CESA #1 Parent–Educator Link Newsletter: 01/05/07
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Welcome to the CESA #1 Parent-Educator Link Newsletter. This newsletter will contain information on coming events and general information on topics related to educating and parenting children with disabilities. This newsletter will be updated semi-monthly. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to other parents, educators, and professionals who live and work with children and young adults with disabilities. If you learn of events or information that you would like to share with others, please contact Cheri Sylla, Parent Education Consultant, at or 262-787-9565.
EVENTS: WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES, & MEETINGS:
Parents of Young Children
What: This is an ongoing support group offering the opportunity to speak with other parents of young
children (infants to school-aged children). This professionally facilitated group addresses issues such
as behavioral concerns, stress management, and sibling rivalry. Sponsored by the Women's Center
Family Support Project.
When: Meets every Wednesday; 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: The Women's Center, 505 N. East Avenue, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Cost: FREE. There is FREE onsite childcare available. Registration for childcare is required.
Contact: Call 262-547-4600 for details, directions, and/or to register for childcare.
Woodland Academy-Lake Country Parent Education Series on Children with Special Needs
What: These Parent education and support meetings promote understanding of children with special needs.
Shire Pharmaceuticals is sponsoring the series. The series is open to the public with no charge.
When: Meets second Tuesday of every month throughout the school year.7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 13th, 2007 – Jennifer Ruesch, Dietician who will talk about diet and it’s affect on
ADHD. Kaysie Kowalewski, Special Education Teacher, will speak on childhood diabetes.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007 – Becky Gross, Alternative Education Teacher with the Oconomowoc
Schools will speak on the GED Option II and Nova Net as a means of completing class work in high
school.
Where: WestwoodHealth & FitnessCenter, 2900 Golf Road, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Cost: FREE.
Contact: Call Dianna Susitti at 262-490-9900 or Carl Eschweiler at 414-217-6564.
Special Education Parent Support Group
What: This is a group of families and educators in the WaukeshaSchool District who are working together to
meet the needs of children in Waukesha. They meet to share stories, ideas, and resources that may
positively impact and encourage each others’ lives.
Where: BantingElementary School, MediaCenter; 2019 Butler Drive, Waukesha, Wisconsin
When: Thursdays; 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
February 8th, 2007 – Summer Programs
March 8th, 2007 – Sibling Issues
May 10th, 2007 – Topic to be determined
Cost: Free.
Contact: If you need childcare, you must RSVP to Tracey Hannon at 262-970-1226 (between the hours
of 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m.) or e-mail at
Parent Series for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
What: The Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin is sponsoring a series of workshops and meetings for
parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Topics vary from strategies, collaboration, and
success stories.
Where: NicoletHigh School, D-Wing Library; Glendale, Wisconsin
When: Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, January 13th, 2007 – Understanding Behavior as Communication
Saturday, February 10th, 2007 – Our Journey with Autism
Saturday, March 10th, 2007 – Conflict Resolution and Mediation
Saturday, April 14th, 2007 – Keeping the Family Happy – Understanding the Needs of Siblings
Saturday, May 5th, 2007 – Communication Strategies
Cost: FREE, but pre-registration is required.
Contact: Please call (414) 427-9345; Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin;
Creating the Vision: Transition Workshop
What: This workshop will give parents, students, and staff who work with them an overview of how to
prepare for the transition process. Sponsored by the SouthShore Special Education Consortium.
When: Thursday, January 18th, 2007 (6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.)
Where: St. Ann’s Center; 2801 E. Morgan Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Cost: Free.
Contact: For more information about the workshop contact Gail Kolvenbach, WI FACETS at 414-374-4645,
ext. 111 or 877-374-4677.
Parents In Partnership (PIP) for Transition
What: Are you a parent, foster parent, grandparent, or other caregiver? Do you care for a child who is 12 to
21 years old and who has a developmental delay, disability, or chronic illness? Then Parents
In Partnership might be for you. The PIP program trains a group of parents over five weekends on
leadership and topics related to their child’s transition from high school to adulthood. Learn about
resources for youth with special needs; leadership and advocacy roles for parents; explore topics of
interest, learn how to access county and state resources. Sponsored by Wisconsin Statewide Parent-
Educator Initiative (WSPEI)..
When: Meets on Saturdays: January 27, 2007; February 24, 2007; March 10, 2007; April 21, 2007; and May
19, 2007.
