Parent Networking Opportunities

Central Iowa ASPIRE
(Autism Spectrum Parent Information Resources & Education) Support group for family members of children and young adults with Autism Spectrum disorder. Meets from 6:30-8:30 PM the first Tuesday of each month at Old Chicago, 1610 S. Kellogg Ave, Ames. Contact Jamie Gurganus or Jane Run.

The Morning Club
Pella, Knoxville, Melcher-Dallas, Twin Cedars Districts - Parents of children with special needs.  Meetings are held the last Thursday of each month, September thru April. (No meetings in Nov and Dec) from 10-11AM at the Pella Community Center, Room 200. For more information contact Terry Mendell

Conversation and Coffee
Johnston, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Saydel & Urbandale - Support and networking with other parents who have kids on an IFSP or IEP.  Meetings are held the 3rd Thursday of each month (Sept-May) from 9:30-11:00 at The Corner Cafe, 2731 100th St in Urbandale.  Located in Deerfield Crossing strip mall, just north of Hickman between Hickman & Douglas.  Food items available for purchase. RSVP appreciated but not necessary. For more information contact Kari Paulsen at 515-270-9030.

If you have an interest in transition planning for your student who is 14yrs or older, please let us know, as we are forming a Transition Parent Group in the Johnston, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Saydel & Urbandale area and would like your input.  Please email Mary Watkins mwatkins@aea11.k12.us or call 270-9030.

SMART (Supportive Moms and Dads Accessing Resources Together)
Ankeny support group for family members of children and young adults with special needs. Meetings are the 1st Thursday of each month during the school year from 7-8:30 PM at Old Chicago in Ankeny. For more information contact Kari Paulsen.

PEC Workshops

All workshops are free but registration is required to have adequate handouts. Workshops may be canceled if registration requirements are not met.

ABCs of the IEP
Does the IEP process make you feel intimidated and unsure of what your role is? Do you feel you have more to contribute but aren’t sure about how to do it or how it will be received? Do you wonder why the IEP is sometimes already filled out when you get to the meeting? We can answer these questions as well as give you insider tips on how to get the most out of your child’s IEP.
Contact your PEC Coordinator to schedule this workshop in your area.

Diverse Learners Conference and Resource Fair
February 18, 2012
The Botanical Center, Des Moines, IA
Two Events for one great day!
A fun day for families, educators and providers of special education students of all ages.
~Conference Sessions 8:30am-2:00pm~
Sessions include: Literacy Make and Take, Positive Behavior Supports, Homework Help 911, Positive Parenting Behavior Strategies Top Ten Transition Tips, Successfully Panel of Successfully Employed Young Adults. Registration is required. The fee is $10 and includes materials and lunch. Click here to register.
~Resource Fair Open House 11am-2:00pm~
Representatives from approximately 75 organizations will be available to talk with you about their services. There is no cost to attend the Resource Fair Open House and registration is not required for this portion of the event.
For more information contact Valerie Steinbach.

Transition Times
Gain information on planning for successful post-high school experiences in the areas of living, learning and working. For families, students, and educators of 7th-12th grade students on IEPs.
January 26, 2012
April 10, 2012
Topics to be determined
Origination Site: Heartland AEA 11 6500 Corporate Drive, Johnston, IA
Satellite Sites: ICN rooms in Ames High School and Panora High School
Register by contacting Maureen Schletzbaum at 1-800-255-0405 ext. 16299 or mschletzbaum@aea11.k12.ia.us. Please leave the site you will be attending, your name, phone number, number attending, and your school district.  If accommodations are needed, please make request as soon as possible.

Managing Challenging Behavior
Learn the importance of building positive relationships, designing supportive environments, and teaching strategies. Learn why rewards and punishment are insufficient and why sometimes behavior remains problematic even after our best efforts. This parent workshop will offer strategies and intensive supports for parents of children with more challenging behavior.

Contact your PEC Coordinator to schedule any of the above workshops in your area.

For more information or to register for a workshop contact your PEC Coordinator

Subscribe to the PEC Listserv to receive Short and To The Point newsletter and notifications of agency-wide PEC events. Contact your PEC Coordinator to receive notifications of PEC events in your area.

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