2025 Behavior Post

AI tells us that "September features significant holidays like Labor Day and Constitution Day, religious observances such as Rosh Hashanah and Michaelmas, and global events like the International Day of Peace and the Autumnal Equinox. The month also includes Hispanic Heritage Month, a major awareness month for several health issues, and countless fun, themed "national days" for everything from pizza to pirates."

At the ESC6 and beyond, it is a month packed with learning and professional opportunities. This issue also offers resources on Suicide Prevention. Several of us have lived experiences, and thus the importance of checking on one another and being there for those who are hurting.

If this is your first time with this publication, there are a few headings, including a Parent Corner near the end. TAMU has great opportunities for parents of Autistic children. Please take a look and share the information.

On the Information & More section, you will also see grant opportunities for those seeking to become SLPs. There are toolkits and more on mental health, and plenty of resources on specific special needs, including Angela Cameron's Dyslexia and Science of Reading newsletter link.

Before we go, thank you to the 62 staff members who became or renewed their CPI TOT certifications. It was a pleasure having you all here. Let's prioritize safety, trauma-informed care, and well-being for all.

Finally, enjoy the music. We are here for you.

All Texas educators may access these courses for free on the TEALearn website and earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours.

Dear Texas Schools,

Our hearts are with the families, students, staff, and first responders affected by the heartbreaking act of targeted school violence at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. In the wake of such an unimaginable tragedy, we are reminded of the importance of coming together as communities to support one another and to do everything possible to keep our schools safe. As the new school year begins, we encourage school districts to revisit, reinforce, and strengthen school safety practices and processes. To support you in this effort, we have included resources and points of consideration to assist in enhancing the safety and security of your school district in the days ahead and throughout the year.

1. Strengthening Threat Assessment and Response

School behavioral threat assessment and management is one of the most effective, proactive strategies for preventing targeted violence. Now more than ever, it’s important for staff, students, parents, and the larger community to recognize, report, and respond to warning signs. There are several school behavioral threat assessment resources available. Training is available for all district and school staff members conducting school behavioral threat assessments, and we offer a School Behavioral Threat Assessment Toolkit.

Remember that high-profile incidents can increase the likelihood of “copycat” or “hoax” behavior, particularly online. Social media monitoring and close collaboration with law enforcement partners are key. All threats should be taken seriously. To support districts in reinforcing this message with students, staff, and families, the Texas School Safety Center’s Threats Are No Joke! campaign provides ready-to-use resources that highlight the serious consequences of making or sharing threats. These materials can be incorporated into classroom discussions, parent communications, and staff reminders to emphasize that every threat, whether intended as a hoax or not, has real impacts on school safety, learning, and community trust.

The campaign complements Digital Threat Assessment Training through awareness of the tools and methods to identify online threat related behavior. Remember to use local resources and collaborative partners in law enforcement to investigate.

2. Encouraging Anonymous Reporting

School safety is everyone’s responsibility. Remind school staff, students, and families of how to report concerns – whether through your district’s anonymous reporting system, a trusted adult, or school administrators. Many times, individuals planning violence confide in someone beforehand. Never assume someone else will report it. Encourage your community to “say something” every time – because that simple step can help to prevent tragedy.

3. Reviewing Multi-Hazard Emergency Operations Plans

This is an appropriate time to review your multi-hazard emergency operations plan (EOP) with staff, with special focus on your Active Threat for Schools Annex, and Reunification Annex. The Texas School Safety Center provides several toolkits on how to develop a high quality and multi-hazard emergency operations plan, which include sample plans and templates.

Community members or parents may want to learn more about your plan or even review the plan. Please be aware that your district's emergency operations plan is subject to disclosure regarding certain information as outlined in Texas Education Code, 37.108 (c-2). You should not disclose any details of the plan beyond what is allowed that would compromise the integrity of the plan itself. Be very general when discussing details of your safety plan and cite the previous code as justification.

4. Communicating with Families and Staff

In times of heightened fear, clear and compassionate communication is vital. District messaging might include:

• Acknowledging the tragedy and reaffirming safety as your top priority
• Reminding families that plans are developed with law enforcement and practiced regularly
• Thanking parents for their understanding as schools strictly enforce safety protocols

We also recommend sharing resources that help staff, students, and parents process the psychological impact of school violence.

5. Providing Resources for Parents

Parents will be looking for ways to talk to their children about this tragedy. The following resource, Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event, can be used with parents.

Additionally, the Texas School Safety Center, in collaboration with the Texas Department of Public Safety, has developed Safe Firearm Storage Resources that school districts are required to provide to the parent or guardian of each student enrolled in the district or school at least three times each school year. The Texas School Safety Center recommends districts provide this information at the beginning of the school year, before holiday and breaks, and at the end of the school year.

