BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Federation for Children with Special Needs - ECPv6.18.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://fcsn.org/ar X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Federation for Children with Special Needs REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:UTC BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:UTC DTSTART:20250101T000000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261005T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261005T200000 DTSTAMP:20261003T174346Z CREATED:20260921T081216Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261003T174346Z UID:10002885-1791225000-1791230400@fcsn.org SUMMARY:Basic Rights: Referral\, Evaluation and Eligibility DESCRIPTION:Host: MassPAC All-Access Pass\nA comprehensive overview of special education laws and procedures. Covers the special education process\, including referrals\, evaluations\, eligibility\, services\, placement\, and parents’ rights in dispute resolution. \nAll meetings links are sent by Zoom prior to the workshop. Handouts will be sent to attendees on the day of the presentation. URL:https://fcsn.org/ar/event/br-ee-10-5-26/ CATEGORIES:Families,Parent Training & Information Center,MassPac ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fcsn.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Fotolia_7330838_S1-e1762986099292.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261006T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261006T140000 DTSTAMP:20260909T171613Z CREATED:20260909T171613Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260909T171613Z UID:10002873-1791291600-1791295200@fcsn.org SUMMARY:Special Education Surrogate Parent Online Orientation Training Part One 10/6/26 DESCRIPTION:Become a Special Education Decision-Maker for a Child in State Custody\nVolunteers\, known as Special Education Surrogate Parents (SESPs)\, serve as appointed educational special decision-makers for students in the custody of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). SESP volunteers have the legal authority of a parent or legal guardian to attend special education team meetings\, approve or reject IEPs\, and\, if necessary\, file a complaint or appeal. SESPs spend about 30-40 hours a year volunteering their time.\n\nIn this Orientation Training\, you will learn about the role of an SESP\, how traumatic experiences can impact learning\, and how to incorporate the appropriate supports into the IEP.\n\nPlease arrive 5 minutes before the start of the training. The training will start on time and we will not be able to admit attendees after the training begins. If you cannot make it on time\, please email us at rtsc@fcsn.org and sign up for the next Orientation\nFor questions\, contact us at rtsc@fcsn.org or (617) 399-8342. \nSorry. This form is no longer available. URL:https://fcsn.org/ar/event/sesp-orientation-part1-10-6-26/ LOCATION:Online Event CATEGORIES:RTSC,Volunteer ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fcsn.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/RTSC-Landing-Page1000x500.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Federation for Children with Special Needs":MAILTO:info@fcsn.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261006T173000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261006T183000 DTSTAMP:20261002T210017Z CREATED:20261002T205323Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261002T210017Z UID:10002910-1791307800-1791311400@fcsn.org SUMMARY:Connecting Families: Caregiver to Caregiver Respite Network DESCRIPTION:Connecting Families Series \nConectando famílias     Conectando famílias     连接家庭      Konekte Fanmi yo     Kết nối gia đình      가족 연결 \nCaregiver to Caregiver (C2C) Respite NetworkA community of caregiving rooted in shared experience\nPresented by: Valeryia Pedersen\, MS\, Senior Lead of Programs\, FCSN & Ashley Woodman\, PhD\, Director of the Developmental Disabilities and Human Services Program\, UMass Amherst \nThe Caregiver to Caregiver (C2C) Respite Network was developed by a parent of a child with a disability. The network is composed of families of children and youth with disabilities and specialized support needs ages 0-26 who agree to both give and receive respite\, aka a break from caregiving. Caregivers in these families may include parents\, foster parents\, grandparents or older siblings who have custody of a younger brother or sister who apply to join. The program then matches them with another family member to share respite based on the child’s medical and support needs\, where the family lives\, and