster Contest | |
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All Missouri residents are invited to showcase their artistic talents by submitting original artwork. The winning poster will be featured on the GCD’s 2023 poster
celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).
National Disability Employment Awareness Month is celebrated nationwide each October to celebrate the contributions of workers with disabilities and raise awareness about the value of an inclusive workforce.
Find out how you can participate at disability.mo.gov/gcd/PosterContest
Posters must be submitted by September 15. The contest is open to all Missourians. Poster themes for your artwork should be Inclusion, Employment and/or Community. Questions? Call 573.751.2600
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The 19th Annual Missouri Youth Leadership Forum
(MO-YLF) will be held July 18-22, 2023
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The Missouri Youth Leadership Forum is a unique career leadership-training program for high school students with disabilities, ages 16 – 21. Youth delegates are selected from their local communities to cultivate leadership, citizenship, social, and career development skills at this summer program.
For information and application for the Virtual Leadership Forum, click HERE.
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Upcoming MPACT Webinars
Click on the links below to register
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In Person MPACT Training
Click on the links below to register
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Understanding the Evaluation Process
July 13 @ 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Location: Foster Adopt Connect 1802 West 32nd Street Suites F & G Joplin, MO 64804
Special Education Law
July 15 @ 11:00 - 12:15 PM
Location: Mid-Continent Public Library, 12930 Booth Lane Grandview, MO 64030
Dispute Resolution
July 15 @ 12:15 - 1:30 PM
Location: Mid-Continent Public Library, 12930 Booth Lane Grandview, MO 64030
Section 504
July 27 @ 12:00 - 2:00 PM
Location: 675 East Mount Vernon Boulevard, Mount Vernon, MO 65712
Positive Behavior Interventions
August 17 @ 5:00 - 6:30 PM
Location: Foster Adopt Connect 1802 West 32nd Street Suites F & G Joplin, MO 64804
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View all upcoming MPACT trainings HERE. | |
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All MPACT trainings are free of charge! If you would like to schedule any MPACT training in your area or for your organization
please click on the link HERE.
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We're Looking For You; Apply Now! | |
Make A Difference, Join MPACT Today! | |
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MPACT is funded in part or whole by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs Grant No. H328M090020-10. The contents of the website, however, and any documents cited herein do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S Department of Education.
Copyright © 2023 MPACT. All rights reserved
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