The Texas School Safety Center has also developed A Parent’s Guide to School Safety Toolkit and Cyber Safety and Digital Responsibility: A Parent's Guide for you to use as resources for parents.

Tragedies like this remind us of the sacred responsibility we all share to protect children. By remaining vigilant and proactive, we can strengthen the safety of our schools and communities together.

Please visit the Texas School Safety Center website for additional information about resources and training.

Sincerely,

Texas School Safety Center

Register for Upcoming Free ADHD Webinars

• September 9: Why Chronic Pain is So Common Among Neurodivergent Youth
• September 16: From Resistance to Responsibility: Helping Tweens and Teens with ADHD Tackle Homework Independently
• September 24: The ADHD Guide to Managing Stress and Emotions at Work
• October 1: Debunking Myths and Misperceptions of ADHD: How to Influence Naysayers

Teachers can choose to participate in a virtual real-time PD or self-paced PD. Alternatively, we are able to offer some districts on-site PD! If this is something you are interested in, please let us know and we can set up a meeting to discuss your district’s needs further!

We appreciate you sharing the virtual PD opportunities below with teachers!

The Sam Houston Autism Research and Education (SHARE) 2.0 Workshop Series is now recruiting low incidence teachers to participate in a professional development over Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis.

If you choose to participate, you will be asked to do the following:

• Attend an informational session over Zoom either on 8/21 @ 11:30pm, 8/26 @ 6:00 pm, or 8/28 @ 3:00pm. During this brief meeting, we will review the consent form and discuss expectations and questions.

• To register for a virtual information session, contact Dr. Babino at mme003@shsu.edu

• Participate in 5 workshop sessions (educators can select between real-time or self-paced format):

• Real-Time: A 90-minute session will be held live for 10 weeks. During the workshops, participants will attend an interactive presentation and engage in discussion.

• Real-time workshop sessions for Fall will be held on either:

• Wednesdays from 11:00-12:30: Sept 10th, Sept 17th, October 1st, October 15th and October 29th OR

• Saturdays 11:00-12:30: Sept 13th, Sept 20th, October 4th, October 11th and November 1st

• Self-Paced: Workshop modules are available in a flexible, self-paced format.

• Participants will watch pre-recorded videos and engage in individual reflection exercises.

• Self-paced workshop sessions will be available from Sep 8th-November 1st

OR

• Participate in a two-day workshop series:

• Face-to-Face workshop: the content is combined into a two-day workshop series.

• During the workshops, participants will attend an interactive presentation and engage in discussion. There will be opportunities to roleplay, receive feedback, and ask questions.

• The locations of these series are The Woodlands University Center-3380 College Park Drive The Woodlands, TX 77384: Option 1: September 6th and September 27th OR Option 2: October 18th and October 25th.

• (if there are groups of teachers interested in the Face-to-Face option, we may be able to consider additional locations/dates/times that work for participants).

• Regardless of the format, participants will be administered a variety of assessments in a timely manner: Prior to and following the workshop sessions, participants will complete a series of written and video assessments to evaluate the efficacy of the SHARE Workshop Series.

Participants that complete the SHARE Workshop Series may be eligible for a monetary stipend and continuing professional education credits following participation.

Misti M. Babino Ed. D., BCBA, LBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). School of Teaching and Learning

Sam Houston State University

mme003@shsu.edu

As the new school year starts, I wanted to share the excellent sessions planned for this school year.

2025-2026 ESC 6 Evaluation/ARD and Postsecondary (secondary transition) Sessions

Flyers for Graduation and Postsecondary (secondary transition)

Session highlights for the fall:

8/21 - Face to Face - The Foundation of IDEA Transition Services - #569245

9/18 - Face to Face - Postsecondary September Meeting - #569207

Two CPR kits will be given to each ESC district that attends. The kit will assist with graduation requirements.

9/29 & 30 - Face to Face - SBIEP Training - #569246

10/16 - Face to Face - SPED Graduation 101 - #569205

11/6 - Face to Face - Postsecondary November Meeting - #569780

Questions reach out and looking forward to seeing everyone again this year,

Suzanne Jones, PhD

Evaluation and Graduation/Postsecondary Specialist for Special Education

Region 6 Education Service Center

936-435-8246

sjones@esc6.net

As part of Suicide Awareness Month this September, the The Behavioral Health and Suicide Prevention Community Task Force for Montgomery County will host a special event titled “Breaking the Silence” for students on September 10, 2025, in The Woodlands, TX.

