The Watertown SEPAC is hosting a Winter Caregiver Social at City Works Bar and Restaurant in Arsenal Yard. Come grab a beverage and connect with other Watertown caregivers of children with disabilities.

RSVP so we can tell City Work approximately how large our party will be.

Can't wait to see you there!!!

For the January 2024 - May 2024 SEPAC Officer Board

The Watertown SEPAC is collecting nominations for our upcoming officer election which will be held by google form in January 2024.

If you are a voting member you will be sent a nomination google form on December 12th, 2023. The form will contain details on officers roles and duties.

To be a voting member you must have attended two SEPAC meetings/events in the past 12 months (The December 11th Social Counts towards voting membership!). Being a Voting member makes you eligible to be nominated, vote, and run in our SEPAC Elections!

Nominations are due by December 20th. If you do not receive a nomination form but believe you are a voting member, please reach out to us at sepac.watertown@gmail.com

Greater Massachusetts Special-Needs Events is a fantastic resource for accessible events!

Check them out to see the many events in December. A few highlights:

Special Event Hanukkah at Museum of Fine Arts

Boston, December 7th, 2023

“The Extraordinary Nutcracker” for Mass Down Syndrome Congress Families & Friends

East Cambridge, MA, December 8th – 10th, 2023

“A Christmas Story”, Sensory Friendly, American Sign Language & Audio Described

Worcester, December 17th, 2023

Autism Eats provides autism-friendly non-judgmental environments for family dining, socializing and connecting with others who share similar joys and challenges.

Event will be in a private room and delicious buffet. This event like all Autism Eats events is entirely autism family friendly and all behaviors are welcome.

Maggiano's-Boston, MA December 9, 2023

Date: December 9, 2023

Time: 10am-12pm

Location: Maggiano's Little Italy

4 Columbus Ave

Boston, MA 02116

12+ $25.00

11 and under: $20.00

For Tickets: https://www.autismeats.org/december-9-2023

The Watertown SEPAC is not hosting any trainings in December, but several other orgs in MA are hosting a variety of trainings!

Many of these are free, open to all, and held virtually. Check out to the below links to see what is available in December! We've highlighted a few trainings from each.

(Note: most trainings require pre-registration)

• Special Needs Advocacy Network (SPAN) training Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/span-parent-advocacy-network-313399547
• Paperwork for Families - December 12 @ 12 PM
• From Measurable Goals to Making Progress - December 21 @ 12 PM

• Parent Professional Advocacy League (PPAL) events: https://ppal.net/events/
• VIRTUAL: Caregiver of Youth with Mental Health Needs Support Group - December 14 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
• Pre-Planning for a Mental Health Crisis: The Road to Readiness - December 27 @ 10:00 am - 11:30 am

• Free trainings offered by the Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN): https://fcsn.org/news/#calendar
• Discipline and Suspension Training - December 18 @ 9:00 am - 11:00 am
• Effective Communication with Schools - December 19 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

The Watertown Public School District (WPS) Student Services Office is hosting and presenting monthly workshops for Watertown caregivers. While this workshop is geared toward families who are going through an initial evaluation for the first time, it is open to everyone.

The student services office will also host and present some additional trainings during the school year. For more information about these events and for other updates from the Student Services Office, see the most recent student services newsletter: https://www.smore.com/uwjsp-welcome-back

https://sites.google.com/watertown.k12.ma.us/watertown-sepac/mailing-list