The Connection

Welcome back! We are excited to share some great resources with you in our first edition of The Connection in 2024! You will find a virtual training by Family Connection SC about Understanding Your Child's IEP. You can also find info to register for a Pathways for Parents webinar on Strategies for Reducing Caregiver Anxiety and Stress as well. Don't miss the Behavior Tip and there is a Project Search Family Info Night on Jan. 18th!

We hope you'll take some time to read through these resources, and don't forget that if you need a question answered or just aren't sure where to turn, you can contact our Parent Liaison, Erika Chapman, at 843-292-1008 or echapman@f1s.org. She would love to connect with you!

Marika Fairly, from @parenting_fairly, gives these tips on increasing the behaviors we want to see in our kiddos.

"Which behaviors do you pay attention to and acknowledge in your children? The appropriate behaviors you want to see more of or the ones that frustrate you?

I know I find myself paying attention to the frustrating, unwanted behaviors more than I’d like! And no kidding! If they frustrate or annoy us, we are more likely to notice them!😅BUT we can’t forget to pay attention to all the “good” things our kids are doing. Because I promise they are doing good things!
Attention is such a huge reinforcer for most of us, meaning, if we give attention following a behavior, the behavior will increase.
(Reinforcement simply means a behavior will increase in the future)

So what behaviors do you WANT to increase? ? And what behaviors are you paying attention to?

When you see them, don’t take them for granted. Say:
👍🏽”Thank you”
👍🏽”Wow, I noticed you…”
👍🏽”I appreciate when…”
👍🏽”I liked the way…”
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽"

Understanding your Child’s IEP can seem like a challenge-but it doesn’t have to be! Learn what it is, it’s importance, and how to prepare.

Join a representative from Family Connection SC for a thorough introduction to the Individual Education Program. The IEP serves as a road map for special education students ages 3-21. We will discuss the steps of the special education process and learn key terms, gain an understanding of the roles of all members of the IEP team (parents and caregivers are an important part!), understand the contents of the IEP and what they mean, and learn how to become a more knowledgeable and active participant in their child’s meetings.

When: Tuesday, January 23 at 6:00pm
Virtual Training

Link will be sent once you have registered.

Register here: https://forms.gle/34AipezMB7V2NXnQ8

You are invited to join us for this free webinar for parents and caregivers

of children with autism. Register today by clicking the link below!

Parenting Can Be Difficult: Strategies for Reducing Caregiver Anxiety and Stress

Thursday, January 25, 2024

5:15pm - 6:30pm ET

Presented by Abigail Rix, M.A., M.B.A, LABA, BCBA

This is the fourth of a 10 month webinar series provided virtually by experts at the National Autism Center at May Institute. Please stay tuned for future webinars.

ABOUT THIS WEBINAR: Parenting is often wonderful, but it can also be challenging. This is especially true for many parents of autistic children. If you often feel overwhelmed, stressed, or exhausted by parenting responsibilities, you are not alone. During this webinar, we will discuss proven and practical strategies for reducing stress and anxiety.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Abigail Rix, M.A., M.B.A, LABA, BCBA
Program Director, May Center for ABA Services, West Springfield, Mass.

Register here: Parenting Can Be Difficult Parent Training

Once you register, you will receive an email to confirm your attendance

and more information about the training.

Join us on January 18, 2024 from 6pm-8pm for the Florence 1 Schools 2024-2025 Project SEARCH Family Information Night!

Project Search is an F1S post-secondary program for non-diploma track students who are between the ages of 18-20. Please join us for a family meeting to find out if Project SEARCH is a good fit for your student.

F1S Project SEARCH partners with Mcleod Health and Raldex Hospitality. The Information Night will be held at the McClenaghan Adult Education Building at 500 S Dargan Street in Florence, SC.

Learn more about F1S Project SEARCH here at this link.

For more information, please contact Kandee Shelor, Transition Coordinator at 843-292-1005.

In my role as Parent Liaison for F1S Programs for Exceptional Children, I often have parents reach out to me asking if there are accommodations that can be put in place to help support their student that struggles with aniety. LIsa LIghtner, from A Day In Our Shoes, created a great list of helpful accommodations that could be considered for students with anxiety.

Check the post and list here.

Erika Chapman is the Florence One Schools Parent Liaison for our Program for Exceptional Children. Erika serves as a liaison between teachers, parents, students, support staff and the community regarding educational programs, services and student issues in areas of Programs for Exceptional Children.

You will receive our PEC parent newsletter, The Connection, twice a month. It's full of helpful information, announcements and the dates for all upcoming parent training events. Erika can help parents/guardians to connect to resources both within and outside of the district; as well as get connected to agencies like DDSN, fill out paperwork for Medicaid and understand your child's IEP.

The Parent Liaison website also has lots of helpful resources for families. On the website you can find all past PEC newsletters and helpful webinars on Understanding Your Child's IEP and All About Resources in the Florence area. Check it out!

Please feel free to reach out to Erika if she can assist you in any way! Her email is echapman@fsd1.or and her phone number is 843-292-1008.

Do you want to know what your student's school is offering for breakfast and lunch during the month of January? Find out here!

We would love to hear from you! If you have a question or comment you can contact our Parent Liaison, Erika Chapman, at echapman@f1s.org or 843-292-1008 or visit the Parent Liaison website for helpful resources.

You also can contact us at exceptionalchildren@f1s.org or at 843-673-1161.

Email: exceptionalchildren@f1s.org
Website: f1s.org
Phone: (843) 673-1161