Family Resource Group-October '25

It is exciting to see the seasons change. Fall is definitely in the air. Hopefully, the school year has started and is moving along well. It is great to see progress.

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

This presentation highlights the vital role music plays in supporting language and literacy development in children with hearing loss. Parents will discover how rhythm, melody, and musical engagement enhance listening, speech, vocabulary, and reading skills. Practical strategies for incorporating music into daily routines will also be shared. Join us on October 23 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

This presentation introduces parents to how artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies can support communication, learning, and daily living for children with hearing loss. It highlights practical tools and resources that empower families and enhance the overall quality of life for their children.. Join us on November 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Meet and connect with peers your age from all over the world, who understand your experiences. It’s a place to make friendships and share stories in a welcoming virtual environment. LEAP welcomes registrants who are in Middle School, 6th to 8th grade (11-13 years old). Contact us at LEAP@agbell.org. Join us on November 15 at 12:30 p.m. ET.

The Listen Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2026 Listen CI Camp Scholarship. Financial assistance, in the form of partial camp scholarships, is available for a limited number of families who cannot otherwise afford to attend camp. Family members eligible to participate in include the child(ren) who use a cochlear implant, aged 3-18, along with their parents/legal guardians and siblings up to 18 years of age.

Families seeking financial assistance to attend camp are encouraged to apply by Friday, November 14, 2025.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is happy to announce a new resource, “Bridging the Gap from Classroom to Community: Transition Resources Related to Communication”!

Transition planning helps students with disabilities and their families get ready for life after high school and helps bridge supports between youth and adult service systems. It includes planning and preparing for employment, further education or training, and living independently.

This resource provides information on how to ensure access to effective communication while supporting individuals during the transition process.

This resource bundle includes transition information on the following:

American Sign Language

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Limited English Proficiency (LEP)

Speech and Blind/Visual Impairment

Tactile Communication

Visual Gestural Communication

The Transition Planning for Communication Resource is found on MyODP. It is also attached to this message.

Please contact the ODP Special Populations Unit at RA-PWSpecialPopUnit@pa.gov with any questions.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is excited to announce the annual publication of the Resource Guide for Supporting Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing Individuals.

The purpose of this guide is to offer resources in one central location for those who support or care for someone who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind, and receives supports from ODP. The guide provides some of the most frequently accessed resources to assist in addressing the unique needs of these populations, such as information about American Sign Language (ASL) courses, home modifications, assistive technology, a foundational organizations directory, and so much more!

Development of this guide included input from individuals within the Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, and hearing communities and will be revised annually.

This guide is attached and can also be found on MyODP under the Resource Guide for Supporting Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Individuals.

For questions, email RA-ODPDeafServices@pa.gov.

Student safety is a top priority for all educators. School staff are trained to help students with disabilities manage their emotions and behavior. They use different techniques to de-escalate students, refocus attention, and reduce behaviors that could create unsafe situations. As a last resort, staff may need to use restraints to ensure the safety of the student and others. This publication explains some of the details.

School staff are trained to understand how a student’s disability might affect their actions and to use strategies like calming techniques, positive behavior supports, and clear expectations and routines to help them be successful in school. Even with these strategies in place, a student’s behavior can lead to a disciplinary change in placement. When that happens, the school must conduct a manifestation determination meeting to determine whether the behavior was related to the student’s disability. This publication highlights this information for families.

Students achieve greater success when their families take an active role in their education. PaTTAN’s Schools Engaging Families Initiative will be providing a webinar training series.

This training series will provide information to assist school staff with the planning and implementation of a successful program to enhance family-school partnerships. Each session will reflect on family engagement research, resources, best practices, and activities. Registration is required. Invite your school to attend with you!

Join us for the second annual Technology Adventure for Students with Hearing & Vision Needs -- connecting students, families, educators, assistive technology (AT) representatives, and community agencies in your region!

Explore new technology, chat with vendors, find helpful resources, and ask any questions you may have. Participate in sessions with the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to learn more about the supports available for students before and after graduation, including assistive technology services.

Don't miss this chance to embark on this adventure, grow your skills, learn, and explore together right in your community. Register by choosing your desired location below or through the PaTTAN training calendar See you there!

Locations:

• Eastern Region Event November 18th; 8:45 am- 3:45 pm
• Central Region Event November 20th; 8:45 am- 3:45 pm

NTID Youth Programs has something for everyone—whether it's science, writing, math, gaming, and exploring careers. Now that registration is open for all our fall opportunities, it’s the perfect time for students to sign up and get involved! Discover Our Programs

• STEM Trivia Contest

• Tiger Gaming League

• Spirit Writing Competition

(Grades 10-11)
Competition Open! Submit by December 5!
Write amazing stories and win big prizes!

• Math Competition

Call for #StudentVendors! Do you know students who make & sell their own products?

We’re highlighting mini-businesses established by students in the #secondarytransition 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

The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education is pleased to announce the following conference opportunity:

2025 PBIS MTSS Implementers' Forum

Dates/Times:
November 12, 2025 from 9:00 AM – 4:15 PM
November 13, 2024 from 9:00AM – 4:15 PM
November 14, 2024 from 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Locations: (Sessions will be presented live from various locations and live streamed to the others.)
PaTTAN Central
Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3 (Limited registration available)
Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit 16
Colonial Intermediate Unit 20
Delaware County Intermediate Unit 25
Northwest Tri County Intermediate Unit 5

The Forum will provide a look at implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) across diverse settings—from classrooms to state systems. We will focus on building inclusive school cultures through effective practices, leadership alignment, and staff engagement. Participants will explore inclusive practices, both in-person and virtual, and sustain improvements through evidence-based methods.