| Parents' Guide to I.E.Ps.  Educational success is critical for a child's development and future. Yet many children struggle in school for a variety of reasons. One common cause is a learning or other disability that impedes their progress.
These kids are eligible for an Individualized Education Program, or I.E.P., which acts as a blueprint for success, mapping out how a child learns best and how teachers can work within that framework. Sometimes I.E.P.s are initiated by the school, but parents can also request an evaluation. Here are a few things every parent should know.
The Disability: I.E.P.s help with a broad range of disabilities related to learning, communication, health, autism, developmental delay, hearing, vision or emotional disorders.
The Team: An I.E.P. is a team effort between you and your child's teacher. You can also include input from therapists, administrators, DCF workers or anyone you think will be helpful. Students over 14 are encouraged to participate.
The Process: First, a child's learning process is evaluated by a professional at the school. Then the team meets to develop a custom plan to help the child reach educational goals. I.E.P.s are reassessed throughout a child's time in school.
Not About Separation: An I.E.P. does not necessarily mean a child will end up in a special classroom. In fact, the goal is to keep students in mainstream classrooms wherever possible. Most commonly, it involves tailoring lessons to a child's specific style of learning.
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MAFF Book Corner  Helping your Biological Children Adjust to Foster Siblings
Welcoming a child living in foster care into your family is a big adjustment for every one. If there is a biological child living at home, his world changes in big ways too. While much-needed focus is placed on helping the kids living in foster care adapt to a new environment, it can be difficult to explain all of the changes to a biological child and help him cope and thrive.
The Biological Kids' Guide to Surviving Life in a Foster Home was written by Jenifer Stockdale M.Ed., a foster mother who also grew up with foster siblings. The book explains some of the changes happening in the home, offers advice for interacting with the newest family members, and explains to biological children some of the challenges their foster siblings may be facing. The book is ideal for kids ages 8 and up.
Other Resources for Parents and Caregivers
For Foster Parents:
For Adoptive Parents: ____________________________________________________________________ An Afternoon on "Playful Parenting" with Lawrence Cohen, Ph.D  MAFF & Kid's Net Conference
Friday, October 26, 2012
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Holiday Inn
265 Lakeside Ave., Marlborough
Brookline native Dr. Lawrence Cohen believes children use play to explore the world, to express themselves and to try and understand what is happening around them. Therefore, for parents to build strong bonds with their children and to help children deal with their emotions, Dr. Cohen says parents need to join kids in their world of play.
Dr. Cohen, a licensed psychologist, pioneered "playful parenting," helping parents use positive interactions of play to build trust and happiness with their children. By nurturing close connections between parents and children in this way, Dr. Cohen believes parents can help children work through behavioral problems and build their self-confidence.
On October 26, 2012, Dr. Cohen will be headlining a conference hosted by MAFF and MSPCC's Kid's Net program, and will help foster, kinship and adoptive parents use playful parenting to build trust and deeper relationships with the newest members of their family. The conference is free, but registration is required. To register, call your local Kid's Net Director. Lunch is provided. There is no on-site child care available, but child care can be arranged by calling your Kid's Net Director.
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Save the Date! Upcoming Trainings for Foster Parents
 Every month, MSPCC's Kid's Net program offers nearly 50 trainings across the state for foster parents. CLICK HERE for a full list of trainings available September 2012 - January 2013.
Trainings in the Spotlight
Responding to the issues of Sexual Abuse
November 10, 2012 • 6 - 8 p.m. • Leominster, MA
Foster parents will learn the signs and symptoms of sexual abuse, how sexual abuse affects child growth and development and how to use appropriate interventions.
Cyber Safety
Multiple dates at locations across Mass.
Part of keeping kids safe means protecting them from online predators and cyber bullies. Foster parents will learn what to watch out for and how to help make sure their child is safe on the Internet.
Bonding with Your Foster Child
Multiple dates at locations across Mass.
There is always a period of adjustment for parent and child when a new child is brought into your home. Foster parents will learn strategies for building relationships and bonding with the newest member of their family.
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MAFF at Work for You on Beacon Hill
 Massachusetts Passed CHINS Reform!
For almost 40 years, when parents, teachers and police reached out for help with a child exhibiting high-risk behavior, help came with a trip to juvenile court and a probation officer.
More than 8,000 at-risk youth annually who struggled with mental health problems, substance abuse and trouble at home were processed through the Children in Need of Services (CHINS) system. CHINS absorbed kids who had not committed crimes into a system designed for criminals, and it tried to address behavior like truancy without addressing why children were struggling.
After a decade of advocacy, Governor Patrick signed a bill on August 7, 2012, reforming the CHINS system, giving parents, schools and police another option: services like counseling in community based settings.
This is a huge win for kids. It means that the first stop for struggling youth won't be a courthouse. Children and families will be able to access counseling and other services in community resource centers without the stigma associated with the court system. Parents can better seek help for their kids without assuming an adversarial role. Most important, kids will have a better chance of staying in their homes, in school and out of the criminal justice system.
 An Update on the Tuition Waiver Program for FY 13
The tuition waiver program provides crucial financial assistance for DCF-involved youth who enroll in a state university. CLICK HERE for more info.
Because the FY13 budget for this program is not sufficient to cover all statutorily eligible students, the Department of Higher Education has implemented a back up provision calling for the available funds to be given to students with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of less than $10,000. This means that the vast majority of youth who aged out of care will receive the waiver, but most adopted children will not.
In the coming year, MAFF will make it a top priority to secure the funding needed to support all eligible youth and to ensure that this waiver becomes a reliable source of support for youth in the future. Stay tuned for action alerts!
SPEAK OUT! CLICK HERE to receive action alerts and advocacy initiatives that affect your kids.
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