Visions of Community Conference
March 10, 2012
Seaport World Trade Center - Boston

Keynote Speakers: Dan Habib - Director/producer of the Emmy-nominated documentary, Including Samuel. Mary Watson Avery, M.S - Coordinator of professional development and training activities at Connected Beginnings Training Institute, Wheelock College. More Info...

2012 Community Partnership Award Nominations: Each year at the conference the Federation presents Community Partnership Awards to individuals in Massachusetts who have successfully promoted an inclusive environment in their community. Nominate someone you know who has made a difference for a Community Partnership Award!

- The Federation is pleased to welcome Patti Hackett-Hunter, M.Ed., as the new Project Director for Mass Family Voices. Patti is known to many in Massachusetts and around the nation. She has been an active family advocate for many years. Please join us in welcoming her into the Federation family!

- FREE Leadership Training for SEPACs and Administrators of Special Education
The Federation for Children with Special Needs, with support from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Mass Focus Academy, CFDA # 84.323A), is offering a 3-day training program for up to 6 school district teams. District teams should consist of a minimum of three parents and a district special education administrator or designee. The teams will learn and apply collaborative leadership skills and develop team action plans for increasing parent involvement in the district. This program will be held on May 16-18, 2012 at the new offices of the Federation located at The Schrafft Center in Charlestown, MA. This Institute is offered FREE OF CHARGE. Facilitator, materials, and on-site meals will be provided. For more information and a packet of application materials, contact Marilyn Gutierrez (marilyng@fcsn.org) or call the Federation at 617-236-7210 x 351. Please visit our website at www.fcsn.org/appleleaders for more information and to download an application. .

-The National Parent Technical Assistance Center (NPTAC) and Regional Parent Technical Assistance Centers (RPTACs) are delighted to share with you our new collaborative portal website that was launched in August at the OSEP Leadership Mega Conference: www.parentcenternetwork.org . The idea for the portal was conceptualized by OSEP's Research to Practice division leadership and parent program project officers.

-New Advisory from MA DESE on Bullying and Students with Disabilities.

-MilitaryK12Partners offers resources, like Special Education Modules, to assist schools that serve military families. Students at the Center, an educational resource that provides information on important policies, procedures and best practices is also located on the site, as well as links to many resources developed by other government and non-government agencies. STOMP (Specialized Training of Military Parents), is the OSEP-funded Parent Training Information project for military families across the country.

-Looking for inclusive Out-of-School Time programs in Boston? BOSTnet recently held its 6th annual All Means All Conference at which the Federation's Executive Director, Dr. Rich Robison was a keynote speaker. BOSTnet also disseminates a Guide to Boston's Before and After School Programs. Watch this related video, After School for All, on the Federation's Youtube channel.

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