language and cultural identities and preferences. \nDuring the presentation\, we will discuss the extensive planning process prior to implementation\, the essential components of the respite opportunity based on reciprocity\, and the match process that combines best practices from Parent to Parent USA\, feedback from professional partners\, as well as wishes and concerns expressed by caregivers\, as well as share how we are working to engage diverse families and caregivers. We will also give an overview of the highly anticipated C2C expansion which involves engaging college students who will provide respite to families throughout the state while gaining meaningful practical experience supporting families of children and youth with specialized support needs. \nConnecting Families is our monthly series designed to bring parents\, caregivers\, and professionals together for learning\, support\, and real-time connection. Each session features expert presenters\, practical strategies\, and opportunities to engage with others who share similar experiences. Whether you’re navigating special education\, exploring community resources\, or looking for guidance and encouragement\, we are here to help you feel informed\, supported\, and connected. \nJoin us each month as we learn\, grow\, and strengthen our communities—together. \nThis registration is for all Connecting Families presentations. You do not need to register for each one separately.\n\n\n \n \n The Federation for Children with Special Needs is funded by grants which require us to collect data. Your data is safe and will not be shared or sold.\n\nPlease contact us with any accommodation requests at info@fcsn.org. \n \n Accommodations request Click here to request American Sign Language (ASL) or other accommodations. To ensure availability\, please request an ASL interpreter at least two weeks before the event date.First Name(Required)Last Name(Required)Email(Required)\n \n AddressStateMAALAKAZARCACOCTDEFLGAHIIDILINIAKSKYLAMEMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNJNMNYNCNDOHOKORPARISCSDTNTXUTVTVAWAWVWIWYAS   American Samoa)DC  District of Columbia)FM  Federated States of MicronesiaGU  GuamMH Marshall IslandsMP Northern Mariana IslandsPW PalauPR   Puerto RicoVI   Virgin IslandsCity(Required)AbingtonActonAcushnetAdamsAgawamAlfordAllstonAmesburyAmherstAndoverAquinnahArlingtonAshburnhamAshbyAshfieldAshlandAtholAttleboroAuburnAvonAyerBack BayBaldwinvilleBarnstableBarreBeacon HillBecketBedfordBelchertownBellinghamBelmontBerkleyBerlinBernardstonBeverlyBillericaBlackstoneBlandfordBoltonBondsvilleBostonBourneBoxboroughBoxfordBoylstonBradfordBraintreeBrant RockBrewsterBridgewaterBrightonBrimfieldBrocktonBrookfieldBrooklineBucklandBurlingtonBuzzards BayCambridgeCantonCarlisleCarverCentervilleCharlemontCharlestownCharltonChathamChelmsfordChelseaCheshireChesterChesterfieldChicopeeChilmarkChinatownClarksburgClintonCohassetColrainConcordConwayCotuitCummaquidCummingtonDaltonDanversDartmouthDedhamDeerfieldDennisDennisportDevensDightonDorchesterDouglasDoverDracutDudleyDunstableDuxburyEast BostonEast BridgewaterEast BrookfieldEast LongmeadowEasthamEasthamptonEastonEdgartownEgremontErvingEssexEverettFairhavenFall RiverFalmouthFenwayFitchburgFloridaForestdaleFoxboroughFraminghamFranklinFreetownGardnerGeorgetownGilbertvilleGillGloucesterGoshenGosnoldGraftonGranbyGranvilleGreat BarringtonGreen HarborGreenfieldGrotonGrovelandHadleyHalifaxHamiltonHampdenHancockHanoverHanscom Airforce BaseHansonHardwickHarvardHarwichHatfieldHaverhillHawleyHeathHinghamHinsdaleHolbrookHoldenHollandHollistonHolyokeHopedaleHopkintonHubbardstonHudsonHullHuntingtonHyannisHyannisportHyde ParkIpswichJamaica PlainJeffersonKingstonLakevilleLancasterLanesboroughLawrenceLeeLeicesterLenoxLeominsterLeverettLexingtonLeydenLincolnLittletonLongmeadowLowellLudlowLunenburgLynnLynnfieldMagnoliaMaldenManchester by the SeaMansfieldMarbleheadMarionMarlboroughMarshfieldMartha's VineyardMashpeeMattapanMattapoisettMaynardMedfieldMedfordMedwayMelroseMendonMerrimacMethuenMiddleboroughMiddlefieldMiddletonMilfordMillburyMillisMillvilleMiltonMission HillMonroeMonsonMontagueMontereyMontgomeryMount WashingtonNahantNantucketNatickNeedhamNew AshfordNew BedfordNew BraintreeNew MarlboroughNew SalemNew SeaburyNewburyNewburyportNewtonNorfolkNorth AdamsNorth AndoverNorth AttleboroNorth BrookfieldNorth EndNorth ReadingNorthamptonNorthboroughNorthbridgeNorthfieldNortonNorwellNorwoodOak BluffsOakhamOrangeOrleansOstervilleOtisOtis Air Force