JANUARY 23, 1998 .........................................................................NUMBER 76
TOPICS IN THIS ISSUE INCLUDE:
NICOLE HARPER SPEAKS ON BEHALF OF PARENTS AND PARENT CENTERS
CHILDREN'S ISSUES PRESENTED TO WHITE HOUSE LEADERS
SEND CONGRESS A MESSAGE FOR VALENTINE'S DAY
It has been a very busy week in Washington. Just about everyone has returned from the holiday break, so the phones are ringing and "mucho" meetings are being planned. This week's happenings.........
NICOLE HARPER SPEAKS ON BEHALF OF PARENTS AND PARENT CENTERS
On Tuesday evening at the Newseum in Arlington, VA, Nicole Harper from the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) represented the parent perspective on the Secretary's Town Hall Satellite Meeting. For the first time, the subject this month for the Secretarial Series was focused on children with disabilities and their families. Leading the panel was Secretary of Education, Richard Riley and Judith Heumann, the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. On the panel with Nicole were William Henderson, the Principal of the O'Hearn School in Boston, Mark Donovan, Executive Director of the Marriott Foundation for People with Disabilities, and Julie Ashworth from Sioux Falls, SD (she was the Teacher of the Year in SD). Some of the key subjects discussed were high expectations for students, expanded parent involvement, and inclusion of students in testing. This program is available on request, call 1-800-USA-LEARN for a copy of the tape. It was an excellent program.
NPND's COMMENTS ON REGS
Visit the NPND website for the NPND's commentson the Regs, along with the four page letter.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES PRESENTED TO WHITE HOUSE LEADERS
A group of children's advocates were invited to the White House to discuss the President's initiative regarding President Clinton's Child Care Initiative. In a very good exchange of ideas, advocates pressed the case that children with disabilities need to be mentioned in all sections of the new Child Care Initiative. In last week's Friday Fax, we asked parents to contact the President to assure inclusion of children with disabilities in all of his plans for children. Thank you to all of you who wrote and called last week. They heard our message. Kudos to the leaders at the National Easter Seal Society for taking the lead on this effort.
We received a summary of the initiative released on January 7th which will be posted on the NPND website under the "Hot off the Press" section.
DAVID HOPPE HONORED
David Hoppe, Chief of Staff for Majority Leader Trent Lott, received a plaque on behalf of the Parent Training and Information Centers from the Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers on Thursday at their annual meeting. David was honored for his tremendous leadership in the Reauthorization of IDEA. The award commended him for his patience and courtesy in facilitating the efforts of all involved in the tumultuous process of reauthorization! The award was presented by the President of PACER, along with Paula Goldberg, Alliance Co-Director.
CONGRATULATIONS DAVID ON BEHALF OF ALL PARENTS.
WE THANK YOU!!!!!!
GOOD RUMORS
Friday Fax heard this week that the President has included a line item in his budget, coming out February 3rd, for FAMILY SUPPORT. The figure discussed was $5 million. Family Support is the "Part I" of IDEA before reauthorization. We have until September, 1998 to find a new "home" for this program. It is fantastic to have this line item in the President's budget. The goal is to find that new home and make sure that the line item becomes a reality in the final budget to be passed this year. Friday Fax will work on this and keep you posted!!!
SANDY BROOKS...PASSED AWAY
Sandy Brooks, of the Parent Information Center in NH, passed away this past Sunday. She died at home, surrounded by her family and friends. Sandy worked with many of us across the nation to help our families serve our children with special needs better. The family has suggested that donations in her name be sent to the American Cancer Society. Please call the NH PTI offices at (603) 224-7005 and ask for Bonnie Dunham if you would like more details.
SEND CONGRESS A MESSAGE FOR VALENTINE'S DAY
"Home is Where the
Is!" In March '98 the Health and Environment subcommittee of
the Commerce Committee will hold hearings on MiCASA,
HR2020. You can help make MiCASA a reality. See the NPND website
for more details.