Highland Park ISD Parent Newsletter

The resources and events shared in this section are for information purposes only. Highland Park ISD does not recommend or endorse any service, activity, or organization. Parents and families are encouraged to determine whether a service, activity, or organization is appropriate for them, given their unique needs.

We’re excited to announce the details of the 2026 Spectrum Support Society Autism Walk — a meaningful event bringing our community together to support autism awareness, connection, and inclusion!

Date: Saturday, April 25th, 9:00am-noon
Location: Arden Road Elementary Park — Amarillo, TX

There will be something for the whole family:
Food trucks, Bounce houses, Prizes & raffles, Resource Central & more!

Whether you walk, bring your family, or stop by to show your support, this is going to be a wonderful day for our community. Let’s raise awareness and lift up individuals and families affected by autism together.

Free to attend! Grab your ticket here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-autism-walk

Want a keepsake? Event T-shirts are available too

What is PDSES?

• PDSES provides a $1,500 one-time grant to parents of students who are both enrolled in a Texas public school and receive special education services. Parents can use PDSES grant funds to purchase educational goods and services for their student on the online marketplace.
• This is a one-time only grant. If you have previously applied for or received a PDSES grant, you cannot reapply for the same student.

How do I apply?

• You must apply for a PDSES grant during the annual application window: April 1-30, 2026.
• To apply for the PDSES grant, parents MUST have or create a My SPEDTex Account.

• To receive reminders, you can sign up for PDSES email updates.

What can we purchase?

• With PDSES accounts, parents are able to purchase educational goods and services from the PDSES online marketplace.

2025-2026 School Year PDSES Program Overview: ENGLISH | SPANISH
2025-2026 Application Process for Parents: ENGLISH | SPANISH

PILC will be hosting our Youth Encountering Success (YES) Summer Camp 2026 for youth ages 14–24 with disabilities. This camp is designed to empower young individuals by building independence, confidence, and life skills in a supportive environment.

Applications are due April 17, 2026

YES Camp 2026 Contact Person

Amber Hardie IL Specialist info@pilc.org

We help young adults ages 14 - 22 with services in preparing for life after high school. That decision can be to get some work experience. We can help prepare students with educational opportunities for degrees or certifications. There are many services that we can help with. If you, or you know a student with a disability that wants to apply for services, visit the Start My VR Page to begin the process & get connected with a Specialized Counselor.

We help students with disabilities get ready for college and work. Services are based on eligibility and need.

Call or visit the website - https://www.211texas.org - to find or search for a variety of Texas Health and Human Services resources - food, health, housing, and more

Did you know Medicaid waiver programs are for people who have a disability? They are called a waiver program because they waive the income that the family makes. Medicaid waiver programs provide additional supports or funding beyond what Medicaid provides.

All the waiver programs have long waiting lists, over 10 years. It is important for you to get your child on the waiting list as early as possible.

To learn more:

https://www.hhs.texas.gov/regulations/policies-rules/waivers

Career Resource Center

Services and Programs at The Career Resource Center (CRC) are offered at no charge in both Lubbock and Amarillo. The centers have resumed face-to-face training and some services are also offered virtually.

Levels of Classes

The Career Resource Center encompasses free services including Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced computer skills classes. Other Employment Development Training opportunities and Career Enhancement Seminars relevant to successfully competing in today’s job market are also offered.

Virtual Classes & Testing

​​Goodwill offers an online tool to evaluate skill level in Word, Excel & PowerPoint. Upon enrolling in virtual classes, participants will have the opportunity to Learn to Zoom and choose from a variety of employment development seminars and additional tools to present results on a resume and during a job interview.

Education Credits

Continuing Education Credits will be earned through a partnership with South Plains College upon successful completion of the following computer courses: Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced. Call one of Goodwill’s Career Centers to get started.
(806) 744-0440 in Lubbock or (806) 331-6890 in Amarillo.

This program focuses on improving interaction between law enforcement and drivers with disabilities with unique communication needs. Texans now have the option to disclose “Communication Impediment” directly on their Driver License or State ID or when registering their vehicle through the DMV. This will alert the trained officer of an individual who may be slower to respond or one who is deaf or hard of hearing. Individuals with the following disability categories may be eligible: Autism, Brain Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Intellectual Disability, Parkinson’s Disease, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Speech and Language Disorders, Deaf, and Hard of Hearing. To get started, go to www.TexasDrivingWithDisability.com.