BaseOxfordPalmerPaxtonPeabodyPelhamPembrokePepperellPeruPetershamPhillipstonPittsfieldPlainfieldPlainvillePlymouthPlymptonPrincetonProvincetownQuincyRandolphRaynhamReadingReadvilleRehobothRevereRichmondRochesterRocklandRockportRoslindaleRoweRowleyRoxburyRoyalstonRussellRutlandSagamoreSalemSalisburySandisfieldSandwichSaugusSavoyScituateSeekonkSharonSheffieldShelburneSherbornShirleyShrewsburyShutesburySomersetSomervilleSouth BostonSouth ChathamSouth DennisSouth EndSouth HadleySouthamptonSouthboroughSouthbridgeSouthwickSpencerSpringfieldSterlingStockbridgeStonehamStoughtonStowSturbridgeSudburySunderlandSuttonSwampscottSwanseaTauntonTempletonTewksburyThorndikeThree RiversTisburyTollandTopsfieldTownsendTruroTyngsboroughTyringhamUptonUxbridgeVineyard HavenWakefieldWalesWalpoleWalthamWareWarehamWarrenWarwickWashingtonWatertownWaylandWebsterWellesleyWellfleetWendellWenhamWest BoylstonWest BridgewaterWest BrookfieldWest EndWest NewburyWest RoxburyWest SpringfieldWest StockbridgeWest TisburyWest YarmouthWestboroughWestfieldWestfordWesthamptonWestminsterWestonWestportWestwoodWeymouthWhatelyWhitmanWilbrahamWilliamsburgWilliamstownWilmingtonWinchendonWinchesterWindsorWinthropWoburnWoods HoleWorcesterWorthingtonWrenthamYarmouthYarmouthportOther City in MAOther City out of stateUnknownOut of State CityZip/Postal Code(Required)Preferred Phone NumberCell PhoneHome PhoneWork PhoneCell PhoneHome PhoneWork PhoneAre you attending this event as a:(Required)Parent/CaregiverParent/ProfessionalFoster ParentGrandparentProfessional EducatorProfessional OtherStudent (14-22)OtherOrganizationAre you an SESP (Eligible Special Education Decision Maker)?(Required)YesNoWhat is your ethnicity?(Required)Hispanic or LatinoNot Hispanic or LatinoUndisclosedWhat is your race?(Required)Caucasian/WhiteAfrican-American/BlackAmerican Indian/Native American/Alaskan Native (*Specify)AsianNative Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (*Specify)Two or more racesUndisclosedSpecify racePrimary Language(Required)EnglishAmerican Sign LanguageChineseHaitian CreolePortugueseSpanishVietnameseOther LanguageOther Language(Required)Chinese DialectCantoneseMandarinIs your family military-connected?(Required)YesNoWhat is your child's ethnicity?(Required)Hispanic or LatinoNot Hispanic or LatinoUndisclosedN/AWhat is your child's race?(Required)Caucasian/WhiteAfrican-American/BlackAmerican Indian/Native American/Alaskan Native (*Specify)AsianNative Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (*Specify)Two or more racesUndisclosedN/ASpecify child's raceChild's Age:(Required)Birth to 33-56-1112-1314-GraduationBeyond High School Graduation or Aged OutUndisclosedN/AChild's primary disability:(Required)AutismDeafDeaf-BlindnessDevelopmental delayEmotional DisturbanceHearing ImpairmentIntellectual DisabilityMultiple DisabilitiesOrthopedic ImpairmentOther Health Impairment (ADD/ADHD)Specific Learning Disability (Dyslexia)Speech or Language ImpairmentTraumatic Brain InjuryVisual Impairment-BlindnessInappropriately IdentifiedDisability is suspected or not yet identifiedChild/Youth does not have a disabilityUndisclosedN/AChild's secondary disability:AutismDeafDeaf BlindnessDevelopmental delayEmotional DisturbanceHearing ImpairmentIntellectual DisabilityOrthopedic ImpairmentOther Health Impairment (ADD/ADHD)Specific Learning Disability (Dyslexia)Speech or Language ImpairmentVisual Impairment-BlindnessDo you have questions for our presenter?Sign me up for your Weekly Happenings e-Newsletter ( Agency-wide current events & updates)\n \n Yes\n \n Submit \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Δ URL:https://fcsn.org/ar/event/connectingfamilies-26-27-2/ LOCATION:Online Event CATEGORIES:Families,Connecting Families ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fcsn.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Fam-diverse-1000x500-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261007T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261007T130000 DTSTAMP:20260930T200753Z CREATED:20260930T200753Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260930T200753Z UID:10002919-1791374400-1791378000@fcsn.org SUMMARY:Let's Get Organized DESCRIPTION:Guides parents of children with special needs in building organizational skills using their strengths. Participants create a binder space with supplies and ideas to organize medical and educational records\, while also exploring digital record-keeping and emergency preparedness.\nFor more details on the P2P program\, please visit the P2P of MA webpage.