September 3, 2009 Meeting Minutes
Lynn Wiltrout called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
In attendance were: Lynn Wiltrout, Mitzi Miller, Toni Lozar, Pam Olszewski, Sue Schmidt, Scott Martin, Rikki Wilson, Linda Chernitsky, Gail Mallory, Chuck Mallory, and Anita Walters.
Introductions were made.
A discussion ensued about some changes at IU1.
Old Business
Minutes can be changed before they are approved. The minutes cannot be changed after they have been approved. If they have already been approved, you must have them approved with corrections. Once approved the meeting minutes stand as read.
A motion was made by Mitzi to approve the June minutes. Sue seconds the motion.
New Business
Lynn reviewed the information that was given out in the packets. There were several items from PEAL in the packet and Lynn briefly explained what PEAL does and went over some of the conferences that they are holding.
Dispute Resolution training will be held at the IU1 Central Office on September 22, 2009, and September 23, 2009.
Mitzi advised the group about PEN (Parent Education Network) in case someone was interested in getting help from PEN. She also added that parents could get some help from chadd.org.
Lynn advised the group that speaker's need scheduled for the upcoming year. Mitzi has asked Representative Tim Solobay to come and speak and answer questions and concerns of parents at one of our meetings. He will be speaking on education and the budget. He could pass our message along. If he is going to speak, we need to draw a bigger crowd. Once he contacts Mitzi, we can put him into one of the open forum slots.
Lynn talked to a presenter from the medical assistance office and she may be coming in October to speak. This person wants to explain what the loophole law is and how it is changing. Lynn will get the information if she can. Sue asked what county the lady is from. She doesn't think that the medical assistance transfers county to county. Sue has had an issue with a county not accepting medical insurance from an out of county. Mitzi will ask the speaker about this issue when she presents next month. Mitzi and Lynn both stated that medical assistance is a state run insurance and the county shouldn't be able to state where you can use it. Anita asked about the recertification for loophole. Mitzi advised it used to be two years, but it has now changed to every year.
Lynn asked for any other suggestions for speakers. Pam would like a presentation on the PASA. Toni will do the training on the PASA in March. Rikki advised Lynn that Donna wanted to hear someone present on Transition but she was not present at the meeting.
Mitzi wants to help educate parents so that they can take it upon themselves to get what they need from their district. Lynn thinks we should have a presentation on basic Special Education 101 to help parents understand what they need to do. Mitzi feels that if the districts would educate the parents so that they are not confused there wouldn't be as many problems. Parents do not understand the process and districts need to start educating them beginning at the IEP meeting. If we can draw those districts to our meetings we can explain this to them and possibly save them a lot of grief.
Mitzi would like to invite the LEAs and have a meet and greet Christmas party. Toni advised that the IU would provide the refreshments. Invitation will read to bring in superintendents, administrators, and LEAs.
Speakers for the 2009–2010 School Year:
- October — Medical Assistance Loop Hole Insurance
- November — Open Forum (Representative Tim Solobay) — This meeting is at Colonial School.
- December — Christmas Party Meet and Greet
- March — PASA by Toni Lozar
- April and May — Open Forum
- June — Open Forum
Mitzi will be presenting on the Local Task Force at the LEA Meeting on September 17, 2009, and at the Superintendents Advisory Council on September 22, 2009. She is going to try to get their representation at our meetings. She is going to explain that the LTF information needs to get handed out to their parents. The LEAs need to hand out the LTF brochure when they give the parents the procedural safeguards.
Toni advised Mitzi that Rikki asked the team secretaries to send out flyers and brochures to all of the parents of students in an IU1 program. Scott has added the LTF to the procedural safeguards notice for Bentworth.
Rikki will make pull off flyers for Lynn and Mitzi to distribute.
Open Forum
The parents discussed some of their individual problems and helped each other find ways to solve them.
Gail motioned to dose the meeting at 8:21 p.m., Sue second the motion. The next meeting will be held October 1, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at the IU1 Central Office.
