Massachusetts Special Education Surrogate Parent Program

08/19/2026

08/05/2026

Understanding the IEP process can help youth and families feel more prepared, informed, and confident during transition planning.

This RAISE tip sheet explains what an IEP is, the steps in the IEP process, key terms to know, legal rights, and tips for families to stay involved and advocate for needed supports. Check it out here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dmaxY4fOZ3JJBCkutWEyjYY4_J6wWDQY/view?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign&utm_content=ap_kqmwhgqp2w

08/05/2026

Have you heard? 🗣️

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has released new guidance and an FAQ related to the amended regulations on restraint, seclusion, and time-out practices.
The amended regulations take effect August 17, 2026. Schools, districts, collaboratives, and programs should review their current policies, training, and practices now to prepare for implementation.

Learn more and review the DESE guidance: http://bit.ly/DESE-Seclusion?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign&utm_content=ap_cixqqrkp3v

08/05/2026

Dysgraphia is often misunderstood as “messy handwriting,” but it is much more than that. For many children, writing is physically demanding, mentally exhausting and can stop them from showing what they truly know.

Recognising the signs early can help us replace frustration with understanding and put the right support in place.

📍Save this post so you can refer back to it if writing is becoming a daily struggle for a child you know.

Hashtags

08/05/2026

Neurodivergent children are often early adopters of technology, making supported online experiences especially important.

Our latest guide helps parents and educators understand how to create safe, positive digital environments.

It explores key considerations, including:
• Modelling responsible online behaviour
• Setting age-appropriate boundaries
• Encouraging open and supportive conversations
• Understanding emerging risks such as AI-generated content

The guide also highlights the importance of balancing screen time with offline activities to support wellbeing and development.

Download the guide here: https://vist.ly/536kq

08/05/2026

In the hype around AI, it’s easy to forget that digital literacy is the real foundation.

Before students (or educators) can use AI wisely, they need the ability to:

1. Search and navigate digital content effectively
2. Evaluate credibility and relevance
3. Synthesize information from multiple sources
4. Collaborate and communicate responsibly online
5. Reflect on their choices and practice ethical digital behavior

That’s digital literacy. And without it, AI literacy has no ground to stand on.

In this visual, I’ve broken down digital literacy into its core components, skills, and connections to AI.

Free PDF version in the first comment if you’d like to use it in your PD, classroom, or workshops.

References:
Bawden, D. (2008). Origins and concepts of digital literacy. In C. Lankshear & M. Knobel (Eds.), Digital literacies: Concepts, policies and practices (pp. 17–32). Peter Lang.
Gilster, P. (1997) Digital Literacy . New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Pool, C. R. (1997). A New Digital Literacy: A Conversation with Paul Gilster. In Educational leadership (Vol. 55, Number 3, pp. 6-). Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Reedy, K. (2018). The trouble with terminology: Reframing digital literacy for the student experience. In Digital Literacy Unpacked (pp. 13–23). Facet Publishing.
Lankshear, Colin, and Michele Knobel. New Literacies: Everyday Practices and Social Learning, McGraw-Hill Education, 2011.

08/05/2026

Our 9th Annual campaign is back, and we’re giving one deserving current PreK–12+SE teacher:

🎒
Up to $500 in classroom supplies from their wish list from Enchanted Fireside

🍀
A $100 Quinn's Irish Pub gift card, generously donated by our wonderful business neighbor!

Whether they inspired your child, changed your life, or go above and beyond every day, now is the perfect time to recognize them.

Nomination Deadline: August 5

How to Nominate:
Comment on this original Facebook post (not on a shared post) with:
• Teacher’s Name
• School
• Grade

Or email your nomination to:
📧 [email protected]

💬 We’d love to hear why you’re nominating them! Every comment counts as one entry, so please nominate one teacher per comment.

⚠️ If you nominate on a private neighborhood page, please email us a screenshot so we can be sure your teacher is included.

🎉 One lucky teacher will be randomly selected from all eligible entries and announced on Facebook Live.

Let’s celebrate the incredible educators who make a difference every single day. ❤️

🌐 Learn more about Enchanted Fireside:
https://enchantedfireside.com

07/20/2026

Child Welfare journal is pleased to announce publication of our latest special issue, “Supporting Students Experiencing Foster Care in Higher Education.”

This issue, developed in partnership with the Embark Georgia Center at the University of Georgia, brings together scholarship and perspectives from across disciplines and sectors to explore how students experiencing foster care (SEFC) are supported through campus initiatives, community partnerships, state networks, and federal programs. The issue centers innovative practices, highlights effective policies, and amplifies the voices of youth and community partners. Lori Tiller, Katherine Rose Adams, Grace Bagwell Adams, and Imani N. Callan have served as special issue guest editors.

To find out more, and to download and purchase: https://www.cwla.org/cwj-special-issues/

07/20/2026

CWLA partner the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, along with The Harris Poll, an independent research company, is gathering the perspectives of child welfare professionals across the United States about best practices and any perceived barriers to achieving legal permanency for children waiting in foster care.

From now until July 31, access the survey at https://surveys.harrisinsights.com/survey/selfserve/53b/2606126?list=opn&srce=19

All responses are strictly confidential.

Your participation in this important research will inform campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of permanency for every waiting child and the creation of resources to support child welfare professionals in this life-changing work.

07/20/2026

Why REquipment?

Because a Hampshire College student learned their insurance would only cover a wheelchair for use at home, not for use at school, work, or in the community.

They were soon exhausted from pushing a manual hospital-style chair around campus and spent weeks unable to leave home.

Then, in the spring of 2026, they received a free power chair from REquipment.

"It changed my life," they wrote to us. "I was able to finish my degree in Critical Disability Studies, and I am on track to work full-time with the assistance of my power chair. My insurance company did not care if I graduated from college, but REquipment did."

Congratulations to all the college graduates in the REquipment program family.

We are so proud of you.

Happy Disability Pride, too.

UCP of Western Massachusetts
Stavros Center For Independent Living
AdLib Center for Independent Living
Your Access Advocates
Northeast Independent Living Program
CORD - Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled
Disability Resource Center
SCIL, Southeast Center for Independent Living
Independence Associates