\nSorry. This form is no longer available. URL:https://fcsn.org/ar/event/lgo-10-7-26/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261007T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261007T193000 DTSTAMP:20260824T182434Z CREATED:20260818T205156Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260824T182434Z UID:10002845-1791396000-1791401400@fcsn.org SUMMARY:What is Transition-to-Adulthood? DESCRIPTION:Looking for a Roadmap or Timeline? \nThe transition to adulthood is the period between ages 14 and 26 when youth and young adults with disabilities prepare for life after high school. Along the way\, families make important decisions about education\, employment\, adult services\, independent living\, healthcare\, and community participation.Join specialists from four organizations for a practical\, age-by-age guide to transition planning. Creating an interactive timeline\, presenters will highlight the key milestones\, resources\, and action steps for each stage of the journey\, so you’ll know what to do\, when to do it\, and where to find support.  \nDate: Wednesday\, October 7\, 2026Time: 6:00–7:30 PMLocation: Zoom  \nTimeline TopicsAges 14–15: Getting started with transition planningAges 16–17: Building skills and preparing for adulthoodAges 18–21: Navigating adult services\, postsecondary education\, employment\, and decision-makingAges 22–26: Connecting to long-term supports\, employment\, independent living\, and community life  \nFeatured OrganizationsFederation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)CommunitasNortheast ArcNortheast Transition Collaborative Network  \nWhether you’re just beginning the transition process or preparing for the next stage\, this workshop will provide practical guidance\, valuable resources\, and connections to organizations that support youth and young adults throughout the transition-to-adulthood journey.  \nRegistration is free. Reserve your spot today! A Zoom link will be provided after registration.  \nSorry. This form is no longer available. URL:https://fcsn.org/ar/event/what-is-transition-to-adulthood/ CATEGORIES:Youth/Young Adults,Transition,Families,Parent Training & Information Center,MassPac ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://fcsn.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/10.7.26-Transition-to-Adulthood-workshop-image-e1787087259699.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261007T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261007T193000 DTSTAMP:20260921T083203Z CREATED:20260921T083203Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260921T083203Z UID:10002891-1791396000-1791401400@fcsn.org SUMMARY:Bullying: What Parents Need to Know DESCRIPTION:Host: MassPAC All-Access Pass\nAddresses what bullying is\, the school’s legal obligation to prevent and address bullying\, some strategies and tools for dealing with bullying\, and how to address bullying in the IEP. \nAll meetings links are sent by Zoom prior to the workshop. Handouts will be sent to attendees on the day of the presentation. \nSorry. This form is no longer available. URL:https://fcsn.org/ar/event/bullying-10-7-26/ CATEGORIES:Families,Parent Training & Information Center,MassPac END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261008T130000 DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261008T150000 DTSTAMP:20260612T160956Z CREATED:20260115T181043Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260612T160956Z UID:10002370-1791464400-1791471600@fcsn.org SUMMARY:Cumpliendo 3/ Turning 3 Essentials: Spanish DESCRIPTION:Host: Family and Community Engagement Unit\, EI Division\nLos asistentes aprenderán las diferencias entre Intervención Temprana (EI) y la Educación Especial. También recibirán información sobre la reunión de planificación de la transición y los procedimientos de la educación especial\, incluyendo el referido\, la evaluación\, la reunión del equipo\, la determinación de la elegibilidad\, los servicios\, los objetivos\, la asignación del lugar\, las opciones de respuesta y los derechos de procedimientos legales de los padres para la resolución de conflictos.\n\nZoom confirmará tu inscripción por correo electrónico\, incluyendo el enlace a la reunión para que puedas unirte. Nuestro coordinador del taller enviará todos los materiales a los asistentes en un plazo de 24 horas tras la presentación.\n\nLa Federación para Niños con Necesidades Especiales se financia mediante subvenciones que nos obligan a recopilar datos. Tus datos están a salvo y no se compartirán ni se venderán.\nSorry. This form is no longer available. URL:https://fcsn.org/ar/event/turning3essentials-10-8-26-spanish/ CATEGORIES:Early Childhood,Spanish ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://fcsn.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Fotolia_114775733_M-e1762993665120.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR