Family Resource Group-November '25

Thanksgiving is coming soon. There are many things to be thankful for this year. We hope you have some chances to reflect on the year's successes and progress with your child.

As always, if you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact me at any time. We also invite the teachers, therapists and school staff who work with your child to register to receive a copy of the newsletter as well. There is a question on the registration page for professionals so that we can contact them. Please pass this on to everyone that supports your child.

Erin Campion

Family Resource Group (FRG) Editor

ecampion@pattan.net

Your local task force (LTF) has started a new year of meetings, information sharing, and planning. Each Intermediate Unit (IU) has an LTF. Check out your local IU website for more information!

Across the state, LTFs are looking to gather resources for families of children with disabilities and compile them into one Resource Hub. Do you have something in your area that you can add? If you know of some supports in your area, please submit them to be included on the map that is being developed. Thanks for your help!

You can send the information either electronically with the link or with the form below. Help spread the word so we know what is available in your area, and beyond!

With Google Gemini's Guided Learning, instead of just giving your child a quick answer, Gemini will explain some of the basic information but will then ask the child questions to bring them into a discussion and encourage them to think critically. See this article from Eric Curtic for a short demonstration video (9 minutes) and written directions on how you and your child can use Guided Learning.

"Does success in a high-tech industry require four years of college? Are jobs involving math, computers, and science available for everyone? Many students don’t realize the opportunities available by following a vocational STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) career track. This four-part series from DCMP shows that rewarding, well-paid jobs in several STEM industries are attainable with only two years of training. Each episode features three case studies, all focusing on employees who were hired after completing associate’s degrees, certifications, or apprenticeships."

Appropriate assistive technology (AT) devices and services can allow students with disabilities to fully participate in, and benefit from, the general education curriculum and to meet Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals. This brochure provides guidance as teams develop IEPs for students using assistive technology.

Download or order here.

These fact sheets provide information on the Framework for Access and Belonging (FAB), a structured process used to analyze and improve an individual student's access and belonging in their learning environment, with the goal of expanding participation and learning for students with disabilities.

Call for student vendors! Do you know students who make & sell their own products?

We’re highlighting mini-businesses established by students in the secondary transition process at the 2026 PDE Conference at Hershey Conference Center, Feb 25-27, 2025.

• Applications due Friday, 1/9/26
• Contact the PDE Exhibit Hall team to apply at pdeconferenceexhibitors@pattankop.net

Apply now and join us in #MakingADifferenceinPA! http://tinyurl.com/PAEdConf