We’re excited to share that Nathan Harmon, founder of Your Life Speaks, will be the keynote speaker. Nathan brings a powerful message of hope and resilience, drawing from his personal experiences with suicidal ideation, self-harm, and eating disorders during his school years.

Additionally, attendees will have the chance to win one of two \$500 gift card raffles!

The Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative is proud to announce that registration is officially open for the 2025 Texas Suicide Prevention Symposium! This free, virtual 2-day event will take place on October 1–2, 2025, and will feature leading voices, timely topics, and collaborative strategies to strengthen suicide prevention across Texas.

Register for the Symposium here: 2025 Texas Suicide Prevention Symposium

CEUs Available – Register Today!

We are pleased to offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs). To obtain CEUs, a nonrefundable, non-transferable administrative fee must be paid in advance.

Register for CEUs here: https://form.jotform.com/251347200605042

Please note: Registering for CEUs is a separate process from general event registration.

for your continued support

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and lead change in suicide prevention efforts across our state. If you have questions, please contact us at admin@texassuicideprevention.org. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to suicide prevention in Texas.

—

Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative

Save the date! Our virtual, free 2025 Children’s Mental Health Advocacy Conference is on October 21st! For more information, please visit the Lives in the Balance website.

In the meantime, our 2024 Conference featured dozens of state and federal lawmakers, advocates, those with lived experiences with punitive, exclusionary discipline, and experts on alternatives. It was an amazing day. If you missed it, here are the recordings for the three sections of the day:

Corporal Punishment Section

Restraint and Seclusion Section

Punitive, Exclusionary Discipline Section

OCALICONLINE 2025 – Snapshot

Youth engagement in suicide prevention efforts is increasingly recognized as a crucial component of effective mental health strategies. In a recent CSN webinar, presenters from the New Jersey Department of Health and the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics shared how they recruited, trained, and collaborated with young people to co-create a youth-led suicide prevention and awareness campaign.

This webinar explored how the team prioritized youth voices and personal experiences, developed messaging tailored for young audiences, and outlined a plan for campaign distribution and data collection.

TEA Revises RDA Special Education Discipline Indicators Following House Bill (HB) 6

On July 17, 2025, TEA released a To the Administrator Addressed (TAA) letter announcing updates to the 2025 and 2026 Results Driven Accountability (RDA) Special Education determination calculations. In accordance with HB 6 from Texas’ 89th Legislature (2025-2026), TEA will no longer include the following discipline-related indicators in Performance Level (PL) Mean or Determination Level calculations:

• SPED OSS and Expulsion >10 Days Rate (Ages 3–21)
• SPED ISS >10 Days Rate (Ages 3–21)
• SPED Total Disciplinary Removals Rate (Ages 3–21)

These indicators will still have PLs calculated and reported for informational purposes only, ensuring transparency while complying with the new legal requirements.

New TEA Webpage: 89th Legislature Updates

This page provides information on legislation passed during the 89th regular legislative session, including changes to the Texas Education Code and other Texas statutes. Implementation resources will also be shared here to support school leaders. As additional information becomes available, it will be communicated to school systems and posted on this page.

Download the resources here and contact us to help spread the message and keep fellow Texans safe. If you have any questions, please contact info@safegunstoragetexas.com

The CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) offers a guide for schools called “Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being in Schools: An Action Guide for School and District Leaders". This guide helps support students' feelings and mental health. It includes ways to help students understand mental health, engage in activities that promote relaxation and calmness, build connections between students, families, and school staff, and ensure that staff also take care of their well-being.

If you are seeking information on MTSS/TIER and/or on how to implement it, we have a survey for you!

By completing this questionnaire, we can tailor the courses we offer and better understand your coaching needs. Please take this 5-10 minute survey. We truly appreciate it!

ESC6 TIERmates

Tiered Interventions Using Evidence-Based Research (TIER), funded by the Texas Education

Agency, develops and disseminates information about best practices for the multi-tiered

system of supports (MTSS) framework. The project goal is to improve the quality of

interventions provided to students by increasing local education agency capacity for

implementing an effective, integrated, comprehensive framework for intervention that both is

grounded in differentiated instruction and aligned to the systems that are fundamental for all

students’ academic, behavioral, and mental health achievement.

TIER has developed a series of 11 modules, or broad topic areas, focused on a particular aspect

of MTSS. Each module contains a set of learning pathways, or individual presentations, that

support the implementation of an MTSS framework. A brief description of each module is

outlined below.

▪ Introduction – Learn about the multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) framework and

how it can be used to meet the academic, behavior, and mental health needs of all

students.

