August 24, 2023

Featured Resource

Preparing for the Future...Understanding Guardianship and Alternatives.

During the course a person’s life there are many transitions that occur. During those times, decisions will be made that require thoughtful consideration and deliberation. South Dakota Parent Connection and Disability Rights South Dakota support a life-long journey of self-determination and shared decision-making for individuals with disabilities.

Throughout the lifespan, parents and professionals who work with young adults with disabilities are encouraged to start a process of teaching self-determination from a young age with the goal that, as the young adult reaches maturity, they can make choices to the fullest extent possible as would be typical for others within their peer group. South Dakota Parent Connection and Disability Rights South Dakota are frequently contacted by families who have begun addressing transition requirements with the team at their child’s school through their child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP). It is at this time that school districts typically provide information to families about transfer of rights, guardianship, and other alternatives.

Guardianship/conservatorship is a complex process that is important for individuals with disabilities and their families to understand. It is a legal process used to protect individuals who are unable to care for themselves in certain aspects of their lives. Because discussions about guardianship/conservatorship touch individual lives in many areas, South Dakota Parent Connection and Disability Rights South Dakota have summarized helpful information and resources for individuals and their families. This guide has been created to address the questions and concerns parents, students, or teachers may have as they begin discussions about decision-making that may include guardianship, conservatorship, or other options. Get your copy here.

Here are a few more resources:

Navigating College with ADHD | Preparing for Success!

Tips for a Successful Back-to-School Transition

13 Survival Tips from College Graduates with ADHD

End of Summer Sibshop

This FREE program is designed specifically for brothers and sisters aged 8-12 of children with special needs. Come and enjoy games, informational activities, food and fun at the park!

Lunch will be provided, make sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

Saturday, September 16, 2023

10:30AM - 1:30PM

Sertoma Park

4300 S Oxbow Ave, Sioux Falls

Registration is required by September 11.

To learn more about this and other events, go to our website.

Tips to Request an Evaluation

As a parent, you may have concerns about your child’s behavior, school performance or your child’s difficulty paying attention to and completing tasks. Your child’s teacher may also have concerns. How will you know if your child has a disability? By law, schools must provide special educational services to children with disabilities. You or your child’s teacher may request an evaluation to determine if your child meets the criteria and is eligible for these services in special education. If you want to request an evaluation for special education, we recommend:

Ø Put this request in writing. Write your concerns, as well as what you and the school have done to help

your child. Keep a copy of your records. Call the school to find out who to send your request to.

Sample letter of request for an evaluation along with a list of your concerns: (see pp 8 and 9)

Dare to Dialogue

Ø The school will respond to your request via a Prior Parental Written Notice. The school can accept or deny your request, and the reasons for their decision will be included in this notice. If you haven’t heard anything

after about 5 days, follow up with the school by sending an email to check on the status of your request.

Ø If the request is accepted, you will sign a Consent for Evaluation form. If you agree to the plan for evaluation

and sign permission, the evaluation process begins.

Ø If the request for an evaluation is denied, ask for a meeting to discuss your concerns with the school. If they still refuse to evaluate and you disagree with this decision, ask for information on your legal rights.

You may want to contact South Dakota Parent Connection for assistance and guidance.

For more information on how to request an evaluation, and how the evaluation process works: Click here

More Resources:

Evaluating School-Aged Children for Disability

Your Child's Evaluations

Hand Picked

The South Dakota Parent Connection staff have selected these resources to help answer some of the more common questions we receive.

Bullying and Youth with Disabilities - What to do? Check out this article and tip sheet.

Back to School Supplies Every Student with ADHD Needs - Back-to-school supplies for students with ADHD — such as erasable pens, highlighter tape, wiggle seat cushions, and more — improve focus, organization, and classroom engagement.

Families Wanted

The SD Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) grant is 5-year federal grant from HRSA held for South Dakota by the Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment (CPCM) at the USD School of Health Sciences.

South Dakota is one of 20 current ECCS Awardees. They are inviting WIC-eligible families in the Sioux Falls area to provide input about South Dakota WIC by completing this survey.

Upcoming Opportunities

Here are some educational opportunities offered by South Dakota Parent Connection and by other organizations that can help support South Dakota families. A complete list of events can be found on our website at ww.sdparent.org or Facebook page.

August 30, 2023 - Early Literacy for Providers and Families - training will be from 7:00-9:00pm CT and 6:00-8:00pm MT. Participants will learn strategies to support young children’s language and literacy skills to increase their school readiness in home and childcare environments. A $100 stipend is available for all providers and family members from South Dakota who complete the class, and providers who attend with a family member of a child they support will receive an additional $25.

September 6 -7, 2023 - South Dakota Conference on Developmental Disabilities: The theme of this year's conference is Leading Change Together and will focus on developing partnerships to improve the well-being of individuals with developmental disabilities in South Dakota. This is a joint effort across multiple agencies throughout South Dakota.

September 9, 2023 - Center for Disabilities Run, Walk, & Roll Event - 5k & 10K Timed Races. September 9th - Elmwood Park

September 22-23, 2023 - Parent Leadership Training for Educational Advocacy: PACER’s Minnesota Statewide Family Engagement Center (MNSFEC) is recruiting parents and caregivers for our annual Parent Leadership Training for Educational Advocacy. This two-day training is for people who have one or more children in regular education and want to learn leadership and educational advocacy skills. NOTE: special education issues will not be the focus of this training. Application deadline is September 1.

October 23-25, 2023 - 2023 Disability Services & Supports Fall Conference: Brought to you by SDRehabACTion. Learn more about the presenters and how to register on their website.

November 6 - 8, 2023 - ARC's National Convention: an opportunity to connect and learn with advocates, professionals, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families. If you are interested in employment, education, advocacy, housing, criminal justice, and more – our sessions are sure to challenge, inspire, and motivate!

This e-publication was developed under grants from the U.S. Department of Education Project Grant H328M2000666 and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Grant H328M140021, Family to Family Health Information Center, $93,175; and approximately 5% financed with non-governmental resources. The contents should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by US Department of Education, HRSA, HHS or the Federal Government.