The Texas SPED Support website has added a new video collection. This collection captures real-life examples and recommendations for transition planning. In each video, the young adult shares the story of their successful transition to life beyond high school. The videos feature four different young adults from across Texas sharing their transition journey: Abigail, Daylan, Sydney, and Juan (Spanish).

https://spedsupport.tea.texas.gov/resource-library/daylans-advice-transition

There’s a world of possibilities in front of students. My Texas Future helps them expand their options, set their goals, and take action. Explore college and career tools to support students along their journey.

https://www.mytexasfuture.org/middle-high-school/

You can use developmental milestones to figure out if your child is growing and developing as expected. Developmental milestones are behaviors and skills that most children can do within a certain age range. Some examples are looking at people and objects, smiling, eating, waving “bye-bye,” walking, and talking. Remember, every child is different and develops at their own pace. If you notice your child is not reaching milestones when expected, they might need some extra help to learn new skills. Use this developmental milestones checklist to see how your child is doing.

The traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury support group “The Second Life” will give survivors as well as their caregivers the support and strength they need to move forward together, rather than on their own.

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Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month from 5:30 pm-7:00 pm at PILC located at 417 SW 10th Ave, Amarillo, TX 79101.

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For more information, please contact the center toll-free at (800) 585-6768 or locally at (806) 374-1400.

The Independent Living Services program, or ILS, provides services for the hard of hearing/deaf, visually impaired, blind and those with mobility needs. They can provide hearing aids, visual aids and mobility services such as ramps.

Our employment coordinators offer vocational assistance such as job readiness training, job placement and job coaching to prepare men and women with disabilities for meaningful, rewarding occupations. We strive to build successful relationships between employers and job seekers.

PILC also participates in Social Security's Ticket to Work program and is an authorized Employment Network. Ticket to Work connects you with free employment services to help you decide if working is right for you, prepare for work, find a job or maintain success while you are working. If you choose to participate, you will receive services such as career counseling, vocational rehabilitation, and job placement and training from PILC. PILC will serve as an important part of your "employment team" that will help you on your journey to financial independence.

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Work Incentives make it possible for you to explore work while still receiving benefits. They are designed to help you succeed!

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• You may be able to keep your Medicaid/Medicare while you work.

• You have access to individualized support services.

• You can try work with confidence, knowing you may be able to keep some or all of your benefits during your transition period.

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Call our office toll-free at (800) 585-6768 or locally at (806) 374-1400 and ask to speak to one of our employment coordinators to learn more about vocational opportunities and related services that help people find jobs.

Join us as we talk about Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This workshop will provide participants with an overview of the characteristics and educational implications of Autism Spectrum Disorders. We will explore how the characteristics of autism vary significantly within and across individuals with ASDs, as well as how students with autism have varying degrees of challenges and strengths. Early diagnosis and intervention strategies will be discussed.

This virtual session will meet on April 21, 2026 at 12:00 pm

To register:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yl-zWsGvQ6G1L86u-nqkDA#/registration

Join us as we talk about Transition to Adulthood.

This workshop will provide parents with IDEA transition requirements for a student with a disability preparing for life after high school. We will cover important aspects of transition planning, information typically included in a transition plan, how transition plans are developed and by whom, and resources for more information on transition.

This virtual session will meet on April 30, 2026 at 11:30 am

To register:

HHSC staff will provide an overview of what a Medicaid waiver is, what waiver programs we have in Texas, including information about eligibility, how to get added to the interest list, and what the different waiver programs cover.

Guest presenter:Courtney Caruthers, Manager, Federal Coordination, Rules and Committees, Texas Health and Human Services Commission

This virtual session will meet on May 5, 2026 at 12:15 pm

To register:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_35s45uqRQPC9KxoD9Ua82A#/registration

Join us as we talk about Stop the Summer Slide.

In this webinar, you’ll discover effective, research-based brain-boosting activities and practices that parents can do at home to help children strengthen their brains and prepare for the year ahead. These activities support social-emotional skills, behavior regulation, and academic growth. The strategies shared are practical for children of all ages—and even for adults!

This virtual session will meet on May 12, 2026 at 12:00 pm

To register:

https://region10.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DQIJmNjiQwGhwADKdjlXTg#/registration

If you believe your child has a disability and because of that disability

might need special education services at school, please contact:

Stephanie Milne

Director of Special Education

Stephanie.Milne@hpisd.net

806-322-3806