PENNSYLVANIA CHAPTER MEETING

Ask the Advocates

Friday, November 7, 2014

• 7:00 - 7:15 PM Parent Support and Networking
  7:15 PM Introduction and Meeting Presentation
• Saint Alban's Episcopal Church
  3625 Chapel Road
  Newtown Square, PA 19073
• Driving Directions
  
  
  Expert Education Advocate Panel: Melissa Bilash, Cris Flick, Katelyn Loveland, and Dottie Slamon
  
  Got Questions? Get Answers! Whether you are new to the special education process or just need a few questions answered, our professional advocates will help you understand your child’s education rights and how to get the most appropriate placement as well as services. Learn the special ed lingo, what you should be documenting, and other information that may not be readily available. Don’t sign that IEP without attending our November meeting until you take advantage of this opportunity to have your questions answered by these professional advocates, and all without spending a dime!
  
  Melissa Bilash is one of only 100 people in the United States to have successfully completed the nationally recognized and intense training program, Special Education Advocates Training (SEAT). This is the ONLY Federal Training program that exists to date. SEAT is a joint initiative of The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. (COPAA) and The Center for Disability Studies and Community Inclusion at the University of Southern California University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. SEAT develops a national training curriculum under an Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Research and Innovation Model Development Grant. The goal of SEAT is to create standardized training curricula, materials, guidelines, and protocols for class instruction. In furtherance of this goal, SEAT offered a unique training program for special education advocates. The training explored in-depth the intricacies of IDEA, Section 504, IFSPs, IEPs and ISPs. Trainees under the SEAT advocate training program were required to successfully complete approximately 115 hours of coursework as well as a six-month practicum (internship) with an experienced special education attorney or advocate. Melissa completed her practicum under the guidance under a local special education attorney. The training covered in depth exploration of IDEA, Section 504, IFSP, IEP and ISPs. Both the practicum hours and the in class experience were graded to determine successful understanding of the needed concepts to practice as a special education advocate.
  
  Cris Flick
  Cris created Fick Educational Services, LLC in 2004. She graduated from West Chester University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in special education and earned a Master of Arts degree in education from Gratz College in 2007. Cris holds a Professional Level II Teaching Certificate from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and is certified to teach in Pennsylvania. She also holds a Professional Certificate in Special Education K-12. Cris has extensive training and experience in various curriculums and programs that work to produce academic success and functional life success. She is also skilled in techniques that address social skills and behavior challenges. Cris works both with the students and their parents. She holds various parent trainings throughout the year. Cris has worked in various settings throughout her career with individuals that exhibit a wide range of special education needs. Her business has focused on those with learning disabilities, other health impairments, Autism Spectrum Disorders, behavioral challenges, social skills needs and educational needs. She is passionate about delivering education and advocacy that fosters confidence and encourages individuals to be successful learners. She loves to advocate and see each child feel successful and accomplished. Cris resides in West Chester with her husband and 3 children, 2 of which currently have IEP’s.
  
  Katelyn Loveland, M.Ed., BCEA
  Packing her bags and headed to Savannah College of art and design, one little boy changed Katelyn’s life forever when a “temporary”position as a one on one home therapist began a dedicated journey in special education. She then created and ran two home ABA Verbal Behavior programs while completing her undergraduate degree in both Special and Elementary Education. She continued to work in in a Verbal Behavior classroom for 6 years beginning as a one on one Instructional Assistant and ultimately progressing to teacher. She than moved and took a position as a Learning Support teacher for 3rd and 4th grade supplemental and itinerant support. Katelyn now holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in literacy as well as a Board Certification for Educational Advocacy. Her next educational venture is to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with classes scheduled to begin in 2015. Currently, Katelyn has resigned as a special education teacher in order to provide guidance, education, and support to the most essential advocates a child has, their parents and guardians. Her aspirations are to see a child reach their ultimate potential, attain their most valued goals, and become strong self-advocates. She is a Board Certified Educational Advocate through the National Special Education Advocacy Institute (NSEAI), privately practicing with Educational Ally across multiple districts, states, and serving children with a variety of disabilities and educational needs. She volunteers her time with NSEAI as their Registrar as well as a member of the Curriculum Committee.
  
  Dottie Slamon, BCEA
  Dottie began her advocacy journey when her youngest son was diagnosed with Autism in March 2000. She began doing research and successfully advocated the need for an ABA program in her home in Montgomery County PA. This early-intervention intensive program helped her son immensely throughout preschool and his successful transition to Kindergarten, but as years passed, it became apparent there was a need for a different education environment. With proper advocacy techniques and detailed documentation by a Board Certified Education Advocate, her son was placed in a more appropriate school environment where he can finally access his education. It was then she embarked on becoming a BCEA herself. Dottie has attended numerous Autism conferences including those offered by the Autism Research Institute and is a member of the Interactive Autism Network (IAN). She has attended Wrightslaw Boot Camp, PaTTAN Trainings, ASCEND Conferences and finally became a Board Certified Education Advocate in 2010 through the National Special Education Advocacy Institute (NSEAI). She then became a co-chair of the Chester County Right to Education Task Force from 2010 til 2012, where she focused on providing special education trainings at monthly meetings. During her term with the Task Force, she helped many families in meeting the educational needs of special children. Dottie has continued to volunteer at NSEAI, assisting in the trainings of new advocates yearly since 2010. She is currently an Administrative Coordinator and Board Certification Coordinator at NSEAI. Dottie is also in private practice, specializing in Autism, with Paragon Advocacy Services, LLC where she provides education advocacy and consulting services in PA, MD and VA.

PENNSYLVANIA SPECIAL EVENT

Register for the Philadelphia Marathon, Half Marathon or 8K and support Talk About Curing Autism (TACA)!

November 21-23, 2014

Join the team and train with a group of like-minded Autism advocates this November 21-23rd. Raise $250+ Get a free race entry, personalized one-on-one training with an RRCA-certified distance running coach and Team TACA tech racing day shirt. Be the Top Fundraiser and get a free pair of running shoes!

Link and code required, to sign up for Team TACA contact: campaigns@tacanow.org or call 949-640-4401. Click here for more information.

Join TACA of Pennsylvania on Facebook!

TACA of Pennsylvania is on Facebook! Connect with your old and new TACA friends alike, online!

TACA en Espanol

Be a Part of TACA!
Give Back to Your Community!
Become a TACA Parent Mentor!

Are you a parent or primary care giver of a child (or adult) with autism? Do you have at least 2 years of experience implementing biomed? Do you know about your local resources? Would you like to give back to your community and become a volunteer TACA Parent Mentor?

We would love to hear from you. If you meet these requirements and you are interested in volunteering, sign up on our website here:
www.tacanow.org/about-taca/parent-mentor-program/

Thank you!
Moira Giammatteo
Program Manager Scholarships, Mentors
and Parent Support

How TACA Helps Pennsylvania Families

TACA does not charge admission to the meetings, nor does it assess annual membership fees for families it supports. Meetings feature:

• Free TACA Autism Journey Guides (over 750 pages of collective knowledge gathered from experienced paraprofessionals and parents) are offered to all parents who are attending their first Chapter meeting.
• Speakers on topics ranging from traditional therapies, integrated medical treatments, education, and legal support.
• TACA's Parent Mentors - one-on-one access to experienced families who have successfully navigated the challenges of finding appropriate treatments and educational opportunities for their children, and who receive additional education from TACA's Foundation Office.