Where: Lodge at Cedar Creek in Wausau, Wisconsin.
Cost: Free. Time commitment only.
Contact: Phyllis Voelker toll free at 1-877-844-4925 Or Jenny Neugart at
“Ready, Set, Go” Beyond Birth to 3 – Transitions & Options
What: This workshop will teach participants the differences and similarities between the Birth to 3 program
and special education services from public schools. Participants will also learn about eligibility
criteria, options for Early Childhood, and how to build partnerships with families as their child leaves
Birth to 3.
When: Monday, January 29th, 2007;9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Where: GoodwillCommunity Center; 1400 Nike Drive, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Cost: $25 for professional; $15 for parents.
Contact: For more information about the workshop contact Lori Turim, Transition Consultant, 262-787-9564 or
Cheri Sylla, Parent Education Consultant, 262-787-9565. To register: Barbara Andrychowica at
CESA #1: 262-787-9515 or
Reactive Attachment Disorder
What: This is an informational meeting sponsored by Parents United Consortium in WaukeshaCounty.
Parents United provides many speaker presentations throughout the school year on specific topics.
Presenter: Ray Kinney of Cornerstone Counseling.
Where: Westwood Health & Fitness Center Conference Room, 2900 Golf Road, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
When: Thursday, February 1st, 2007; 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: Edie Scott at262-965-2001 or e-mail at
Fourth Annual Wisconsin Transition Conference
What: This two-day conference is sponsored by the Wisconsin Statewide Transition Initiative (WSTI).
Conference includes keynote speakers Dr. Pamela LeConte, Dr. Howard Muscott, Dr. Ed O’Leary,
Dr. Joanne Cashman, and Dr. Paul Kohler. There are many break-out sessions on topics that cover
transition for students age 14 to adulthood. This is a conference not to be missed!.
When: Thursday, February 15th and Friday, February 16th, 2007
Where: HolidayInnConferenceCenter, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Cost: $175 before January 5th; $225 after January 5th.
Contact: For more information contact Lisa Hebgen, Conference Director at 608-822-2631 or
. To register contact Chasta Cimfl, CESA #11 at 715-986-2020, ext. 2206 or
. Registration can be done on-line at
Childhood Bi-Polar Disorder
What: This is an informational meeting sponsored by Parents United Consortium in WaukeshaCounty.
Parents United provides many speaker presentations throughout the school year on specific topics.
Where: Westwood Health & Fitness Center Conference Room, 2900 Golf Road, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
When: Thursday, March 1st, 2007; 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: Edie Scott at262-965-2001 or e-mail at
Bullying
What: This is an informational meeting sponsored by Parents United Consortium in WaukeshaCounty.
Parents United provides many speaker presentations throughout the school year on specific topics.
Presenter: James Shander, MD, WilkinsonMedicalCenter.
Where: Westwood Health & Fitness Center Conference Room, 2900 Golf Road, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
When: Thursday, March 1st, 2007; 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: Edie Scott at262-965-2001 or e-mail at
Batteries NOT Included: Motivating the Reluctant Learner
What: Rick Lavoie is the leading expert on learning difficulties and the creator of the award-winning PBS
film “ How Difficult Can This Be?: The F.A.T. City Workshop.” Rick has spent over 30 years
working with kids who struggle to learn, as well as with their parents and teachers. This is sponsored
by MetroParent Magazine.
Where: CardinalStritchUniversity, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
When: Tuesday, March 21st, 2007; 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $150 / person.
Contact: MetroParent at 414-259-1884 for information or to order tickets.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
What: This is an informational meeting sponsored by Parents United Consortium in WaukeshaCounty.
Parents United provides many speaker presentations throughout the school year on specific topics.
Presenter: Brad Riemann, PhD, Director of OCD Clinic, RogersMemorialHospital, Oconomowoc.
Where: Westwood Health & Fitness Center Conference Room, 2900 Golf Road, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
When: Tuesday, April 3rd, 2007; 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Contact: Edie Scott at262-965-2001 or e-mail at
The Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum (WI YLF) in now Accepting Applications
What: 8th annual forum. This is an opportunity for high school students with disabilities to improve their
leadership skills, increase their career awareness, learn their rights and responsibilities, and meet other
youth leaders from throughout the state all while having fun. Current high school sophomores,
juniors, and seniors with disabilities (students with an IEP or 504 Plan)
Where: UW-Whitewater Campus, Whitewater, Wisconsin
When: June 24th – 29th, 2007.