▪ Leadership – Review essential structures and practices necessary for schoolwide

implementation of MTSS.

▪ Communities – Be informed about working with caregivers and important outside-of-

school stakeholders.

▪ Behavior – See how to incorporate Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports

(PBIS) within an MTSS framework.

▪ Mental Health – Explore how to integrate mental health supports such as trauma-

informed care and restorative practices within MTSS.

▪ Screening – See why screening is an essential practice in MTSS. Learn about common

screening measures in academics and behavior.

▪ Progress Monitoring – Explore progress-monitoring measures as well as how to analyze

progress monitoring data and make data-based decisions.

▪ Decision Making – Learn how to use a data platform. Review decision rules for

determining student progress.

▪ Academics – Dive into evidence-based practices that should be included within

universal, targeted, and intensive support.

▪ Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Practices (CLRP) – Focus on culturally and

linguistically responsive practices within academic and behavior interventions.

▪ Data-based Individualization (DBI) – Learn about DBI and how it can be used to

improve student outcomes in reading, writing, behavior, and mathematics.

TIER Certification Overview

Purpose of Certification - A primary goal of the TIER project is to develop and disseminate information about best practices for an MTSS framework. One way this is accomplished is through a training of trainers (TOT) model which aims to increase the number of certified TIER trainers across the state. Once a participant becomes a TIER certified trainer, they can deliver training within their region or district in their area(s) of certification. Please note that at least one member from each education service center (ESC) should be certified to provide, at a minimum, Introduction, Leadership, and CLRP content, otherwise referred to as TIER Essentials+ Certification.

Source: © 2022 The University of Texas System/Texas Education Agency. Licensed under CC-BY-ND-NC 4.0 International.

Conscious Discipline has shared these free videos. Feel free to share with your staff and with parents.

Level Up Your Leadership - 3-Part Series addressing common Administrator Challenges

• Working with Parents - https://vimeo.com/1039776606/2692cc9476

• Supporting Teachers - https://vimeo.com/1039778339/b74872329c

• Helping Children - https://vimeo.com/1039777535/15f302b5e6

September Virtual Parent Events (Bring your kids & win cool prizes!)

The Hidden Hooks in TikTok, YouTube & Instagram, Revealed

Sneaky Ways Video Apps Keep Teens Watching

September 9, 16, 23, & 24*

Enter for a chance to win an Amazon Kindle, 3D printer, or Bluetooth speaker—just by attending!

TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts are built to keep teens hooked—with nonstop autoplay, “recommended for you” feeds, and endless scrolling that can impact focus, priorities, and even mental health.

Join us for Sneaky Ways Video Apps Keep Teens Watching and learn from experts, educators, and students how to:

• Spot the tricks these apps use

• Help teens watch with intention

• Use built-in tools to pause, set limits, and take back control

Where: LIVE online.

Dates to choose from: Sept. 9, 16, 23, & 24*
Sign up now for a chance to win a Kindle or 3D printer

Mark your calendar!

All are virtual meetings and Meeting times vary.

Parent Support Group - Second Tuesday of the month

addaoffice@pdq.net

Northwest Arkansas - Third Monday of the Month

julie@moveforwardwithadhd.com

Adult Support Group - Third Thursday of the month

addaoffice@pdq.net

Fort Bend Support Group - Last Tuesday of the month

ftbendaddasr@gmail.com

In Person Meeting

MESQUITE – Every other month,

2nd Tuesdays, 7-8 pm, Sept., Nov., Feb., April.

Professional Development Center,

3819 Towne Crossing Blvd, Mesquite, 75150

Kellie Smith, 972 882-7519, kesmith@mesquiteisd.org

The newly revised page for military families from the Center for Parent Information and Resources contains valuable resources to support military families through changes in duty stations and other challenges.

Looking to Serve?

The Texas Continuing Advisory Committee (CAC) for Special Education is looking for additional members! The CAC is the state advisory panel required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The CAC consists of members from around the state who fulfill specific roles as outlined in IDEA and state law. These members are appointed by the Office of the Governor for staggered terms of four years with the terms of half of the members expiring every two years. A majority of the members of the CAC must be individuals with disabilities or parents of children with disabilities. For more information and for a link to the application, please refer to the Continuing Advisory Committee for Special Education | Texas Education Agency webpage.

Fabiana Bezerra, LSSP, NCSP

ESC 6 Behavior & Autism Specialist for Special Education

Email: fbezerra@esc6.net
Website: https://www.esc6.net/
Location: Education Service Center Region 6, Montgomery Road, Huntsville, TX, USA
Phone: 936-435-8252
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESC6SPED/
Twitter: @escregion6