Cost: No cost to attend.
Contact: For more information and to obtain an application please contact Jenny Neugart, WI YLF Director at
608-266-8778 or
SAVE THE DATES:
Parent Leadership Conference
Annual parent leadership conference will be held Wednesday, March 7th, 2007 at the Olympia Resort and Convention Center in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. More information coming soon.
2007 Rehabilitation & Transition Conference
“Cruising Into the Future”. This annual event is Wisconsin’s premiere conference for rehabilitation and transition professionals. The conference is scheduled March 21-23, 2007 at the American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin. Visit for conference updates.
Circles of Life Conference.
This annual conference will be held in Madison, Wisconsin at the Marriott West on April 26th & 27th, 2007.
WEBSITES AND RESOURCES:
Links to numerous sites are located at:
What’s New at DPI? –
- Information Update Bulletin 06:03, Parentally Place Private School Children with Disabilities – 10/24/06
- Information Update Bulletin 06:02, Legal Requirements Relating to Disciplining Children with Disabilities – 10/23/06.
Parent’s Rights Document:
OSEP Reviewed Materials on IDEA 2004:
Wisconsin Special Education Law: and
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction 2007-09 Education Agenda (Biennial Budget Highlights)
Federal Special Education Regulations:
New website that connects all the new laws: Building The Legacy: IDEA 2004: or
DPI State Performance Plan:
Parents and schools working together on behalf of children with disabilities: visit
Conference & Meeting Information - Statewide:
Statewide Initiatives:
Children & Youth with Special Needs Health Care Needs Regional Centers
The 5 Special Health Care Centers can help parents and providers find information on issues related to diagnosis, special education, transitions, medical home, and community supports and services. All information is confidential and free. The center staff will connect parents to parent support group opportunities and one-on-one parent matches. The centers offer a wide variety of trainings on topics such as transitions, funding options, special education, and state and county services.
SoutheasternRegionalCenter – Milwaukee: 414-266-6333 or 800-234-5437;
Southern RegionalCenter – Madison: 608-263-5895 or
Rehabilitation for Wisconsin SCOOP Newsletter online:
Lowe’s Charitable and Education Foundation – Lowe’s Toolbox for Education
Description: Lowe’s will donate $5,000,000 to schools and school parent-teacher groups at more than 1000 different schools in 2006 and 2007. These grants will help schools and parent groups increase parent involvement, build stronger community spirit, and create new school traditions.
Funding amount: Up to $5,000 per school is available.
Who May apply: Any non-profit K-12 school (including charter, parochial, private, etc.) or parent group (associated with a nonprofit K-12 school) that has a group tax ID number and official 501(c)(3) status from the IRS is eligible. Organizations that do not have 501(c)(3) status may apply through their schools.
Application deadline: February 15, 2007. Only the first 1,500 applications will be reviewed.
For more information:
Wisconsin Seizure Control Network
The network is a resource for families, professionals, and caregivers to use to gain access to information on epilepsy related issues. The network is designed to help children and youth with epilepsy achieve seizure control more quickly and effectively and reduce or prevent the developmental, physical, social and emotional affects associated with poor seizure control. This is done by enabling health care providers to obtain early evaluation and intervention and by providing early education to children and families. Available on this site on Parents & Families you will find forms and documents regarding: Communication with Health Care Providers, Medication Lists, and School Action Plans and Emergency Plans.
Check the website for more information:
Yellow Pages For Kids
The Yellow Pages for Kids User Guide will teach you how to be a more effective advocate. Learn how to build your team, get educated about your child's disability, find special education advocacy training, locate a parent group, and get legal and advocacy help. Do you help parents and caregivers get special education services for children with disabilities? Does your organization provide information and assistance? Do you facilitate a support or study group for parents of children with disabilities? Go to for further information
The CESA #1 Parent – Educator Link Newsletter is published approximately semi-monthly. CESA #1 is not a legal agency and cannot provide legal advice or legal representation. We do not endorse any treatments, providers, or product information in this newsletter. As with any program for your child, parents are encouraged to thoroughly check out references when enrolling their child in any program. Any information contained in this newsletter is not intended as legal advice but only for informational purposes. Submissions from parents and professionals are welcomed. Questions regarding any information in this newsletter can be directed to:
Cheri Sylla
CESA #1Parent Education Consultant
262-787-9565 or
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10/5/2018